Mr. Clean Energy

Like most Mindanawons, Sen. Migz Zubiri and myself have been staying in our homes (he in Cagayan de Oro City, and I in Gingoog City, 3 hours apart) to watch and listen to what’s happening in Imperial Manila. Us two have been living with masks and observing other protocols to ward off the deadly coronavirus disease. He is currently in Manila as one of the “chosen and called” 50 invited to physically attend the President’s 5th State of the Nation address yesterday. But we have been communicating by email and mobile phone, and the other day’s chat led to the senator’s experience as a COVID-19 survivor.

Recalled Migz: “No matter how careful I was or how healthy I tried to be, I still got contaminated with the virus. I was patient 142 and was the first high ranking official of government to get hit by COVID. Because of that I decided to come out with my story to show everyone how dangerous and contagious this virus is no matter what your status is in society. This virus doesn’t care who you are. Thank God my symptoms were mild but those were the scariest four weeks of my life, and it taught me the valuable lesson that what counts in this world is not monetary things but the love and company of our family and loved ones.”

The senator was in Manila in March, just days after the coronavirus pandemic hit the city. He had lunch with Bukidnon government officials, who upon learning about what happened to him, had themselves quarantined.

Majority of the senator’s time is spent in CDO as most of the regional government centers of Northern Mindanao are in the city when he conducts meetings for the development of the region. He goes to Bukidnon – an hour away from CDO – his home province, at least once a week.

He is a true son of Bukidnon. He was born April 13, 1969 and named Juan Miguel “Migz” Fernandez by his parents Maria Victoria Ocampo Fernandez and Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr., current governor of the province, once a member of the Batasan Pambansa, a three-term congressman, one term vice governor and six- term governor of the province. His brother, Manuel, is a congressman representing the 3rd district. “So you can say I come from a family of public servants,” Migz told me.

Migz finished agribusiness management and a masters in environment and natural resources management at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos. While managing the family farm in Bukidnon, he was asked by his father, who was in his last term as congressman in 1998 to be his chief of staff. It was during several visits to barangays that he found his calling tor public service.

Migz decided to run “after extensive consultations with our leaders and mayors of the third district. I wanted to share with our people my expertise in agriculture management in trying to increase the efficiency and productivity of our farms.”

During his three consecutive terms as Representative, Migz gained a reputation as a “firecracker of a legislator” as he pushed legislative measures with enthusiasm. Elected to the Senate in 2007, he was chosen by his colleagues to be the youngest Majority Leader, and again in 2018, for the same coveted title.

“I have several laws that I’m very proud of,” he said. First there are the Biofuels Law of 2006, Wildlife Conservation Act 2001 and Renewable Energy Act of 2008.” (His concern for the environment has earned him the monicker “Mr. Clean Energy.”) Then there’s the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, the New Philippine Cooperatives Code, the Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education, the New Anti-Hazing Law, and of course the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

He considers the Bangsamoro Organic Law as his “most notable contribution to promote peace and development in Mindanao.” The law, he said, “was the final political solution for long-lasting peace in our region as it addresses the promise of genuine autonomy to our Muslim brothers and sisters. It was the last step to usher in a long partnership and cooperation with the largest remaining armed group, the MILF, and their small allied groups fighting for their independence and recognition.” Since the passage of the law, he said, “We have seen a drop in corruption as well as an increase in efficiency in government service and most importantly, a drastic drop in military and rebel conflict in this region.”

He is considered the Father of the New Cooperative Code, being the principal sponsor and author of RA 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2007. His investment in the growth of the cooperative sector he carried over to the current 17th Congress where he chairs the committee on cooperatives.

He has published two books – Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 and Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier.

Aside from earning the uncommon record of not missing a single session in his 15 years of public service, Migz has been conferred four honorary doctoral degrees by private and state universities.

Outside of his legislative work, he is involved in a variety of environmental programs. He is the founder of the Philippine Deer Foundation, a deer conservation project. He is vice president of the Palawan-based Katala Foundation, which protects endangered wildlife species and their habitats. A trained first aider and certified rescue diver, he is a governor of the Philippine Red Cross.

He figured in an electoral tussle with Sen. Koko Pimentel when they ran for the Senate in 2007. The Supreme Court ruled that Pimentel was the legitimate winner in the election so Migz, willingly relinquished the seat after four years. He ran again in 2016 and placed No. 6 as an independent candidate of which he still is today. “So technically I’m in my second term of office but since I had a five-year gap after I resigned in 2011 until I won my next Senate term in 2016 means I can run again for my next consecutive term of office in 2022.”

He has openly expressed his dismay over the ABS-CBN closure. “My heart bleeds for the 11,000 workers who lost their jobs because of the non-granting of the ABS-CBN franchise. But most of all my heart bleeds for the millions who can no longer get news and entertainment from the free channels offered by the network. It’s not fair to them as well.”

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