Mindanao Times, July 4-5, 2022

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FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte speaks before the crowd attending the free concert for his homecoming after serving six years in Malacañang. The concert, dubbed “Salamat Tatay Digong,” was held at NCCC Mall VP last June 30.

BING GONZALES

On the backburner • Marcos still mum on peace agenda; has yet to name Peace Adviser

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. mentioned Ukraine twice in his 25-minute inaugural address on Thursday but was mum on what his peace agenda is or how he would address the urgent issues in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Marawi rehabilitation and the communist insurgency — issues he did not also tackle during the campaign period or in post-election statements.

Marcos took his oath The Presidential Ad- members Rodrigo Duterte as President last Thursday viser on the Peace Pro- announced in mid-May but he has yet to name his cess was among the first 2016 when he was still Peace Adviser. batch of proposed Cabinet presumptive President. He

w w w. m i n d a n a o t i m e s . c o m . p h

named his classmate and fellow Dabawenyo, Jesus Dureza, who had earlier served that post under the Arroyo administration.

Duterte’s inaugural address devoted three paragraphs to the peace process: that he was “committed to implement all signed peace

Mindanao Times

agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms” – referring to the agreements with the Moro liberation fronts and the National Democratic Front, that he was “elated by the expression of unity among our Moro brothers and leaders, and the response

@mindanaotimes

of everyone else to my call for peace” and that he was looking forward to the “participation of all other stakeholders, particularly our indigenous peoples, to ensure inclusivity in the peace process.” ( / ON / 10) mindanaotimes

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News

MINDANAO TIMES

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

OUTGOING first-termer 1st District Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata receives recognition during the 19th council farewell session last June 28. Morata withdrew her bid for reelection in the last election. BING GONZALES

P312-K worth of cigarettes, drugs seized at checkpoints

BY RHODA GRACE B. SARON

MORE THAN P300,000 worth of shabu and illegal cigarettes were seized by authorities in separate incidents in Barangay Sirawan and Lasang checkpoints on July 2.

First, the Task Force rong, Sultan Kudarat, on- the filing of an appropriate Davao and the Davao City board a public utility van. charge for violation of RA Police Office seized almost During the mandatory 9165 (Comprehensive DanP12,000 worth of illegal passenger inspection, De- gerous Drugs Act of 2002). drugs from a van passenger ma-ala said authorities inOn the same day, three at a checkpoint in Lasang, tercepted from the suspect individuals were busted Bunawan District on July 2 a sachet of suspected shabu with nearly P300,000 worth at 1:30 a.m. weighing more or less 0.74 of illegal cigarettes at the Capt. John Louie De- grams with an estimated Sirawan checkpoint in Toril ma-ala, Task Force Davao street value of P11,840.

District. spokesperson, identified The suspect was imAuthorities arrested him as Vincent Francisco mediately turned over to Rajiv A Radjail, 36, marBantilan, 34, married, a the Bunawan Police Station ried and a resident of Isla resident of Buenaflor, Tacu- for proper disposition for ( / P312-K / 10)

CSWDO hands out cash, food packs to flood victims THE CITY Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), distributed food packs and cash assistance to the families affected by the 2011 Matina Pangi flashflood on Tuesday, June 28.

The date marked the eleventh anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the

lives of 31 people.

CSWDO assistant department head Perla Redulosa said that the city has continued to provide the flashflood victims with financial support even if the tragedy occurred 11 years ago, and will continue to do so in the years to come. ( / CSWDO / 10)

Mothballed airport expansion in Mati City receives fresh life

BY CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO

DAVAO CITY – The Davao Oriental government has renewed its call for the expansion of the long-abandoned airport in Mati City, Davao Oriental after it initially secured funding to pay for the lot where it was built in the 1980s.

The former governor of the province, now First District Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang, turned over half of the amount for the land acquisition to the owners of the property before stepping down from his previous post on June 30. (

The budget, secured from the national government, for the land acquisition was P200 million, including other fees. The acquired property is at 174,040 square meters and is owned by the Rabat and Rocamora clan. / MOTHBALLED / 10)

Davaoeños assess Duterte’s best and worst as President DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – The “best legacy” of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is his “Build, Build, Build program,” businessman Vicente Lao, chair of the Mindanao Business Council, said, as he noted that Mindanao “experienced a massive boost in our infrastructure projects.”

Duterte, the country’s President from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022, is the first Mindanawon to lead the na-

tion.

“The problem is he forgot to assist the farmers and fisherfolk in Mindanao in their livelihood program,” said Lao, who owns a construction firm that has been doing several government-funded projects.

Dr. Jean Lindo of Gabriela Women’s Party said “the best for me was the initial move to be more inclusive.”

Lindo, an anesthesiologist, remembers how at the

start of his administration, Duterte appointed the “traditionally, politically excluded personalities” like Gina Lopez, Judy Taguiwalo, Liza Maza, among others, “although, maybe, he was just testing the waters.”

“He started with the peace talks, but I think there was a slump when it got to the discussion of socioeconomic reforms,” Lindo said.

“The worst for me was Martial Law in Mindanao, the

rise of the neo-oligarchs (my term, in contrast to the traditional ones), the Build Build Build, which was just a rehash of the old programs. There was not much about social development programs which continued as a mechanism for patronage politics,” she said.

For Lindo, Duterte “did well” as mayor “and I sincerely believed the local initiatives then like nuclear-free city ordinance, ban on aerial

(

/ DAVAOEÑOS / 11)

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VP Sara opens 6 satellite offices

BY RHODA GRACE B. SARON

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte on Saturday, July 2 announced the opening of satellite offices in six regions in the country to speed up government services.

The satellite offices day as the country’s vice dente, nagbukas po tayo are three in Mindanao, two president to give people ng mga satellite office in the Visayas, and one in in the six regions quick sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng Luzon. and easy access to services bansa upang matulungan Duterte said the six from her office. ang ating mga kababayan satellite offices were "Sa aking unang buong na magkaroon ng madali opened during her first araw bilang bise presi- at agarang access sa mga

Ex-rebels surrender

BY RHODA GRACE B. SARON

TWO NEW People's Army (NPA) leaders and a medic surrendered to the soldiers of 58th Infantry at Sitio Anahaw, Barangay Bantaawan, Gingoog City, on July 1.

The military identified one rebel as Romania, 42, a former political guide of Platoon Falcon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 1. He narrated how he was deceived by the false promises of the rebel group which pushed him to surrender.

1Lt. Claudine Robledo, civil-military operations officer, said Neiljan, 29, a vice-commander under SubRegional Committee (SRC), and his wife, Ariel, a medic of Platoon Falcon, SRC 1, also surrendered to the Army.

Robledo said the couple surrendered due to the hardships and deception they had experienced from the rebel group.

Moreover, they also turned over an M-16 improvised into a sniper rifle with magazines and ammunitions, an improvised explosive device (IED), two blasting caps, and ten- meter detonating

cord.

Furthermore, the said surrenderees are currently under the custody of 58IB and would be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), which they will be expected to receive more than P200,000 financial assistance.

Meanwhile, in his statement, 402nd Brigade commander BGen. Adonis Ariel Orio commended the troops for their tireless efforts that resulted in the successful surrender of teh rebels.

“I congratulate the troops of 58IB for this achievement.

Indeed, this is attributed to all of their hardworking personnel as a result of relentless efforts and diligence," Orio said.

He added the surrender was also made possible with the support and efforts made by the NTF-ELCAC, local government units, and the rest of the community.

"However, this is my call to the remaining CNT members as I urge you to choose the path of peace, the Stingers

(

/ EX-REBELS / 11)

serbisyong mula sa Office of the Vice President (On the my first day as the vice president, we opened satellite offices across the country to help people get quick access to services from the Office of the Vice President)," she said on her

Facebook page.

The new offices are in Dagupan City for the Ilocos Region, Cebu City, Tacloban, Zamboanga City, Tandag City in Surigao del Sur, and Davao City where Duterte served as mayor before her rise to the vice

presidency.

Also, during the first day of her term as Vice President, Duterte together with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended a Eucharistic mass at San Miguel Church in Malacañang.

STRANDED NO MORE:

231 pilgrims on their way to Mecca

CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews) –The remaining 231 stranded Muslim pilgrims finally left for Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Friday night and Saturday, ending two weeks of stressful delay at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Malo Manonggirin, officer in charge of the Bureau of Pilgrimage and Empowerment at the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos’ (NCMF) said 171 left Friday evening and the last batch of 60 on Saturday.

This year’s Hajj is from July 7 to 12. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which every adult Muslim must do at least once in his or her lifetime.

Saudi Arabia opened the holy city of Mecca for a million foreign and domestic pilgrims this year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 2.5 million would go to Mecca to perform the Hajj but the number was limited to 10,000 domestic pilgrims in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, and 60,000 domestic pilgrims in 2021, the second year of the

pandemic.

It is the first time this year that foreign pilgrims are being allowed but they must be under 65, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before departure for Saudi Arabia.

At least 966 pilgrims – not 3,200 as other reports indicate — mostly from Lanao del Sur, were stranded at the NAIA since June 19 because of the delay in the release of their visas.

NCMF Commissioner Yusoph Mando said Philippine embassy officials led by Consul General Rommel Romato welcomed those who arrived in Riyadh last Thursday.

“Alhamdulillah! All of the pilgrims can leave for the Hajj,” Mando said.

The plight of the Muslim pilgrims left stranded for days in NAIA prompted Lanao del Sur’s congressional representatives — first-termer Zia Alonto Adiong (1st District) and Yasser Alonto Balindong (2nd District) to call for an

investigation.

January 25 to February 24, In a statement on June 28, as part of efforts to make Adiong and Balindong said registration easier for those they want to trace the root intending to perform the Hajj. causes why this incident hapOn May 21, the DFA, pened despite the yearly Hajj through the Office of Consular pilgrimages.

Affairs, announced that it was “There is a glaring lack working with the NCMF to of concern and empathy for extend passport assistance by Muslim Filipinos and we can- opening walk-in accommodanot stand idly as their energy tions at the courtesy lane of and resources wear thin,” the DFA in all consular offices they said. nationwide but the delays still They added that the prob- happened. lem of stranded pilgrims could “Given the urgency and have been prevented because importance of the Hajj as Muslim Filipinos make the one of the pillars of our faith, annual pilgrimage, except for there is no excuse for the sufthe pandemic years of 2020 fering that these delays have and 2021. caused – and cost – our fellow The two said they could Muslim Filipinos,” the Joint not understand why existing Statement read. policies failed despite the In a statement issued on coordination between the June 27, a day before Adiong’s NCMF and the Department of and Balindong’s, reelected Foreign Affairs (DFA). They Basilan Representative Munoted that the NCMF through jiv Hatmaan also called for the BPE, is primarily respon- a congressional review, “into sible for the administration of the reported failure” of the the annual Hajj preparations NCMF to secure travel visas for Muslim Filipinos in the for the Hajj pilgrims stranded Philippines, and this year, eve in Metro Manila. implemented an electronic / 231 PILGRIMS / 11) Hajj (eHajj) registration from (

NEW Cotabato City officials belonging to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party led by Mayor Bruce Matabalao and Vice Mayor Joharie Butch Abu take their oath of office on June 30 at Bajau Hall, Bangsamoro Government Complex before Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH H. CABRERA

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Business

MINDANAO TIMES

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

DELINQUENT BUSINESSES. Ten establishments received written notices from the SSS, which ordered business owners to settle the accumulated contribution delinquencies worth P853,670 through the Enhanced Installment Payment Program or PRRP 3 . (VPSB/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)

PH manufacturing conditions improve for 5 straight months

New DTI chief bares five priority programs MANILA – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual has identified his priority areas as the new chief of the agency.

During the turnover ceremony on Wednesday, which was only broadcast on Friday, Pascual cited that his priorities as new DTI chief would are the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); promoting the manufacturing sector; facilitating ease of doing business; attracting investments and expanding export markets; and restructuring the organization.

He said he envisions the expansion of MSMEs – from micro to small, small to medium, and medium to large enterprises.

This, he said, would be possible through adopting digital technology, innovation, linking MSMEs into the supply chain, developing regional industries, and improving their competitiveness.

Pascual also said MSMEs play a critical role in addressing challenges in food security in the country.

He likewise pledged to continue the One Town One Product and Shared Service Facility programs of the DTI

that were implemented in the past administrations.

For the manufacturing sector, Pascual said he eyes to continue DTI’s Manufacturing Resurgence Program and work on closing supply chain gaps in the local market.

He said the department would continue to update and craft industry roadmaps for sectors that will have massive job generation for the country.

As the world remains under a pandemic, Pascual targets to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector. “(W)e will also encourage international pharmaceutical companies operating domestically to contract their manufacturing to local players,” he said.

Pascual also aims to further strengthen the manufacturing of electronic goods and semiconductors amid the rise of data centers and hyperscalers amid the increase in digital activities globally.

He likewise echoed the vision of his predecessor Ramon Lopez to have integrated mineral processing in the country for value-adding activities instead of exporting minerals as raw materials.

(

/ NEW / 11)

MANILA – The performance of the domestic manufacturing sector has improved for five consecutive months in June this year, according to S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

Philippine manufactur- of 54.1 in May, S&P Global ing PMI in June recorded a said manufacturing perforscore of 53.8 amid a solid mance last month reflected rise in output due to strong solid growth of the sector demands. as the country continues to Indices above 50 reflect recover from the coronavirus improvement in manufactur- pandemic. ing conditions, while below “Domestic demand rethe neutral mark mean dete- mained strong as the lifting of rioration of manufacturing pandemic restrictions allowed activities. customer activity to pick up,” Although the production S&P Global Market Intelindex was slightly lower in ligence economist Maryam June compared to the score Baluch said on Friday.

SEC 10 serves CDO vs Wellcons CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in an order dated June 23, 2022, has issued cease and desist order (Order) against Wellcons “Wellcons” Unlimited Systems Inc. to cease all of its operations. Following the date of the issuance, the Order was immediately served by the SEC Cagayan de Oro

(

/ SEC / 11)

The report added that Philippine-based factories have increased employ ment levels for two straight months in June. Hiring activities rose last month due to greater production requirements and a higher volume of new orders.

On the other hand, orders from foreign markets once again contracted in June due to weak international client demand and supply issues reported by manufacturers.

Export volumes have contracted since March this year,

S&P Global added.

It also cited that inflationary pressures remain a challenge for producers amid the higher energy costs and prices of raw materials.

On the back of rising oil prices and a faster inflation rate, the business confidence of manufacturers is at its lowest last month since April 2020.

“That said, businesses were more hesitant in their output expectations for the year ahead as downside risks to growth remain,” Baluch said. (PNA)

BOC logs a record monthly collection with P76-B in June THE BUREAU of Customs (BOC) recorded its highest monthly collection in history with P76.290 billion, surpassing its target of P56.287-B by P20.003-B or 35.5% based on the preliminary report from the BOC Financial Service.

Significantly, the BOC broke its previous highest monthly collection record of P70.778-B for March 2022.

The revenue collection for June also includes additional revenues from the Tax Expenditure Fund (TEF) collection of P301 million and the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) collection of P115.97 million. These

collection efforts also mark the 6th consecutive month of BOC exceeding its monthly target and achieving positive collection this year.

Based on preliminary report, 14 of the 17 Collection Districts were able to surpass its corresponding collection targets namely: San Fernando, POM, MICP, Batangas, Legaspi, Iloilo, Cebu, Surigao, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic.

Clark, Aparri, and Limay.

M o r e o v e r, th e B O C surpassed its midyear target collection of P327.812B

by P68.992B or +21.05% with an actual collection of P396.804B since January

2022. Remarkably, BOC’s cumulative or midyear collection this year is also higher by +31.5% or P95.058 billion than the P301.746 billion midyear collection in 2021.

The collection performance of the BOC and its 17 Collection Districts, under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, is attributed to the improved valuation of the bureau, digitized and modernized systems, the improving economy resulting in a higher volume of importations, and the intensified collection efforts of all the Collection Districts. BOC

Community

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

Camiguin child labor film bags 8 awards at the 2nd DOLEkula CAMIGUIN (PIA)-- A film that centers on child labor engagement won major prizes at the 2nd DOLEkula Mga Kwento ng Batang Malaya Film Festival of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, June 29.

The one-minute, no-dialogue social issue film on child exploitation and abuse entitled “Pangandoy sa Kalubihan” (Dream under the coconut trees) produced by DOLE Camiguin Provincial Field Office snatched the regional grand winner trophy while reaping 8 out of 12 minor awards for its total impact with consideration of all the areas of film making.

The film illustrates the story of 15-year-old ‘MacMac’ whose parents pushed him to become a farmer to support himself. Despite the challenges, he is full of hope and positivity, performing well as a top student until a tragedy happened that changes his life perspective.

Aside from taking home the grand prize trophy, Camiguin also swept the best oneminute film, best direction, best story, best cinematography, best production design, special Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) jury prize, best musical score. Cash incentives were also accorded to the winning entries.

DOLEkula or pelikulang DOLE is uniquely created as a platform significantly different from the typical film festivals. Six competing entries, including one guest entrant were given the general perspective onwards same direction—the elimination of child labor incidence.

DOLE-10 Regional Director Albert Gutib extolled the provincial and regional community facilitators with their heads of office for the success of the regional creativity to educate through the right information as an effective response to child labor.

For her part, BWSC director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla commended Gutib for continuously and actively implementing the Department’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program with a

ONE of the panel of judges Shaun Alegandrae Y. Uy of Philippine Information Agency-10 views the one-minuteno-dialogue social issue film on children exploitation and abuse entitled “Pangandoy sa Kalubihan” (Dream under the coconut trees) produced by the Department of Labor and Employment-10 Camiguin Provincial Field Office during the awarding ceremony, June 29, 2022, at DOLE-10 Activity Center, Cagayan de Oro City. (DOLE-10)

dedicated and untiring team as well as committed social partners to free and protect the children from exploitation and becoming child laborers.

“DOLEkula has once again produced mind and eye-catching short films about the plight of child laborers which are helpful in raising the awareness of the public on this issue of child labor.”

Trayvilla said.

Meanwhile, 2nd place and best editing winner of DOLE Lanao del Norte entitled “Tawid” is a story depicting the life of a child balut vendor showing glimpses of experiences in her nighttime journey through dark alleys and streets in the hopes of earning money including threats to physical safety, health and wellness, and even sexual abuse.

On 3rd spot is a story produced by DOLE Misamis Oriental entitled “Apartment,” a story of a young boy who optioned to work as a cemetery laborer whose dream is to be able to graduate from school amidst the challenge

of poverty his family faces.

The same entry won the audience choice award and the best performer in a lead role, respectively.

Other finalists are “Nahugnong Pangandoy” of DOLE Misamis Occidental, “Bendedor” from DOLE Cagayan de Oro City, “Bittersweet” by DOLE Bukidnon, and guest entry from the office of the regional director entitled “Padyak de Peligro” served as motivation, model and inclusivity embracing the vulnerability of the hapless child laborers needing government assistance as initiated by DOLE-10.

This activity serves as a humble contribution of the department in advocating to curb and address the rising incidence of child labor prevalent in the region.

The event highlighted the celebration of the 2022 World Day Against Child Labor with the theme, “Karapatan at Kalagayan ng Batang Mangagawa: Sagipin, Tugunan, at Protektahan ng Bayan.”

DOLE-10/PIA-10

DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment-10 awards Camigiun Provincial Field Office Chief Arlyn Bael (3rd from right) as the regional winner on their DOLEKula “Pangandoy sa Kalubihan” (Dream under the coconut trees) during the awarding ceremony, on June 29, 2022, at DOLE-10 Activity Center, Cagayan de Oro City. (DOLE-10)

MINDANAO TIMES

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Online filing ng retirement claim ng mga Self-employed Members edad 60 hanggang 64, mandatory na simula July 1 INANUNSYO ni Social Security System (SSS) President CEO Michael G. Regino na simula Hulyo 1, 2022 ay sakop na ng mandatory online filing ng retirement benefit ang mga self-employed members na may edad na 60 hanggang 64 taong gulang.

Nauna nang ipinatupad noong Hulyo 2020 ang mandatory online filing ng retirement benefit ng lahat ng employed members, voluntary members, landbased Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) members at self-employed members na may edad 65 taong gulang pataas.

“Simula pa noong 2015 ay naging available na ang ating online facility para sa mga miyembrong nasa technical retirement age na 65. Sa simula pa lang ng pandemiya, may mga enhancements na kaming ginagawa para mas simple at maginhawa ang kanilang pagpafile na hindi na nila kinakailangang pang sumadya sa mga sangay ng SSS. Ang kailangan lang nilang gawin ay i-access ang kanilang My.SSS account, i-click ang Apply for Retirement Benefit sa ilalim ng Benefits section ng E-Services tab, punan ang mga kailangang impormasyon, at isumite ang mga required supporting documents,” pahayag ni Regino.

Ang mga miyembrong may mga sumusunod na “special cases” sa benepisyo sa pagreretiro ay dapat pa ring pumunta at mag-file sa alinmang sangay ng SSS o foreign representative office:

May natitirang balanse sa Stock Investment Loan Program (SILP)/ Privatization Loan Program/ Educational Loan/ Vocational Technology Loan; May anak/mga anak na nasa ilalim ng kanilang pangangalaga; Kung saan ang miyembro ay walang kakayahan, nasa ilalim ng pangangalaga, o nakakulong sa isang naaangkop na institusyon tulad ng penitentiary, correctional institution, o rehabilitation center; May aplikasyon ng Portability Law o Bilateral Social Security Agreements; May adjustment o may re-adjudication ng claim; at May hindi nakuhang benepisyo ng isang namatay na miyembro Ang retirement benefit ay isang cash benefit na ibinibigay sa isang miyembro na hindi na makakapagtrabaho dahil sa katandaan at umabot na sa itinakdang edad ng pagreretiro. Ang kanyang benepisyo ay maaaring buwanang pensiyon para sa mga nagbayad ng hindi bababa sa 120 buwanang kontribusyon bago ang semestre ng pagreretiro o isang bigayan (lump sum) para sa mga nagbayad ng mas mababa sa 120 na kontribusyon.

Maaaring ma-access ang mga kwalipikasyon para makapag-apply sa benepisyo para sa pagreretiro sa https://crms. sss.gov.ph habang ang mga alituntunin at patakaran sa online filing ng nasabing benepisyo sa pamamagitan ng My.SSS Portal ay makikita sa https:// bit.ly/ SSSCI2021-021.

6

Opinion

MINDANAO TIMES

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

Daghang salamat Bernie, magpadayon mi DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) — He was buried today in gloomy weather. Saturday’s heavy downpour and overcast skies could easily have been interpreted as manifestations of heaven’s grief.

But the man who was buried this morning would have been more concerned about children and their families in bad weather.

He would have worried about mga bata and kabataan and their pamilya needing shelter; those under threat from flooding; and those who would be denied their day’s sustenance because the rains prevented them from working.

His work was an assertion that children have rights and that children’s rights are human rights.

As such, children cannot be denied these rights; and society cannot be arbitrary about what rights to prioritize, more so because these rights make up a coherent whole.

He reminded us that children and youth getting into conflict with the law are less about poor discipline and more about society’s failings.

Correspondents:

Published by Mindanao Times Corporation, with Editorial and Business Offices at Ponciano Reyes cor. Palma Gil St., Davao City.

Telephone numbers (082)227-3252 or 227-9535 local 24 and 300-0854, Fax - (082)225-0309.

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CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO Associate Editor:

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RHODA GRACE B. SARON SAMANTHA BURGOS NICOLE BURLAS WARREN ELIJAH VALDEZ

TRIBUTE Ma The situation of our children and youth are but products of what we have allowed our society to become over time: pronounced socio-economic inequities; government leaders who manipulate rather than serve people’s will; political divisions fueled by untruths; and intolerance that prevents authentic growth and connections.

Instead of benefiting from the best of our hopes, many Filipino children and youth today suffer from the worst of our fears.

Our fear of threats and disorder have made us susceptible to the lure of punitive blanket solutions.

And so, instead of being rehabilitated and reformed, many of our young who engaged in criminal acts had been incarcerated or worse, summarily killed.

To our shame, the foundations of our current sense Layout Artists:

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of security include acts of violence against children and violations of their rights.

We fear instability and mistake aspirations for change as malicious destabilization. Hence, we are quick to label youth expressions of their rights to association, free speech, and assembly as terroristic.

Never mind that in doing so, we put their lives and liberty at risk. Never mind that in doing so, we abet the stunting of our people’s political maturity and the weakening of institutions.

We value continuity and fear disruption and thus think that the transfer of political positions from older to younger members of a family is a matter of course.

But we discount the real nature and true costs and effects of political dynasties. With continuing poverty a reality in many areas where dynasties have reigned for generations, it can almost be said that dynasties are about securing the future of clan interests represented by a few children, to the detriment of the wellbeing of other and more children.

But Bernie Mondragon, whose person, work, and passing inspire these musings, would have wanted us to overcome the worst of our fears so we could provide the best of our hopes to our children and youth.

He was laid to rest today in gloomy weather. But his vision, passion, and energy will help sustain the work to respect, promote, protect, and fulfill children’s rights and all human rights.

Daghang salamat, Bernie. Magpadayon mi.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Mags Z. Maglana is a Mindanawon who has worked in various capacities for peace, good governance, sustainable development, and the promotion of human rights. She is one of the convenors of Konsyensya Dabaw. She was the lone woman among three candidates who challenged the reelection bid of Representative Paolo Duterte in the first congressional district. Duterte won. Maglana first posted this on her social media account. MindaNews was granted permission to share this)

Opinion

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

MINDANAO TIMES

7

Vacation DOHA, Qatar (MindaNews) -- For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), taking an annual vacation is one of the most exhilarating moments because it is when we can reunite with our families and loved ones at home.

As soon as our vacation is officially approved by the HR department, the happiness and excitement we experience would reach beyond the sky. We keep on thinking about it.

As a matter of fact, we rush to look for airline promotions so we could purchase the round-trip ticket as soon as possible.

Some of us would also think of the “pasalubong” we will bring to our immediate family members and special people in our lives.

Some OFWs, however, opt to ship packages home in advance because they could not carry all of the things they want to bring home as checked-in baggage due to the limited baggage allowance imposed by the airlines.

To make their vacation more meaningful, OFWs plan the itinerary and prepare a list of the things they want to do back home.

When our vacation ends, we’d look at the list and to check we’ve done what we set out to do.

It's funny and perhaps you won't believe it, but most OFWs, even when we have not yet begun our vacation, would already think of the native food we would eat back home.

We don't just miss our precious family at home, but also the food we used to eat with them.

The life of most OFWs revolves around work, home, eat, sleep and a repeat of this daily routine.

Going to work every day to perform our sworn duties as an employee is our main priority since it is the core reason why we work overseas in the first place.

Hence, the annual vacation is the best time for us to relax without thinking about any job for tomorrow.

“To rest well" in order to rejuvenate and invigorate

TAUSUG IN DOHA GAMSON JR MAWALLIL QUIJANO physically, mentally, and emotionally is the primary objective of OFWs going on vacation.

Delight fills us the moment we board the plane. We badly want to reduce the length of travel because we are eager to see our families and loved ones.

I recall a time when, as soon as the the wheels of the aircraft safely touched down at the runway, passengers on board could not help but squeal with euphoria, relief and gratitude for having arrived and returned safely to their homeland.

Imagine the feeling when you finally see once again the most important people in your life after having been away for such a long time? The moment when you can hug and touch them? When you can see the gay smiles beaming on their faces?

This is the priceless moment at the airport when they pick us up on the day of our arrival. Everyone is elated on this day.

Vacation is really important to us. It is the time when we can share personally with our families all the good and bad experiences we went through while we were away from them. Also, it’s the time that they could personally share theirs.

This is also the time we could eat together, see each other every day, go out for family bonding like going to the beach and doing some recreational activities together, and many more.

It’s all about togetherness. Being reunited after ages of distance.

Going on vacation is one of the happiest and most fulfilling things in the lives of OFWs. We pray this blissful feeling would never end.

But you know, when the vacation days are about to end, separation anxiety overwhelms us. The thought saddens us so much.

The feeling when we are still about to go on vacation and when the vacation is almost over is completely different.

We are so anxious about our family that we would be leaving behind again. Likewise, they are also woeful because we will be leaving them again shortly. And we would be seeing each other again only after a year.

One day before our flight back to work, a profound kind of sadness engulfs our hearts. There is a cloudless sorrow beyond the window of our eyes, albeit our tongues deny it.

The feeling that when we will bid farewell to our precious family members and you would say to them, “ba bye, kamaya’ kamu dii daran. Tumtumun ta isab kamu” (Goodbye, take care always here. You’ll surely be missed).

And they would reply with a heavy heart, “kamaya’ dakaw isab didtu daran, anak, tumtumun namu’ kaw. Kalasahan namu’ kaw” (Likewise, take care always there, our son.

You’ll surely be missed, too. We love you.)

Listening to our mutual farewells is utterly heartbreaking.

Being physically and distantly apart from our beloved families and those who are dear to us is one of the saddest things in life.

Before leaving our loved ones behind, we always remind them – and ourselves – that we will see them again.

Here's to seeing you again in the next vacation!

(Mindanawon Abroad is MindaNews’ effort to link up with Mindanawons overseas who would like to share their experiences in their adopted countries. Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano of Sulu is a registered Radiologic Technologist who works in Doha, Qatar. He came home for vacation last month and left Zamboanga for Manila on June 30 and Manila for Doha on July 1).

Let the voice of the people guide our way in Congress (Zia Alonto Adiong wrote this piece on June 30, 2022, the day he took his oath as 1st district representative of Lanao Del Sur. Adiong served as a member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from 2019 to 2022. He was the spokesperson of the Lanao Del Sur provincial government during the Marawi Siege in 2017).

At its very core, being elected into the House of Representatives means representing the people. It requires an understanding of their most urgent needs, responding to said needs in a meaningful and relevant way, and institutionalizing programs and policies to ensure reforms that can change people’s lives for the better.

But being in the House of Representatives following what seems to be the worst of an ongoing global pandemic, following the passage of a compensation bill that is meant to address the effects of a siege that has taken down most of our home city, and following recent reports of delays for Muslim Filipinos who hope to participate in the Hajj means constantly engaging and listening to the people as we collectively find solutions to our most pressing concerns.

From the Bangsamoro Parliament to the Philippine Congress, we will continue to bring the same commitment to addressing local issues, making the plight of our communities a part of the national agenda.

Upon the opening of the 19th Congress’ first session, we will immediately launch an investigation to identify the root causes of the problems encountered by Muslim Filipinos set to perform the Hajj this year and to look into legislative measures that will introduce necessary reforms to the process.

We will also look into the issue concerning Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO), as we work towards making sure that the people of Lanao del Sur will have access to much-needed electricity.

Also, a priority agenda is to earmark adequate funds for the operationalization and implementation of the Marawi Compensation Act, ensuring that the interests and welfare of its intended beneficiaries – many of them still internally displaced – are well-taken care of.

The success of the ongoing Bangsamoro peace process

BANGSAMORO SPEAKS ZIA ALONTO ADIONG is linked to the rights and welfare of those who have been affected by a long history of conflict and violence in the region. For this reason, we intend to immediately refile the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Bill and the Internally Displaced Persons Rights Bill. Both bills are intended to address the historical injustices and human rights violations in the Bangsamoro region, as the State guarantees non-recurrence through legislation.

We also intend to file measures related to the utilization, preservation, development, and rehabilitation of Lake Lanao and its watersheds, as we confront issues of land and climate justice.

Alongside these proposed measures, we will also work towards the activation of the Philippine CongressBangsamoro Parliament Forum and other mechanisms that strengthen intergovernmental relations to ensure the smooth and harmonious coordination between the National Government and the Bangsamoro Government.

In line with the pursuit of justice for all, we plan to review legislation and programs related to the Sharia Court System in the Philippines, including the feasibility of establishing a Sharia Appellate Court that will specifically receive and hear appeals on cases with decisions based on the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (Presidential Decree No. 1083).

The promotion of Halal industry is also among our priorities going into Congress, as well as highlighting the importance of Islamic banking and finance alongside the development of the Halal industry in the Philippines.

We will also explore the possible institutionalization of a zakat mechanism at the national level, as part of our work towards mainstreaming the needs and concerns of Muslim Filipinos in the Philippines.

Economic development from the grassroots would not be possible without the efforts of local micro-, small and medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), which is why

we intend to assist them in making sure that their products will consistently reach their target markets as they work on expanding their market demographic.

Food security requires strong agriculture and fisheries sector, and we intend to support the establishment of statesupported facilities dedicated to integrated and sustainable processing of local agricultural products.

A multisectoral approach to lawmaking is essential to making sure that the best interests of the people are represented in Congress. Legislation is ultimately letting the voice of the people guide the way we lead across all levels of government, in the same way, that the voice of the people led us to the positions of public service we now hold.

In the next three years, we hope to continue earning the trust and respect of the public as we work with them towards sustainable growth and development that is anchored on peace and justice.

JULY 04 & 2022 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31,05, 2016

All pawned items items that expired during the month All pawned that expired during theof MAY 2022, if not renewed or redeemed on or before month2022 of will MAY, 2015toifthenot renewed or reMAY be sold public on JULY 16, deemed on or before JULY 14, 2015 will be 2022 at 9:00a.m. at our pawnshop premises.

sold to the public on JULY 16, 2015 at 9:00 Gipahibalo ang tanan na ang FIRST COLOR a.m. at our pawnshop premises.

PAWNSHOP magasubasta sa tanan nga nag-expired sa bulan sa MAYO ang 2022.tanan Ang tanan ibaligya Gipahibalo na prenda ang FIRST sa publiko karong HULYO 16, 2022 sa alas COLOR PAWNSHOP magasubasta sa 9:00 tanansa buntag.

nga nag-expired sa bulan sa MAYO 2015.

Ang tanan prenda ibaligya sa publiko karong HULYO 16 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

DAVAO FIRST COLOR PAWNSHOP

#47 Lao St., Toril, Davao City Tel. No. 295-2460

9GEMS Pawnshop Inc. Egger Bldg., Matina Crossing Davao City Tel. No. (082) 285-7069

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE ALL PAWNED ITEMS EXPIRED ON MAY 2022 AND GADGETS THAT EXPIRES ON JUNE 2022 WILL BE DISPLAYED IN A PUBLIC AUCTION ON JULY 19, 2022 AT 9:00AM.

All Pawned items that expired until the month of APRIL 2022, must be redeemed or renewed Two (2) days prior the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises at 9:00 A.M. Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang GOLDVALUE PAWNSHOP, INC., maga subasata sa tanan nga nag-expired hangtod sa bulan sa ABRIL 2022, kung dili malukat ibaligya sa publiko sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES AUCTION DATE BAJADA JUNE 03, 2022 (Beside NBI Office) BABAK SAMAL JUNE 21, 2022 SAN PEDRO JUNE 10, 2022 CABAGUIO JUNE 28, 2022 TIBUNGCO JUNE 29, 2022

TEL. NOS. 321-8705 301-4019 227-6772 321-6223 222-2494

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

Toy Bldg., Lapu-lapu St., Agdao, Davao City

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE All Pawned Items that expired during the month of MAY 2022 must be renewed or redeemed Two (2) days before the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed or renewed, it will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises @ 9:00 A.M.

All pawned items that expired during the month of JANUARY 2022, if not renewed or redeemed on or before MARCH 15, 2022 will be sold to the public on MARCH 16, 2022 at 9:00a.m. at our pawnshop premises.

Gipahibalo ang tanan na ang AL-JOS PAWNSHOP magasubasta sa tanan nga nag-expired sa bulan sa ENERO 2022. Ang tanan prenda ibaligya sa publiko karong MARSO 16, 2021 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

Gibpahibalo ang tanan nga ang DIAGOLD PAWNSHOP, INC. magsubasta sa tanan nga nag expired hangtod sa bulan sa APRIL 2022, ang tanang prenda ibaligya sa publiko sa mga petsa na nakabutang sa ubos, sa oras nga 9:00 sa buntag.

EXPIRY DATES MAY 2022

AUCTION DATES JULY 07, 2022

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All pawned items that expired during the month of JUNE 2022 , must renewed or redeemed two (2) days prior to the Auction Schedule stated below. If not renewed or redeemed, it will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises @ 9:00 a.m.

Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang NARDING PAWNSHOP, INC., maga-subasta sa tanan nga nag-expired sa bulan sa HUNYO 2022. Ang tanan prenda ibaligya sa publiko sa mga petsa nga nakabutang sa ubos, sa oras nga 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES Matina Crossing Tibungco

AUCTION DATE JUNE 21, 2022 JUNE 17, 2022

TEL. NOS. (082) 321-1814 (082) 296-4130

PANABO’S PAWNSHOP, INC. Panabo (Main) Panabo (Branch)

JUNE 30, 2022 JUNE 15, 2022

(084) 628-8418 (084) 628-842

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE All pawned items that expired during the Months of MAY 2022 (Regular Items) and JUNE 2022 (Gadgets) must be redeemed or renewed two (2) days prior to the Auction date schedule as stated below. If not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on its respectively auction date schedule at its premises at 9:00 AM

Main – San Pedro Cor. Anda Street Davao City Tel. Nos. (082) 221-1477; (082) 221-0355; (082)222-5039 Email us @ rosegoldpawnshopdavao@gmail.com

Highest Appraisal and Low Interest Rates at 3% Rosegold Pawnshop Lapu-lapu Street, Agdao Davao City Tel. No. (082) 225-3637

Rosegold Pawnshop Ilustre Street, Davao City

(Beside NCCC Hardwaremaxx)

Tel. No. (082) 295-6199

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE All Jewelry and other articles pawned at Rosegold Pawnshop San Pedro-Main, Rosegold Pawnshop Ilustre, Rosegold Pawnshop Bolton, Rosegold Pawnshop, Agdao and Rosegold Pawnshop Buhangin from JANUARY 16, 2022 TO FEBRUARY 15, 2022. If not redeemed or renewed on or before JULY 15, 2022 will be sold to the Public Auction on JULY 18, 2022 at Rosegold Pawnshop San Pedro-Main from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

(Fronting Queen Bank) Tel. No. (082) 222-1561 ; (082) 321-0128 Email: goldstandardpawnshopdavao@gmail.com

Accepts: Jewelry, wholesaler and retailer on all kinds of jewelry Highest Appraisal and Low Interest Rates at 3%

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All jewelry and other articles pawned at Goldstandard Pawnshop San Pedro,Ilustre from JANUARY 16, 2022 TO FEBRUARY 15, 2022

if not redeemed or renewed on JULY 15, 2022 will be sold to the Public Auction on JULY 18, 2022 at our Pawnshop premises from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

BRANCHES: San Pedro (Main) Agdao Toril Bolton Digos City Claveria Km. 7 Lanang

AUCTION DATE JULY 15, 2022 JULY 15, 2022 JULY 15, 2022 JULY 15, 2022 JULY 15, 2022 JULY 15, 2022 JULY 15, 2022

TEL. NO. 327-8832 327-6275 327-8503 392-3022 333-9945 296-8081 235-3473

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE All pawned items at METRO GOLDBRILL PAWNSHOP that expired until the month of MAY 2022, if not redeemed or renewed on or before JULY 18, 2022, will be sold to the Public on JULY 20, 2022.

Gipahibalo and tanan na ang METRO GOLDBRILL PAWNSHOP magasubasta sa tanan nga nag-expired hangtod sa bulan sa MAYO 2022. Kung dili malukat sa dili pa moabot ang HULYO 18, 2022, ibaligya sa publiko karong HULYO 20, 2022.

EXPIRY DATES MAY 2022

AUCTION DATES JULY 20, 2022

EURO CIRCLE PAWNSHOP SAN PEDRO ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-0521

EURO MAIN PAWNSHOP ILUSTRE ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-7511 MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL - TEL. NO.: 306-0665

EURO STAR PAWNSHOP ILUSTRE ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-0667

EURO SUN PAWNSHOP

SAN PEDRO ST., DAVAO CITY - TEL. NO.: 227-3321

Roque Bldg., Matina Crossing, Davao City Tel. # 234-6367

PAWNS NOT REDEEMED/RENEWED WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER EXPIRY D AT E S W I L L B E A U C T I O N E D O N JULY 17, 2022 AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE RESPECTIVE PAWNSHOPS WHERE THE ITEMS WERE PAWNED.

All Pawned items at GOLDVISION PAWNSHOP, INC., that expired until the month of APRIL 2022, must be redeemed or renewed Two (2) days prior the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises at 9:00 A.M. Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang GOLDVISION PAWNSHOP, INC., maga subasata sa tanan nga nag-expired hangtod sa bulan sa ABRIL 2022, kung dili malukat ibaligya sa publiko sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES General Lao, Toril Agton. Toril Buhangin Magallanes Tagum Saavedra, Toril Agdao

AUCTION DATE

TEL. NO.

JUNE 15, 2022 JUNE 15, 2022 JUNE 14, 2022 JUNE 07, 2022 JUNE 24, 2022 JUNE 16, 2022 JUNE 18, 2022

291-2406 291-2952 241-0223 224-3138 216-3425 291-1349 327-2348

MAY 2022 JUNE 2022

JULY 15, 2022 JULY 14, 2022 DAVAO VAULT SP

JULY 14, 2022

Door #7Realty Bldg. beside Lakitan Mall San Pedro street, Davao City (Tel No.: 228-9322

GABBY’S BRILLIANT PAWNSHOP INC. / GABBY’S INFINITE PAWNSHOP INC. TEL NO.: 321-2185 / 234-4844

All Pawned items at GABBY’S BRILLIANT PAWNSHOP, INC. and GABBYS’S INFINITE PAWNSHOP, INC. that expired until the month of MAY 2022, must be redeemed or renewed Two (2) days prior the Auction Schedule stated below. If not redeemed will be sold to the public on its respective auction schedule and premises at 9:00 A.M. Gipahibalo ang tanan nga ang GABBY’S BRILLIANT PAWNSHOP, INC. and GABBYS’S INFINITE PAWNSHOP, INC. maga subasata sa tanan nga nag-expired hangtod sa bulan sa MAYO 2022, kung dili malukat ibaligya sa publiko sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES

AUCTION DATE

TEL. NOS.

SAN PEDRO

JULY 16, 2022

321-2185

ILUSTRE

JULY 01, 2022

234-4844

10 ON ...

MINDANAO TIMES

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

(from front page)

Marcos did mention peace in his inaugural address but in general terms.

“We all want peace in our land. You and your children want a good chance at a better life; in a safer, more prosperous country. All that is within reach of a hardworking, warm, and giving race. Your dreams are mine; pangarap niyo ay pangarap ko. How can we make them come true? How can we do it together?” he asked.

Marcos has yet to declare if his administration will reopen talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) which represents the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New Peoples’ Army in the peace negotiations with the six administrations that succeeded the dictator Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, the father, and namesake of the new President. Under the Duterte administration, the peace negotiations with the NDF resumed but a year later, Duterte called it off. The Duterte administration later declared the NDF, CPP and NPA as “terrorists.”

Implementation of peace agreements In the Bangsamoro peace processes, Marcos inherited two peace agreements that have yet to be fully implemented – the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The MNLF faction under Muslimin Sema and the late Yusop Jikiri had joined forces with the MILF in pushing for the CAB and the implementation of the unimplemented provisions of the 1996 Final Peace Agree-

MOTHBALLED ...

“will play a historic role” in the full implementation of the CAB because it is to be expected that by the end of the extended transition period in 2025, an Exit Agreement will be signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF) to signify the full implementation of the peace agreement.

The signing of the Exit Agreement, the open letter said, “will be your Bangsamoro legacy as the Aquino administration’s legacy was the signing of the CAB and the Duterte administration’s was the passage of the enabling law that paved the way for the creation of the BARMM.” The open letter was signed by Guiamel Alim, chair of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society; Rev. Daniel Pantoja, Chief Executive Officer of the Peacebuilders Community; Bae Magdalena Suhat, chair of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus; Herbert Demos, regional coordinator of Sentro Soccsksargen; and 26 signatoryorganizations.

“We in the civil society movement will accompany you in your six-year peace journey,” they said, adding they hope Marcos will immediately appoint the 80 members of the BTA which, under the peace agreement, is to be led by the MILF. Duterte appointed 80 members of the BTA, 41 nominated by the MILF and 39 nominated by the government. The government nominees were recommended by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), now referred to as the Office of the Presidential adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

The open letter also urged the fast-tracking of the nor-

malization track of the peace agreement, particularly on the decommissioning of combatants and weapons, the transformation of former rebel camps, and the allocation of adequate funds to implement the socio-economic package for the decommissioned combatants.

The signatories also urged the new President to implement the amnesty program, appoint members of the Amnesty Commissions in accordance with Proclamations 1090 and1091, and fast-track the grant of amnesty to members of the MILF and MNLF, respectively, who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs.

The two proclamations were among four signed by President Duterte on February 5 this year. The two others with similar provisions are for members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayo Brigade and “former rebels of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) who have committed crimes punishable under the revised penal code and special penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs.”

The open letter also called for the “immediate implementation of the recommendations in the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission’s report and the establishment and operationalization of national mechanisms for transitional justice as the main push for national unity and reconciliation.

Marawi Rehabilitation The letter of the Mindanao CSOs also pushed for the immediate appointment of the nine-member Marawi

in drawing more tourists to the province as the provincial government has also spent about P150 million to refurbish its tourism complex, a facility just about five minutes away from the provincial capitol.

The development of the airport, he said, would complement the development of the tourism complex.

“This (government initiative to develop tourism facilities) is a necessary support to the initiatives of the private sector as partners of the province in various tourism activities,” he said, adding that these initiatives will serve as a big boost to the industry.

Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan of the Department of Tourism, said the operation of the airport, which is eyed by next year, will lure

Compensation Board, two of whom must represent nongovernmental organizations as provided for by the newlypassed law, RA 11696 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022.

The law provides for compensation for the loss or destruction of properties and loss of lives as a result of the 2017 Marawi Siege.

Marcos inherited not only the implementation of the compensation measure that President Duterte signed into law on April 13, 2022, but also the unfinished rehabilitation of Marawi’s ‘Ground Zero,’ the former main battleground between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group and its allies in the five-month war in 2017.

In his campaign rally at the provincial gym in Marawi City on March 31, Marcos spoke for 20 minutes, and repeated his previous speeches on unity but said nothing about Marawi's rehabilitation and compensation.

Before the rally, Marcos met with Lanao del Sur mayors and leaders at the Social Hall of the capitol. No one would have known what Marcos said inside but Balabagan Mayor Edna Ogka-Benito, who was in the meeting, posted a video of Marcos’ eightand-a-half-minute speech on her social media page.

The video clip shows Marcos talking for a minute about Marawi's rehabilitation.

He said that as they were flying over Marawi that day, “mabuti naman nakita ko na meron na ring progress kasi marami tayong naririnig, maraming nagre-reklamo na wala daw nangyayari at kita naman na meron talagang recovery, may rehabilitation (it was good to see there is progress because we have heard

P312-K ...

(from page 2)

Based on the information from the provincial government, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) suggested another P240 million for the rehabilitation and expansion of the facility, named after the mother of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and was built during the time of the late governor Francisco Rabat as the gift of Marcos’ namesake father, then the President, to the province.

Rabat, the most prominent member of the RabatRocamora clan, was a close friend of the late strongman that he was able to persuade the national government to build the airport even when the lot where it was built was not donated nor sold to the government.

The airport, Dayanghirang said, will be instrumental

CSWDO ...

ment with the MNLF. The Sema-Jikiri faction of the MNLF was represented in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) that drafted the Bangsamoro Basic Law and later the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the body tasked to govern the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the transition period. The transition was supposed to end on June 30, 2022, but was extended until June 30, 2025.

The MNLF faction under founding chair Nur Misuari did not nominate representatives to the BTC and the BTA. In his six years in office, Duterte met with his friend Misuari several times in Malacanang or in Davao City but whatever the two met about behind closed doors, details were not made public.

In mid-December 2019, Duterte appointed Misuari as Special Economic Envoy on Islamic Affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to “foster further lasting relationships with the leaders of the Islamic countries.”

Bangsamoro in transition June 30, 2022, Day 1 of Marcos’ administration, was also Day 1 of the extended transition period in the BARMM, an autonomous region comprising the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi; the cities of Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato; and the Special Geographic Area comprising 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns that voted for inclusion in the BARMM. In an open letter to Marcos on June 27, Mindanao’s civil society organizations dealing with the Bangsamoro peace processes said Marcos

about complaints that nothing is happening but we could see there is really recovery, there is rehabilitation) and I think that the government’s policy, both the local and national government’s policy na build back better is going to be good one and that is the way that we would do it.”

“Marawi will become better, will come back better and more vital and important to not only the local economy but to local culture and all of the political and non-political issues here in the province,” he said.

In an ‘ambush’ interview at the inauguration of the BBM-Sara UniTeam headquarters in Valencia City, Bukidnon hours after the Marawi rally, reporters asked Marcos if Marawi rehabilitation will be a priority in his administration should he win.

“Ginagawa na yun (It’s being done). There’s no need … Tinatapos na ni Pangulong Duterte” (President Duterte is finishing that) was his quick reply.

Several public infrastructures have been constructed such as barangay halls, health centers, a lakeside stadium, a museum, school of living traditions, etc.. but where are the residents across what used to be home to 24 barangays?

According to the April 30, 2022 report of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, the inter-agency body overseeing the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi, out of 17,793 displaced families, only 95 families have returned to their ‘repaired/ rebuilt’ homes in the least affected areas of ‘Ground Zero’ while 938 families have resettled in permanent housing units. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

(from page 2)

more tourists to the province which is known for its lengthy coastline, a world-recognized heritage site in Mt. Hamiguitan, and other eco-tourism attractions.

“The province has a huge potential especially if you introduce the proper type of development in the province,” said Rabat-Tan, a niece of the late governor.

The provincial government and the DoTr have yet to start the development of the project plan for the expansion of the airport.

Former Second District representative Joel Mayo Almario proposed before Congress that it be an alternative to the Francisco Bangoy International Airport.

The plan to develop the airport started to snowball in 2019 when officials of the

province sought the help of the national government to push it so that it could accommodate bigger planes. If used now, only smaller planes like turbo-propelled ones can land because of the shorter runway, the absence of better landing instruments, and other necessary facilities like a terminal.

The proposal was to acquire 270,000 square meters of land, including the land where it is occupying at present so that it could accommodate bigger airplanes like Airbus.

Even during that time when the lot where the airport is located as well as the acquisition of a bigger lot were not seen as a huge problem because the owners, the Rabat-Rocamora family, were supporting the plan.

Verde Boulevard; Jerhan S Sabdani, 34, married and a resident of Purok Silad, Buhangin District, and Rasul Sariul, 40, married and a resident of Isla Verde Boulevard.

The three were onboard a white Transformer mini-van with Plate # MAU 7990 traveling toward the city.

Intercepted from their possessions were 12 boxes of Dreamon cigarettes with a total of 599 packs inside with an estimated street value of P299,500. The suspects and confiscated contrabands were immediately turned over to the Toril Police Station for proper disposition.

Moreover, on the same day, several boxes of illegal cigarettes were again intercepted by the Task Force Davao and Davao City Police

Office at the Sirawan checkpoint.

The suspect was identified as Ernesto Y Hugan Jr., 47, married, and a resident of Purok 4, Brgy Eden.

According to the report, Hugan was onboard a red Suzuki 4x4 Multicab with plate number MAC 4819 traveling towards the city.

Authorities confiscated a total of 78 reams of assorted illegal cigarettes with an estimated street value of P39,000.

The catch came after the authorities accosted nearly 300,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes earlier at the same fixed checkpoint. The suspect and the confiscated items are now in the custody of Toril Police Station for proper disposition.

advisories from authorities, especially on safety and risk warnings.

She said, “Kinahanglan ang mga lumulupyo sa Davao … kung muingon ang atong pang gamhanan nga muhawa ta aning dapita kay makalas unya atong kinabuhi, mawadan ta’g minahal sa kinabuhi, kinahanglan dili ta magduhaduha sa paghawa tungod kay

mao ni ang ebidensya. Ang panghitabo atong 2011 mao ni ang ebidensya nga usahay dili ta musunod sa mga payo og pagpasabot sa barangay (For the residents of Davao City, if the authorities tell us to leave a certain area because our lives are in danger and our loved ones are in danger, we must not think twice about leaving because this is the

evidence.

What happened in 2011 is evidence that sometimes we do not heed safety advisories and pleas from the barangay).

In a statement, Mayor Sebastian Duterte expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and those who lost their homes to the flood.

He said that the Matina Pangi flash flood has left the city “with lessons that we will surely carry every day”. The statement also said that “the City Government of Davao shall ensure the continued safety and of its residents and avoid similar events from happening again in the future.” By Rhoda Grace B. Saron

(from page 2)

She said the city is not only joining the community in commemorating the victims of the tragedy but also aims to keep the events of June 28, 2011, fresh in the minds of Davaoeños to serve as a lesson in safety.

“Gina-remember nato para to serve a lesson to all of us nga kinahanglan magmabinantayon ta kanunay; nga

ang safety sa dakbayan sa Davao atong bantayan (We are commemorating to serve a lesson to all of us that we need to be aware all the time; that safety in Davao City is something we have to guard),” Redulosa said.

Redulosa added that the tragedy should serve as a lesson for all citizens that they should listen to the

MINDANAO TIMES

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

DAVAOEÑOS ... (from page 2) spraying of pesticide (which was shut down for good by the Supreme Court), organic agriculture, would flourish on a national level.”

“Towards the end, he ended the ban on new mining projects, indicating that his governance was not about sustainable and inclusive development. I was very hopeful at the beginning of his term, but ended up disappointed. I really dreamed of him becoming our version of Uruguay’s former president Jose Mujica.

I was just too ambitious for him. Extrajudicial killings were my worst nightmare,” Lindo added.

For former Akbayan party-list representative Tom Villarin, Duterte “was a vindictive President and would leave no stone unturned just to get back at his perceived political enemies.”

He said Senator Leila de Lima, who was elected to a six-year term in 2016, was “a paramount victim and suffered under his strongman rule.”

Duterte’s governance, according to Villarin, “is likened to a mafia boss who wields power by sheer force and not by the rule of law.”

“The only positive side is that he knows nothing about the economy and left it to his economic team that succeeded to push for fiscal reforms,” he said.

De Lima, who investigated the summary killings

in Davao City in 2009 under the administration of thenMayor Duterte and initiated a Senate committee hearing on President Duterte’s war on drugs in 2016, was able to attend Senate sessions only for eight months out of her supposed 72-month term.

She was arrested on February 24, 2017, following the filing of charges against her for alleged involvement in illegal drugs, allegations de Lima had repeatedly denied. Recently, a number of those who testified against her had recanted their testimonies.

John Paul Dizon, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Southern Mindanao Region said Duterte was able to get the support of farmers and workers in Mindanao because he campaigned on a platform of agrarian reform and promised an end to contractualization of labor.

“Pero nahimo kining damgo na lamang ug gikalimtan sa atong Presidente” (But these became mere wishes and were forgotten by the President).

He recalled how Duterte also raised so much hope for the resolution of the halfa-century conflict with the National Democratic Front (NDF) through the peace negotiations which he also vowed he would pursue under his administration.

Dizon said the peace talks indeed started on a positive note in 2016 but a year later,

Duterte called off the talks and unleashed a vicious war against communities in farflung areas, including Lumad (Indigenous Peoples) communities. Duterte also declared martial law over all of Mindanao during the Marawi Siege in 2017.

Dizon acknowledged that wages were increased three times, with amounts that look huge on paper but cannot cope with the high rise in prices. He said the minimum wages per region appear to have been based on the poverty threshold and not on the family living wage.

He also cited the attacks and harassment of workers, the intimidation, vilification, red-tagging, filing of trumpedup charges against its leaders, killings, disaffiliation campaigns, and the use of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to further trample on their right to form unions.

Dizon also said only a few workers were able to avail of the ayuda (assistance) during the COVID-19 pandemic even as many of them lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts. Overall, he said, “wala kami nakita nga positibo nga programa ug mas daghan ang mga negatibo nga nasinati sa mamumuo ug katawhan” (we did not see any positive program for workers but more negative experiences under his administration).

BOC ... (from backpage) creditation, Implementation of Letter of Authority, Latest Issuances and Legal Actions, Post-Clearance Audit of Importers, and Cargo Clearance Procedure and Issuance Permits for Agricultural Products and Foodstuff. The attendees were also given the chance to raise their concerns and inquiries during the Question and Answer portion.

The speakers included subject-matter experts - Acting Assistant Chief of the Accounts Management office, Mr. Reffy Gorre, Chief

of the Operations Section of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Mr. Paul Pacunayen, Chief of the Prosecution and Litigation Division of the Legal Service, Atty. Julito Doria, BOC Spokesperson / Assistant Commissioner and Head of the Post Clearance Audit Group, Atty. Vincent Maronilla, Deputy Collector for Assessment of the Port of Manila, Mr. Rizalino Torralba, and Agriculturalist II and Assistant Head-Issuance of the SPS Import Clearance of the

SEC ... (from page 4) Extension Office in Valencia City, Bukidnon as the primary address of Wellcons.

On February 3, 2022, the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) posted an advisory against Wellcons - informing the public to exercise caution in dealing with any person who is soliciting investments or selling unauthorized securities for and on behalf of Wellcons.

Wellcons’ President Merarie E. Pailagao, its officers, and agents are directed to immediately cease and desist from further engaging in the sale and/or offer of unregistered securities, and to cease its internet presence relating to its investment activities until the requisite registration is filed with and approved by the commission.

The SEC likewise directed the company from transacting any business involving funds in its depository banks and from transferring, disposing, or conveying any related assets to ensure the preservation of the assets for the benefit of affected investors.

Reports said Wellcons is

Bureau of Plant Industry, Ms. Zyrine Lorizo.

For those who missed the webinar, the live recording may still be accessed at https://bit.ly/CustomsClearanceForAgriAndFoodstuff.

With the guidance of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the Bureau of Customs will continue to conduct free webinars that are accessible to all to further improve trade facilitation and the operational procedures of the Philippine Customs Administration.

Davao Ros-Ver Pawnshop, Incorporated Ilustre St., Davao City Tel # 224-1204; 222-6086

AUCTION SALE! The DAVAO ROS-VER PAWNSHOP, INC. and NEW PAG-ASA PAWNSHOP will be having its JOINT AUCTION on all unredeemed pawned items left during the month of February 2022. The said items will be sold to the public at the following VENUE AND DATE. Gipahibalo ang publiko na ang DAVAO ROS-VER PAWNSHOP, INC. og ang NEW PAG-ASA PAWNSHOP; magsubasta sa tanang prenda nga naremata atong Pebrero 2022. Ang tanang prenda dungan nga ibaligya sa publiko sa mga sumusunod nga dapit og petsa:

231 PILGRIMS ... (from page 3) “We should hold accountable all those responsible for this mess,” he said.

Hataman added the need to study the process of coordination between the NCMF and other agencies of government and what amendments can be introduced to the law, to check if there was neglect or errors that led to the mess “O baka naman kailangan na nating pag-aralan kung dapat bang sa private sector na natin ibigay ang Hajj coordination tulad ng ginagawa sa ibang bansa (Or maybe we should already study if we should give the Hajj coordination to the private sector as other countries are doing), Hataman, who was governor of the defunct Autonomous

NEW ... (from page 4) enticing the public who need income to invest with it by buying their investment packages, and promising investors a guaranteed return of investment, plus additional benefits and a supply of products.

Investors need not exert effort in selling/distributing Wellcons products to earn. What is only required is to simply recruit new members to join and invest.

The EIPD confirmed it with the other concerning departments of the SEC that Wellcons, although a registered corporation is not allowed to solicit investments from the public. A corporation may only solicit investments when issued with a secondary license to which in this case, Wellcons only holds the primary registration license.

Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8799, or The Securities Regulation Code (SRC), provides that securities shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines, without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the SEC. Wellcons offers/sells un-

11

“The Philippines can be a vital partner for critical minerals, not only exporters, but to be a processor for semi-finished and finished products,” he added.

Under his watch, Pascual said the DTI would be closely collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to pursue digitalization in the government to further ease doing business in the country.

He also cited that the ratification of the Regional

Comprehensive Economic Partnership and pursuing other free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries will also be his priorities.

“As you may know, the Philippines has the least number in terms of Asean countries that have signed FTAs with foreign countries. These agreements will diversify the country’s exports in terms of products and services and country destination, and enhance foreign investments,” Pascual added.

registered securities either a Binary System or the Pangkabuhayan program, the former being a gateway to a member’s entitlement and enjoyment of the profits/benefits given in the latter.

During the course of its investigation, the EIPD and the SEC–CDOEO have been receiving numerous complaints from its member-investors for having delays in receiving their guaranteed profits, worse, unpaid at all. Complainants state as well that their demands for their original investments

were completely ignored by Wellcons.

“We have been very vigilant on their operations in Bukidnon and in some parts of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte. Our investigators went to these areas to verify the existence and the operations of Wellcons. It is indeed, very rampant with their (Wellcons) growing number of members, hence, this enforcement is addressed” says Lawyer Frederick A. Enopia, director of SEC-CDOEO. (SEC-10)

Region in Muslim Mindanao from December 2011 to February 2019, said.

Nearly a thousand pilgrims were stranded because of the canceled flights, he said.

Hataman noted that one of the mandates of NCMF is to coordinate, through its Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, the Hajj pilgrimage of Muslim Filipinos and aid in their travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“However, the flights bound for KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) last June 19, 20 and 21 were canceled, leaving nearly a thousand pilgrims stranded,” he said.

He called on the NCMF and concerned government agencies such as local governments and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to look into the situation of the pilgrims.

“Moral governance requires us to be pro-active in looking after the welfare of these stranded Muslim pilgrims,” Hataman said, adding that many of the pilgrims had

spent their pocket money intended for their Hajj and may no longer have money for their daily sustenance while stranded. He said they should be assisted and attended to, not left behind to fend for themselves.

He said the NCMF has funds “para sa mga ganitong klaseng problema, bakit hindi gamitin? Let us show compassion sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim na nasa ganitong sitwasyon ngayon dahil sa kapabayaan ng iilan.”

He said this problem should not be repeated anymore.

“We want a better piligrimage experience for Muslim Filipinos,” he said, adding he wants to see how Congress can help the NCMF to avoid a repeat of this problem. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

EX-REBELS ... (from page 3)

Brigade will not cease in conducting our Focused Military Operations until all of our enemies are finally neutralized,” Orio further said.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PMGEN MARVIN MANUEL P. PEPINO who died intestate on June 5, 2022 at Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, IBP Road Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Metro Manila ; That the deceased PMGEN MARVIN MANUEL P. PEPINO at the time of his death is a holder of active savings accounts with the following banks to wit: Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Commonwealth Branch, Quezon City Account No. 00000706185844 Amount Deposited: Php _________ ; Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) West Avenue Branch, Quezon City Account No. 00000237224140 Amount Deposited: Php ________; Banco De Oro (BDO) Tandang Sora-Commonwealth Branch, Quezon City Account No. 008940083410 Amount Deposited: Php ______ ; Public Safety Savings Loan Association, Inc. (PSSLAI) G/F Kiangan Hall, Camp Crame, Quezon City Account No. 010001461 Amount Deposited: Php _________; WHEREAS, the said decedent left a real property (house and lot) covered with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-247002, containing an area of O ​​ ne Hundred Fifty (150) Square Meters more or less, situated at Blk 4 Lot 6 Sapphire St., Ph 1 Hillside Subd., Davao City.

WHEREAS, the parties MARVIN REY ANDREW R. PEPINO and MANUEL REY ANDREW R. PEPINO do hereby appoint their mother, REBBIE ANNE ROFLOPEPINO as the true and legal Atty-In-Fact to act for and in their name and stead and to perform the following acts: To process, make follow-up, sign documents, receive and encash checks involving the above-mentioned four 94) Banks; To process and make follow-up in any government agencies regarding the above-described real property; and To assign, authorize and appoint any individual to help her perform the above-stated acts. That pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, that the Bank Savings Accounts and the real property mentioned above has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY made and executed by and among his heirs per Doc. No. 106; Page No. 23; Book No. 03; Series of 2022 of the Notary Public FRANCIS ANTHONY CRIS C. ALPAS of Davao City.

(MT-June 24, 27 & July 4, 2022)

Community

JULY 04 & 05, 2022

MINDANAO TIMES

DOST FIRST BOOK SERIES:

‘Science for the People’ is free online THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology's (DOST) first-ever published book series titled “Science for the People" is now accessible online, as announced by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).

The book series authored by DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña himself and co-authored by other DOST Agency Heads highlights the story behind the successful technologies, programs, projects, services, and interventions that the DOST has provided to better the lives of the Filipino people.

During the launching of the final installment of the book series last June 15, 2022, Sec. de la Peña emphasized the services provided by our "local science heroes" such as livelihood opportunities and improved economic activities.

"Through these books, so many stories have been told. From the mouths of our scientists and researchers, as well as from the target beneficiaries of their noble works, all of us

would see how conducting Science and Technologyrelated (S&T) research and picking the brains of our local science heroes would give us a huge chance to achieve inclusive development," he said.

The public is encouraged to read the book series now that it has been released online. Each book provides people with a clear view of how S&Trelated services, research and development initiatives could significantly contribute to the country's local communities.

The e-copies of the book can be accessed through the NRCP Library Management System at https://scientificlibrary. nrcp.dost.gov.ph or via the Scientific Knowledge Management System of NRCP at https://skms.nrcp.dost. gov.ph/.

BOC hosts online seminar for customs clearance procedure THE BUREAU of Customs (BOC) conducted the Customs Clearance Procedure for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs Webinar, wherein all stakeholders and the general public were invited, on June 27, 2022, at the BOC Office of the Commissioner Conference Room and via

Zoom teleconference.

In line with the said webinar, the BOC reiterates that the agency strictly requires import clearances for agricultural and food products, such as meat, issued by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, or other appropriate agencies before releasing

them from ports, pursuant to the Food Safety Act of 2003.

This is to also ensure that the imported products are not contaminated by any disease such as the bird flu virus.

In addition to this stringent initiative, the BOC also signed an agreement with the DA to implement further

measures to ensure the maximum level of food safety for local consumers and to combat the proliferation of smuggled agricultural commodities within the Philippine borders.

More than 600 online webinar attendees were enlightened on Customs Ac-

(

/ BOC / 11)