Difference between revisions of "Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News September 2015"

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==[[OWWA convenes scholars from Tawi-Tawi]]==
{{:OWWA convenes scholars from Tawi-Tawi}}
==[[World Food Day activities start in ARMM with mosaic poster making contest]]==
{{:World Food Day activities start in ARMM with mosaic poster making contest}}
==[[ARMM hosts PAMANA Summit for successful implementation of anti-poverty projects]]==
{{:ARMM hosts PAMANA Summit for successful implementation of anti-poverty projects}}
==[[Tausug fisherfolk receive livelihood assistance]]==
{{:Tausug fisherfolk receive livelihood assistance}}
==[[Mindanao receives foreign donations for Eid’l Adha feast]]==
{{:Mindanao receives foreign donations for Eid’l Adha feast}}
==[[Muslims call for ‘world peace’ on Eid al-Adha]]==
{{:Muslims call for ‘world peace’ on Eid al-Adha}}
==[[ARMM turns over Army built school building to education officials]]==
{{:ARMM turns over Army built school building to education officials}}
==[[ARMM celebrates National Family Week]]==
{{:ARMM celebrates National Family Week}}
==[[ARMM signs MOA with Basilan, Lanao Sur execs for road projects]]==
{{:ARMM signs MOA with Basilan, Lanao Sur execs for road projects}}
==[[Businessmen in Mindanao back cable project]]==
==[[Businessmen in Mindanao back cable project]]==


Latest revision as of 07:53, 16 October 2015

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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
ARMM seal.png
Seal of ARMM

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

OWWA convenes scholars from Tawi-Tawi

(ORVRivera-PIA12)

COTABATO CITY, September 30 (PIA) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OWWA-ARMM) recently convened scholars form the far-flung province of Tawi-Tawi.

OWWA-ARMM Director Amy Crisostomo said some 15 OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OFWDSP) scholars in the province made it to the conference.

At the meeting, the scholars were re-oriented on the OWWA’s programs and services particularly on the scholarship guidelines.

Crisostomo asked the scholars to address her as ‘nanay’ as she feels like mother to them and she treats them as her children.

“We at OWWA share and support every OFW's dream of providing better education for their children and have a bright future ahead of them,” she said.

The official also cited previous OWWA scholars who excelled in their respective fields like Bai Lejanie Diocolano who graduated with honors and is now handling various tasks including the Scholarship Program at OWWA-ARMM.

Former scholar Hubaib Midtemeg was specially for ranking 9th in the 2015 Board Examination for Social Workers.

The activity is part of OWWA’s Learning Support mechanisms to enrich the skills and attitudes of the OWWA scholars towards their studies and develop well-rounded individuals.

Crisostomo recently returned at her post as OWWA-ARMM’s chief after being assigned as Welfare Officer at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Abu Dhabi for three years.

World Food Day activities start in ARMM with mosaic poster making contest

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 29 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) Tuesday started activities related to World Food Day, which is celebrated annually on October 16.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the cycle of rural poverty.”

DAF-ARMM Regional Sec. Makmod Mending Jr. said as an initial activity, the region’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) organized an on-the-spot mosaic poster-making contest held on Monday at the DAF-ARMM regional office in Cotabato City.

Students from four elementary schools from Maguindanao participated in this activity. These are Tenorio Elementary School from Datu Odin Sinsuat bested three other schools namely Datu Pinguiaman Elementary School, Sarmiento Central Elementary School, and Making Elementary School.

Mending said the activity is in collaboration with the region’s Department of Education, and international organizations, specifically the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.

This year's grand prize winner Khasmira Tuankali, 11, Grade 6 student of Tenorio Elementary School said she practiced almost everyday before the actual competition and has asked her friends and coach for new ideas and on how to develop her craft.

Tenorio Elementary School has won the championship title since 2013.

Khasmira won PHP3,000 and a medal. She will represent the region in the nationwide poster-making competition on October 16 at the Agriculture department’s national office.

Khasmira's coach, teacher Lilibeth Gomez, said she has been preparing her student for the national competition already confident she will take the regional crown.

"Winning a national event does not only bring pride to her school but also to the entire region," Gomez said.

The contenders from ARMM were among the top five winners for two consecutive years since 2013. Kadiguia Abdullah, information office head at DAF-ARMM, said that they are aiming for a three-peat this year.

Winners of the contest were judged based on the following criteria: 20% for originality, 20% for visual impact, 30% for creativity using abundantly produced agri-seeds and aquamarine products, and 30% for theme relevance. ARMM is among the country’s leading producers of crops like cassava, rice, corn and coffee.

ARMM hosts PAMANA Summit for successful implementation of anti-poverty projects

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 28 (PNA) -- To ensure successful implementation of Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) programs in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the region's Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) on Monday started the PAMANA Summit 2015 here with leaders of people’s cooperatives and project implementers across the region as participants.

The two-day summit aims to showcase PAMANA projects and addressing issues and challenges faced in the program’s implementation.

More than 200 representatives from community livelihood cooperatives and provincial PAMANA teams from the five provinces of ARMM – Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi – attended the first day of the event on Monday, Sept. 28.

The summit also seeks to empower project stakeholders and increase their awareness through inputs and discussions on cooperativism, organizational management, and entrepreneurship that would enhance their drive for effective project implementation as well as foster sustainable development.

PAMANA is the national government’s flagship program under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to strengthen peace-building as well as reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas in selected priority regions in the country.

PAMANA builds on a framework that seeks to optimize and harmonize the efforts of state and non-state actors in conflict areas. It complements current efforts in achieving just political settlement in all conflicts through negotiations.

The DSWD-ARMM has been implementing the PAMANA Program since 2012.

It has implemented the PAMANA community-driven development/livelihood assistance projects in all the provinces of ARMM targeting a total of 2,159 communities with 386 barangays as pilot areas.

To date, all pilot areas have fully implemented cycles 1 to 3 projects.

The program’s coverage has expanded to 1,773 barangays in 81 municipalities. The cycle 1 of the expansion is now 96% complete and is currently in the process of turning over project inputs to program participants.

Simultaneously, target barangays have started submitting project proposals for implementation this year.

Tairan Livelihood Producers Cooperatives is among the beneficiaries of the PAMANA in the province of Basilan.

The cooperative is a recipient of seaweed farming project from where its 30 members earn their living. It is based in Barangay Tairan in Lantawan, a third-class municipality.

Bhen Isik, 45, the president of the Tairan cooperative said the project is beneficial to cooperative members. Isik added their economic conditions have somehow eased because of the project.

A Bagsakan Center was built in the barangay where seaweed products of the cooperatives are sold. A multipurpose hall was also erected, where meetings and conventions of the cooperative are held.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, a PAMANA Expo will be mounted at the Shariff Kabunsuan Commercial Complex inside the ARMM Compound here that could inspire project stakeholders to further promote the program’s objectives.

The expo will feature products, photos and success stories.

Tausug fisherfolk receive livelihood assistance

(DA)

SULU, PROVINCE, Sep. 27—The government, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, recently distributed fishing gear and seaweed-farm implements, such as payaos, fishing boats, motor engines, gillnets, and fish pots to 1,246 fishers in three Sulu municipalities.

In the coastal town of Maimbung—recorded as one of the poorest municipalities of Sulu, having faced challenges brought on by decades-long insurgencies and terrorism—333 fisherfolk received new fishing gear from the livelihood caravan of the Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program or ASAPP.

Among them was local fisher Umban U. Intul—a 60-year-old resident of Barangay Ipil, a coastal area with a relatively lush mangrove cover, and a Tausug—who received from the BFAR new fishing gear, gillnets, fish and crab pots, a motor engine, and additional floaters and twine, and a seaweeds stilt dryer. He currently has two hectares of seaweeds farm which can produce as much as 12,000kg of dried seaweeds—equivalent to total gross revenues of P300,000. Umban has been engaged in fishing and seaweeds growing for almost 40 years now, and is married with seven children.

In 2011, the government—through its Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster (HDPRC)—designed the Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program or ASAPP, a master program that promotes inclusive growth and aids in eliminating poverty in the poorest provinces. BFAR Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Director Janice D. Musali describes ASAPP as an inter-agency initiative which aims to alleviate poverty by creating sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities for the poor.

The idea is to bring government and private sector together and make readily available programs and services more accessible to target beneficiaries.

In August 2015, the BFAR—through its ARMM regional office and Sulu PFO—led the Sulu Cluster of ASAPP in bringing livelihood interventions and government services closer to the people. A series of livelihood caravans by various local and national government agencies were held in three municipalities namely Maimbung, Parang and Panglima Tahil.

DA Undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR National Director Atty. Asis G. Perez, who was present in all three caravans, explained that the national government wants the people of Sulu to directly benefit from the country’s economic growth: “The government has to reach out to the people and work with them to achieve sustainable peace and development.”

Aside from distributed gear, Perez instructed Director Musali and Sulu Fishery Officer Maciano Damih to look into possible postharvest supports that could be given to the fisherfolk of Maimbung such as market linkage and provision of chest freezers to help maintain the good quality of the fishers’ catch.

This is consistent with the Bureau’s value-based production framework which advocates against unabated pressure on fishing grounds, promotes value-adding technologies to maximize market potential of every fish and fishery commodity, and fosters higher profits for the fisherfolk.

“When we already have enough catch, they next thing we should think about is where do we bring our produce. How do we bring our catch to the right market? How do we assign value to our catch? How are we going to maximize profits from our catch? We have to link the product to the market,” Perez explained in Filipino. “If we are not able to process our catch and sell it at the right price, the living conditions of our people will not improve.”

Perez vowed that livelihood interventions and technology trainings for the people of Sulu would keep coming in noting that the Aquino administration does not believe in the trickling down of benefits of economic growth.

Maimbung Sulu Mayor Samier A. Tan thanked the national government for all the support and services provided to his constituents. He praised the beauty of ASAPP program which is bringing government agencies to grassroots communities: “This is how beautiful our government is now. Support from the national government automatically comes to our people. The Municipality of Maimbung is ready to work with the national government and all our constituents are very grateful for all the support coming in.”

Mindanao receives foreign donations for Eid’l Adha feast

By MOH SAADUDDIN

MARAWI CITY: Muslim groups thanked foreign donors for providing more than 400 heads of cattle to people who could not slaughter livestock as part of the observance of Eid’l Adha or feast of the sacrifice.

Among foreign donors cited were Turkey-based international humanitarian agencies and United Kingdom-based Muslim Aid Serving Humanity.

“We are thankful to our partners Insani Yardim Vakfi foundation or IHH, Konya Government and Turkiye Diyanet Vakfi for their continuous effort in realizing our humanitarian programs in the Bangsamoro [region],” said Windel Diangcalan, Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) deputy executive director.

Diangcalan said their agency, with the help of their partners, donated 480 heads of cattle that were distributed to communities celebrating the festivity in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other Muslim areas in Davao and Cotabato regions.

In Lanao del Sur, local residents on Thursday slaughtered the cattle after their khutba or congregational prayers.

The Eid’l Adha is significant in Muslims’ life in commemoration of willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to give up the life of his son Esmail.

Since then, it became a tradition for Muslims to conduct Qurban or slaughter livestock during Eid’l Adha. Many could not afford to buy one, however, there are individuals or groups who give donations to needy people.

Aside from festivity offerings, the BDA and their Turkish partners have been conducting charitable works since 2014 including the establishment of an orphanage center in Cotabato City last May.

According to the BDA, all these ongoing charity deeds were credited to the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Meanwhile, Maharadjah Tabunaway Descendants Council of the Philippines, Inc., whose members belong to the Royal House of Maharadjah Tabunaway Kinship, also distributed packs of meat to community centers in the province of Maguindanao on Thursday.

Muslims call for ‘world peace’ on Eid al-Adha

(Philippines News Agency)

Cotabato City – Calls for peace reverberated across this city and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as Muslims celebrated Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said he was praying the celebration will pave the way for the attainment of genuine peace, not only in Mindanao, but all over the world.

“I pray for peace like any of our peace loving people of Mindanao that peace will reign starting today, the Feast of Sacrifice,” Hataman told reporters after attending the congregational prayer inside the ARMM compound here.

“Let us remember the lives of our brothers who perished as we work for peace to come in our homeland,” Hataman said, adding that their sacrifices should serve as inspiration for the present generation to continue working for peace.

In a statement, Ustadz Murad Ebrahim, chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), also called on fellow Muslims to continue working for peace with the national government.

“With the manifestation of unwavering support by President Aquino and his allies in the government, the international community including the Organization of Islamic Conference, we are still looking forward for the future of the peace process as both the government and the MILF, the Bangsamoro people and the international community have invested so much efforts and resources,” Murad said.

ARMM turns over Army built school building to education officials

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 24 (PNA) -- Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) along with the military continue to build schools in Maguindanao while relative peace continue to prevail in the province.

On Wednesday, ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan and Mayor Reshal Ampatuan of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao led the turn over of a two-classroom, PHP650,000-worth school building to the Datu Unsay Central Elementary School in Datu Unsay town, Maguindanao.

The 6ID’s engineering brigade has undertaken the construction of the building with funds provided by the autonomous regional government.

The new building helps address classroom shortage in the school that has a student population of 714.

Bai Elena Ibrahim, principal of Datu Unsay Central Elementary School, said the classrooms will be used by Grade 5 pupils.

Ibrahim admitted that with only a total of 13 classrooms, they still lack classrooms to accommodate all their students.

She said some sections in Grades 5 and 6 have to simultaneously take classes under one classroom and the school’s faculty, composed of 32 teachers, has to use a makeshift hut as office.

"We thank the ARMM government because this is really a big help to us,” Ibrahim said.

For Grade 5 pupil Rehana Tuan, 14, having to share a single classroom with students from another section made learning more difficult.

“We have a hard time listening to our lessons,” she said in the vernacular. "With this new school building, we are encouraged to make good with our studies."

She said the new building will help her and other students in the class focus more on their lessons.

Hataman emphasized the importance of education in achieving peace and resolving issues in the community.

“Education is a good investment because it is the key to change the situation in the community," Hataman said.

The project started last June 1 was completed on September 11, 2015.

Maj. Gen. Pangilinan said 6th ID’s involvements in the infrastructure projects with the support of ARMM began as part of the joint peace and development efforts that aim to uplift the lives of the constituents of Maguindanao.

He said one of his priorities is giving importance to activities which will promote education. He stressed that soldiers will continue to build schools despite the presence of "liquidation threats" in the area.

It can be recalled that two soldiers belonging to the 34th Infantry Battalion were among those working on the construction of the school building who were liquidated shortly after the project started sometime in June.

The soldier-carpenters, in civilian clothes, were on board a motorbike from the brigade headquarters bringing with them carpentry tools when two suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters ambushed them near the elementary school grounds.

Despite the incident, the soldiers pushed with the school building project until it was completed.

ARMM celebrates National Family Week

(Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officially kicked-off the 23rd National Family Week celebration on Tuesday with a parade and a short program here.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) is leading the celebration, which will last until September 27.

Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, ARMM Vice-Governor and DSWD Secretary, said the celebration is aimed at intensifying the importance of strengthening the family as the foundation of the nation.

This year’s theme is “Family Solidarity, Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families” which highlights equal opportunities of men and women as well as existing child rights in the Filipino family.

“The family is the very foundation of our nation. It is from where it derives strength, progress and stability,” Lucman said. “The stronger the family we have, the stronger the society, or nation, we could have.”

The celebration is observed annually every fourth week of September based on Proclamation No. 60 issued on September 18, 1992 “in recognition of the sanctity of family life and to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.”

DSWD-ARMM awarded Sambay Salik-Suwaib as the Solo Parent Awardee this year. Suwaib received the award “in recognition for her exemplary roles as father and mother” to her three children since her husband passed away more than 20 years ago.

Four other families also received the Model Family Award from the department. The awardees received a plaque of recognition and cash rewards. More than 500 employees from different line agencies and offices of ARMM took part in the opening program.

On September 25, ARMM will also hold ‘kanduli’ or thanksgiving lunch as part of the event.

ARMM signs MOA with Basilan, Lanao Sur execs for road projects

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 21 (PNA) -- Lanao del Sur and Basilan residents can look up to more development projects after officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and two local government executives signed signed Monday the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the PHP136 million infrastructure projects.

ARMM Regional Gov. Mjib Hataman and Sec. Don Mustapha Loong of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) led the MOA signing.

The projects in Basilan include the concreting of a six-kilometer road in Brgy. Kapatagan Small, Isabela City to Brgy. Boheh Nange, Lamitan City, and the 4,500-meter road in Brgy. Boheh Nange to Brgy. Sta. Clara in Lamitan City. The projects’ total cost amounts to PHP126 million.

“The two roads will form part of the trans-central road, a milestone project that will enable the people to traverse the province at the center and would open wide hectares of agricultural land open for development,” Sec. Loong said.

He also noted that over PHP1 billion will be allocated for the trans-central road in Basilan in 2016.

“We expect that the trans-central road will be functional in 2016,” Loong said.

Earlier, the circumferential road in Basilan was completed allowing motorists to circumnavigate the province in shorter time. This time, the regional government has chosen the local government units as implementers to further develop their capability to undertake such infrastructure projects.

“This will help far-flung barangays and alleviate social and economic conditions in the affected communities,” Mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City said.

Water systems will also be built in the towns of Bacolod-Kalawi and Tubaran in the province of Lanao del Sur. The projects have a total appropriation of more than PHP10 million.

“Rest assured that we are doing on-site monitoring of our projects,” Sec. Loong added.

On September 4, an MOA for PHP124-million infra projects were also signed for the towns of Parang, Buldon and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao and in Tamparen in Lanao del Sur.

The projects would be funded under the 2015 infrastructure budget program. At present, DPWH-ARMM is managing PHP10-billion worth of projects across the region.

Hataman has appealed to the people of Lanao del Sur and Basilan to help the regional government monitor the project implementation to ensure roads are completed as scheduled and according to standards.

Businessmen in Mindanao back cable project

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

MINDANAO's business community, during a recent gathering, approved a resolution supporting the immediate implementation of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Submarine Terrestrial (Best) Cable System project, an official said.

Romeo M. Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) director of Investments Promotions and Public Affairs, told Sun.Star Davao that business leaders saw the potential of the cable system project as the gateway for better connectivity that will boost the Information and Communications and Technology (ICT) investments in the island.

"The business leaders passed a resolution supporting the speedy implementation of the Best Cable System project," he said, adding that it was one of the resolutions made during the 24th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) last September 2 to 4 at the ZN Convention Center, Dipolog City.

The project is expected to provide "cost-effective broadband Internet, promote better participation of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in e-commerce and provide better accessibility and connectivity to areas that are still not into Information and Communications Technology (ICT) trends."

The Best Cable System, initiated by Best Cable Corp. Pte. Ltd. (BCC), "is a regional 5,092-kilometer high bandwidth fiber optics cable system that will link BIMP-Eaga region specifically Brunei, Sabah, Malaysia, Southern Philippines and Kalimantan in Indonesia, with extension to Guam that will connect with the US and the rest of Asean countries.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and Philippine senior official for BIMP-Eaga Prudencio M. Reyes in an earlier report said that as most ICT and BPO companies are seated in the urban areas, the Best cable system will serve as one of the solutions to "leverage flow of inclusive and ‘beyond borders’ development in the ICT industry in the country."

Groundbreaking of the project is eyed on the first quarter of 2016.

The submarine cable system, with its head-end facility, will be installed in Parang, Maguindanao as the project's proponent in the Philippines, the EA Trilink Corp., acquired the franchise from Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

The cable system is expected to be operational in 2017.

Samuel Matunog, ICT-Davao president, said that BPO is an industry that is so sensitive to security and peace stability.

"The peace process will enable us to have a platform for us to discuss how we can make Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm) to be the gateway for the rest of Mindanao and even the whole Philippines to enjoy faster and cost-effective broadband Internet," Matunog said earlier.

Meanwhile, business community, together with the development agencies, met with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim at Camp Darapanan last week in a private meeting organized by World Bank and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to signify its strong motive and willingness to pour investments to the Bangsamoro Region and provide employment and income opportunities for sustainable living.

It was also staged in a bid to encourage investments and help shape an enabling investment environment not only for the Bangsamoro, but for all the Filipinos.

Ebrahim assured the private sector that alongside the negotiations for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, they are working on normalizations on the ground to ensure that changes will be sustained.

Tawi-Tawi celebrates 42nd Kamahardikaan Festival

By Ayunan G. Gunting

TAWI-TAWI is ready and raring to celebrate its 42nd Kamahardikaan Festival of Arts, Culture and Entertainment on Sept. 20 onwards. This year, the festival will be held in Bongao municipality.

Visitors, both domestic and international, will have a chance to experience this one-of-a-kind showcase of the rich and diverse cultures of the Jamapun, Tausugs, Sama and Badjao of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

The festival will have music concerts and a beauty pageant. There will also be games, trading, fashion shows, and even a fun-run.

At the southwestern tip of the Philippines, Tawi-Tawi is accessible in only a matter of hours from the airports in Manila, Subic or Cebu and Sabah, Malaysia.

“We invite everyone to come celebrate and have fun with us. You’ll meet new friends here and enjoy our hospitality and rich cultures,” says Tawi-Tawi Congresswoman Ruby M. Sahali, whose office, in partnership with the Tawi-Tawi Tourism Council and Governor Nurbert Sahali, is organizing the festival.

The festival will showcase different activities presented by this island province’s 11 municipalities, which includes an agal-agal (seaweed) festival and a fluvial parade.

“There will also be an agriculture and trade fair for investors and entrepreneurs who are interested in discovering new investment opportunities in our area,” she adds.

CSC-ARMM's 155th anniversary celebration kicks off with sports events

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 18 (PNA) -- Believing sports is important in human development, the Civil Service Commission of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CSC-ARMM) on Friday launched its annual sports competition among the region’s public servants as the agency celebrates its 155th founding anniversary.

Participating employees and officials attended the opening ceremony held at the Commission on Audit-ARMM covered court located within the regional government’s compound here.

Lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., ARMM chief of staff, encouraged the employees to utilize the activity to promote sportsmanship among them.

“Gamitin natin ang kompetisyon na ito upang makilala ang bawat isa at mabuo ang sportsmanship sa bawat empleyado ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno ng ARMM (Let us utilize this competition to unite and build sportsmanship among employees of the various agencies in the ARMM government),” Mitmug said.

“A healthy mind lies in a healthy body,” Al-Trekee Dayan of the Regional Sports Coordinating Office – ARMM said.

Leopoldo Valderosa Jr., CSC-ARMM regional director, said the annual sports competition aims “to develop camaraderie among government employees within the ARMM."

"It also aims to develop physical well-being to deliver effective public service,” he said.

The employees will compete in various sports like basketball, volleyball, and badminton. The competition is in keeping with CSC Memorandum Circular No. 08, Series of 2011, or the “Reiteration of Physical Fitness Program for Government Personnel.”

This year’s anniversary bears the theme “Kayang-Kaya Mo, Lingkod Bayani.” The celebration in ARMM was formally opened on September 1 wherein the agency conferred the CSC seal of excellence award to PhilHealth regional office-ARMM, Social Security System-Basilan Branch, PhilHealth Marawi-Local Health Insurance Office, and Philippine Statistics Authority-Lanao del Sur provincial office.

'People's Day' medical program serves hundreds of poor townsfolk in Maguindanao, Cotabato City

(LAP/NYP/EOF)

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 17 (PNA) -- Hundreds of indigent residents in Maguindanao and in Cotabato City have availed of the medical services offered by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government Thursday.

Dubbed as "People's Day," government physicians and other medical providers took turns in serving the indigents, the seventh of such activity in the city.

Regularly done every third thursday of the month, the program has gained the support of other ARMM agencies.

Similar "people's day" activities were also held in the other ARMM provinces of Lanao del sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The day-long activity included medical consultation, dental services and distribution of medicine and vitamins.

Free haircut and reflexology were also conducted while government servants donated blood to the Philippine Red Cross.

Dr. Kadil sinolinding jr., ARMM regional health secretary, said the people's day was the brainchild of ARMM Gov. Mujiv hataman who wants the regional government to give continuous services to his constituents. He explained that when servants are not busy, they should engage in services outside of their regular work to serve the people through activities like the people's day.

Sumail Petronero, a resident of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, said he came over to avail of the services which he described as "noble and must be emulated down to the local government units in the region."

DILG-ARMM assesses LGUs child welfare interventions

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) -- To ensure the delivery of basic social welfare services of the local government units in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Department of Interior and Local Government has conducted Tuesday an assessment and round-table discussion on interventions done by local government units (LGUs) in promoting children’ welfare.

Dubbed as "Child Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA)," it refers to an audit system that assesses the delivery of social welfare services of LGUs leading to positive results in advancing the well being of children and the youth.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, DILG-ARMM secretary, said the CFLGA is a results-based assessment tool and a mandatory audit designed to identify interventions made by the LGUs.

The DILG-ARMM validated the results of the assessment last September 9-11 in coordination with the region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Malang said under the CFLGA, all cities and municipalities shall be assessed to measure their level of performance in implementing child-friendly programs and instituting measures that promote children’s welfare. Auditors will check if an LGU implements programs that satisfy 12 indicators on health and nutrition, education, protection, and child participation.

In a statement, Malang said among the indicators are: number of children attending school, reduction of deaths of children below five years old, children’s safety in the community, absence of child labor, and delivery of health services.

"The Council for the Welfare of the Children uses the tool for assessing the performance of LGUs and would use the results for the conferment of the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance," Malang said.

The system applied is in accordance with the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Philippines is the 31st state to ratify the Convention.

On Tuesday, the regional team prepared the consolidated regional overall rating for the endorsement of DILG-ARMM to the DILG central office.

“This is our way of promoting child-sensitive and child-friendly communities in ARMM,” Malang said.

ARMM launches ‘Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Program’

(Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – In line with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s goal of promoting peace, the ARMM Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) launched its ARMM Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) program.

Isa Tom Del Monte, CDO-BYA executive director, said the program is “one way of recognizing the works of the youth in ARMM.” It underscores the role of the youth in nation-building and in the achievement of genuine peace in the region, he added.

The program was patterned after the Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines organized by the TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the National Youth Commission recognizes, rewards, and encourages youth organizations with programs and projects that help their respective communities.

The projects and programs must be under five categories namely: education and technology; environment, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; health, nutrition and well-being; livelihood and entrepreneurship; and culture and the arts, peace and human development.

Del Monte said that the ARMM TAYO will focus on the peace and development category because it is the most relevant issue in the region. “Peace is a sign of development and prosperity. It is essential in every youth to bear in mind the importance of peace towards development,” said Del Monte.

The program is open to organizations in ARMM with an ongoing, or recently concluded, project. Organizations must have at least 15 youth members who are 15-30 years of age and must be registered in any of the following line agencies: CDO-BYA, Cooperative Development Agency, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Trade and Industry.

The winning organizations will receive a trophy and a cash grant each to fund new projects or continue long-term programs. Entry forms may be downloaded at www.cdobya.armm.gov.ph. Deadline for the submission of entries is on October 31, 2015.

The ARMM-TAYO was launched on September 10 at the Office of the Regional Government compound in Cotabato City during the celebration of the first Youth Peace Day in the region.

ARMM execs welcome budget increase

By John Unson

MANILA, Philippines — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officials welcomed the large increases in infrastructure budget from 2013 to 2016, saying they are a consequence of the sensible handling of funds from the national coffers.

This was the consensus reached by ARMM officials during a meeting of the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board (REDPB) in Makati on Thursday.

From its measly P1 billion yearly infrastructure subsidy when incumbent ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman assumed as appointed caretaker of the regional government in December 2012, the region got P2.97 billion in 2014, P10.15 billion in 2015 and was allocated with a P10.15 grant for 2016.

The national government also provided the region with an additional P10 billion for more projects in 2016 via the regional Department of Public Works and Highways.

Engineer Don Mustapha Loong, secretary of DPWH-ARMM on Monday said he had told REDPB members that it was for the religious and transparent handling of state funds by the Hataman administration that President Benigno Aquino III and the two chambers of Congress increased the region's 2014, 2015 and 2016 infrastructure budget.

"We cannot have these increases without approval from Malacañang, from the House of Representatives and from the Senate. It is the farmers, the fishermen and the fledgling communities that will benefit so much from these good tidings," Loong said.

The REDPB meeting in Makati City last Thursday was jointly presided over by Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, who is executive director of the Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO), and Hataman's executive secretary, lawyer Laisa Alamia.

"The implementation of regional infrastructure projects in the past three years were made open to scrutiny by civil society organizations in the autonomous region and to all media outfits in the area and those based outside of ARMM," Loong said.

Ampatuan, an engineer, agreed with Loong, citing that they keep documents detailing all projects implemented by the Hataman administration in recent years.

Hataman was elected as ARMM's eighth regional governor in the May 13, 2013 synchronized local, regional and senatorial elections. The autonomous region was created through a plebiscite in 1990, which resulted to the ratification of its first charter, Republic Act 6734, subsequently amended, to become RA 9054, via another referendum in 2001.

The DPWH-ARMM was touted as the second most corrupt agency in the region during the time of past administrations, next to the regional education department, then notorious for its ghost teachers, non-existent schools that regularly received operating funds and anomalous appointment of non-licensed teachers, facilitated in exchange for money.

Hataman ordered last week the RPDO to help validate, with the help of community leaders and the media, all projects the regional government had accomplished from 2013 up to the 3rd quarter of 2015.

Loong, the chief engineers in ARMM's eight District Engineering Offices and media practitioners have been monitoring for eight weeks now the infrastructure projects of the regional government using drone technology and satellite-based geo-tagging systems.

"Add to that the actual site inspections, project quality analysis and actual measuring of roads using traditional manual instruments," Loong said.

Ampatuan and Loong both said the projects the Hataman administration had accomplished and those to be implemented will boost Malacañang's normalization programs for conflict areas.

"There are improvements now in the productivity of peasant communities and the local fishery sector as a result of these projects," Loong said.

PH, MNLF set agenda for high level talks in Jeddah

By Camille Elemia (Rappler.com)

The two parties also present their views on the merging of all previous peace accords in light of the Bangsamoro Basic Law

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front set the agenda of the forthcoming ministerial level tripartite meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

For the upcoming meeting proposed to be held in November, both the government and the MNLF agreed to revisit agreements on key implementing measures of the 1996 peace pact, signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos and the MNLF.

This peace accord resulted in the expansion of areas covered by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the integration of MNLF members into the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police, and the establishment of transitory mechanisms and special agencies for the development of Mindanao.

According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, here are the agreements to be reviewed in the upcoming ministerial level tripartite meeting:

  1. ) The Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF), which aims to address the socio-economic issues and needs of the Bangsamoro People. Both the government and the MNLF agreed to follow-up the terms of reference of BDAF with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
  2. ) Tripartite Implementation and Monitoring Committee, which aims to monitor the implementation of all agreements of the Tripartite Implementation Process.
  3. ) The co-management of strategic minerals in the region.

During the two-day conference in Makati City on September 7 and 8, the two parties also presented their views on the merging of all previous peace accords and expansion of areas covered by the autonomous region.

The government insisted that all gains of the 1976 and 1996 peace agreements with the MNLF and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front “are preserved” in the pending Bangsamoro Basic Law. (READ: MNLF, sultans want out of Bangsamoro)

However, the MNLF maintains the government has yet to fully implement both peace agreements.

There are efforts from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, an influential body among Muslim countries, to unite the MILF and the MNLF. The OIC is also the third-party facilitator of the GPH-MNLF peace deal, through its Peace Committee of the Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP).

In a bid to address the grievances of the MNLF, the MILF incorporated aspects of the 1996 peace pact that the MNLF still wants to be implemented in the BBL. These provisions are known as the "42 consensus points."

Fire hits Maguindanao town, destroys more than 20 homes, establishments

(PNA), RMA/NYP/EOF

DATU PIANG, Maguindanao, Sept. 12 (PNA) -- More than 20 houses and business establishments were razed to the ground in a fire that hit Barangay Poblacion, Datu Piang, Maguindanao, fire officials said.

Fire Supt. Adam Guiamad, regional director for Bureau of Fire Protection in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), told DXMS Radyo Bida that the fire was believed triggered by an unattended electrical appliances, which exploded when power was restored following a brownout.

"The fire started at the house of a certain Datu Tiu Piang," Guiamad said.

He said the fire, which started at about 9:30 p.m. was declared under control about an hour later. Nobody was hurt in the incident.

Guiamad said fire fighters and fire trucks from nearby towns of Midsayap in North Cotabato, Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Talayan and Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Guiamad said arson investigators had not yet determined the cost of damages

Suwaib Quitwar, BFP chief of Datu Piang, said the town was experiencing power outage since 5 p.m. and power was restored about 9 p.m.

Suddenly, residents and pedicab drivers started yelling about a fire in progress while the fire bureau, located about 500 meters away, quickly responded.

"The fire was spreading quickly due to electric current," he said, adding that among the destroyed establishments were structures built for more than 50 years ago.

Among the damaged and burned structure was a roadside building built in 1965.

"Overload probably," the town fire officer said. He estimated the fire damages to more than Php 2 million.

Speaking to DXMS-AM Radyo Bida, Guiamad appealed to all residents of Datu Piang and in Maguindanao, where regular power interruption has been happening, to always unplug house appliances every time a power interruption occur so that no appliances would explode once strong power current is restored.

"Remove all electric appliances, especially appliances that do not pass quality control or product standards because they easily explode when high voltage comes in," he said.

It was the second fire incident in Maguindanao and Cotabato City this month.

ARMM prepares for El Niño, starts mitigating steps with PHP48-M budget

(PNA), JBP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao agriculture department has prepared a PHP48 million budget to alleviate the feared drastic effects from El Niño in the region, officials said Saturday.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) is the lead agency implementing the mitigating measures to ensure food sufficiency is not affected, according to DAF-ARMM Regional Secretary Makmod Mending.

Farm production and livestock have been affected because of an ongoing dry spell that may last until June 2016.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has said a “mature and strong El Niño” is now present in the tropical Pacific Ocean that will likely strengthen further before the end of the year and may last until the first half of 2016.

This year's El Niño will potentially be among the four strongest events since 1950, considering similar climatic episodes in 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1997-98.

Mending said the department submitted the El Niño Mitigation Plan to the Department of Agriculture (national office) initiating assistance to affected farmers in the region.

Analysis of rainfall distribution in the region for the month of August showed that Basilan, one of the five component provinces of ARMM, experienced precipitation way below normal.

This month, the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are experiencing various stages of dry spell.

Dry spell is described as three consecutive months of below normal, or 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall, or two consecutive months of way below normal, or more than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall conditions. Mending added that low rice production in the region is expected due to these conditions that affect more than 80,000 hectares rain-dependent farm areas.

In an executive meeting of DA national and regional heads in Naga City in August, regional officials were tasked to submit reports twice a week to formulate and design interventions for the affected farmers.

It is estimated that close to 14,000 metric tons of rice production were lost in ARMM in the first four months of 2015 because of El Niño.

Mending said his department is monitoring the Kabunlan and Malmar irrigation systems that supply water to farms in Maguindanao.

On May 22, DAF-ARMM distributed a total of PHP1.8 million worth of equipment and inputs to pre-identified farmers’ and fishermen’s cooperatives in Maguindanao.

Another PHP21 million worth of agricultural inputs and productive assets were given to about 5,000 farmers in Maguindanao and North Cotabato by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and DAF-ARMM on July 8.


ARMM initiates Youth Peace Day

(Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – Underscoring the importance of the peace process in Mindanao, specifically the passage of a law on genuine Bangsamoro autonomy, the Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded the first Youth Peace Day on Thursday at the Office of the Regional Government compound here.

More than 200 youths from various schools in Maguindanao as well as those in North and South Cotabato and Cotabato City attended the event, which emphasized the youth’s role in achieving peace in Mindanao as well as in nation-building.

A long-lasting peace on the island currently hangs in the balance after a number of legislators in Luzon introduced what Mindanao leaders describe as watered-down version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that would provide a Bangsamoro autonomy.

Among the highlights of the youth peace event was the tour of the participants to the different cultural mock villages located in the compound. The mock villages showcase the culture, tradition and way of living of the six of the major Moro tribes in ARMM namely Maguindanaon, Iranun, Maranao, Yakan. Tausug, and Sama/Bajao, including the Teduray tribe.

Isa Tom Del Monte, CDO-BYA executive director, said the activity is a continuation of the Bangasamoro Youth Hope Conference held from June 2 to 4 this year. Moreover, the activity is in support to the program of the regional government in promoting cultural understanding among the residents of ARMM and its nearby areas.

Saida Mae Aplal, 16, Grade 9 student from J. F. Grino Tacurong National High School, said the activity is an opportunity to gain new friends and to know more the different cultures of the major tribes in the ARMM.

Saidamen Aliodin, 18, Grade 9 student from Abubakar Siddique National High School in Barira, Maguindanao, said he will utilize the activity to gain more knowledge about people in the ARMM and promote peace to his co-participants. The activity bears the theme “Youth: partners for genuine peace and development for the Bangsamoro.”

Maguindanao health office's 'Gamutang Pangkalahatan' serves 12,000 indigents

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 9 (PNA) -- More than 12,000 indigent patients have benefited from the recent four-day "Gamutang Pangkalahatan" of the Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Office and Maguindanao provincial hospital in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Dr. Tahir Sulaik, Maguindanao health chief, said Wednesday the "Gamutang Pangkalahatan" was held simultaneously with the inauguration and official opening of the rehabilitated and refurbished Maguindanao provincial hospital.

He said most of the illnesses treated during the medical services were cough, fever, skin diseases and respiratory diseases.

Sulaik also noted the behavioral change among the indigent patients in Maguindanao. "Before, when they fell ill, they would stay at home and resort to home-based medication," he said.

"But now, with the new and modern health facilities in town, our patients' awareness on health has increased," he told reporters.

"We have upgraded our services," Sulaik said, adding that it now has emergency complex which is comprehensive and the waiting time of patients has been reduced.

Sulaik said the hospital is now open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ready to serve its clients, not only from Maguindanao but also from nearby provinces.

He said medical services in the province of Maguindanao recognize no boundaries.

Sulaik said the "Gamutang Pangkalahatan" program will continue to reach out to municipalities in Maguindanao to increase people's awareness about health issues.

Some indigents prefer to stay at home for medication, afraid of expenses if they go to hospitals. "Now, the hospital staff and health providers will go where they are to serve," Sulaik added.

ARMM holds 1st ARB Congress; recognizes successful agrarian beneficiaries

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 8 (PNA) -- Agrarian officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) recognized Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the region by highlighting success stories on agrarian reform during the first ever ARB Congress here Tuesday.

The Congress starts today at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex here with Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Herman Ongkiko serving as one of the special guests of the event.

With the theme “Mga kwento ng lupa at agrikultura ay musika ng mapayapa at masagang buhay (Stories of land and agriculture are music of a peaceful and prosperous life),” the congress underscored the accomplishments of the agency headed by DAR-ARMM Regional Secretary, Amihilda Sangcopan.

It also recognized the successful ARBs in the region.

At least 400 ARBs across the region which is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi were in attendance.

“Ang highlight ng event na ito ay ang pagpapalabas ng success stories ng ARBs sa ARMM (The success stories of ARBs in the ARMM are the highlights of this event),” Sangcopan told reporters.

Benjamin Querido, Jr. from Wao, Lanao del Sur took center stage as his success story was among those recognized early on the Congress.

Humbly, he said that he earned as much as Php564,000 annually from his corn and sugarcane farm.

His humble beginning started in 1993 after he was awarded with 5.36 hectares of land. Through hard work and determination to succeed after the government granted him source of livelihood, Querido wisely invested on land and slowly made it productive until he managed to buy a tractor and hauler truck.

ARMM has a total of 68,087 ARBs based on the latest record of DAR-ARMM.

Ariel Hernandez, DAR-ARMM entrepreneur consultant, presented a 10-year ARMM Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Beneficiaries Development Plan. The plan, he said, will address the problems, issues and needs of ARBs as identified in conferences conducted in the region’s five provinces.

Sangcopan said with more than P10.6-billion budget, the plan “is a holistic package of support services for beneficiaries such as infrastructure and agri-enterprise development, business development service and the provision of common service facilities, and scholarships for children of ARBs."

Distribution of 11 common service facilities worth more than Php9 million was part of the event.

The service facilities included three units of four-wheel drive tractors, three units of shredders, and five units of hand tractors under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services, the department’s strategic intervention to retain the awarded lands of the ARBs through production and engagement in agri-based and related enterprises.

Edwin Usman, 45, vice president of Tongehat Ungus-Ungus Cooperative based in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi received one unit of Kubota hand tractor in behalf of the cooperative.

His cooperative also received a power tiller cultivator on June 15 during the 27th anniversary celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program here.

Started in 2010, the Tongehat Ungus-Ungus Cooperative ventured into production of banana, cassava and chili pepper as main agricultural products.

“Malaki ang maitutulong ng mga facilities na ito sa aming cooperative dahil ito talaga ang kailangan namin sa aming pagsasaka (These facilities would help our cooperative a lot since we need these in farming),” Usman said.

ARMM trains key leaders on gender concepts, women's role on cooperativism

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept 7 (PNA) -- The Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RCBW-ARMM) is training women middle level workers of local government units and government line agencies on gender and cooperativism.

The series of training sessions on September 7-8 here aims to highlight the role of women in cooperativism and empower them to be more active in local development undertaking, according to RCBW-ARMM planning chief Abderson Antao.

Antao said the training program will cover basic gender and development (GAD) concepts, GAD Focal Point System, gender mainstreaming, and basic gender analysis.

“GAD programs should also be established even in local government units,” added Antao.

The training on women cooperativism is included, which, Antao explained, will “empower women economically.” The region’s Cooperative Development Authority (CDA-ARMM) is giving the inputs on women’s role in the cooperative movement.

Antao said the training sessions are aligned with RCBW’s economic objective dubbed as Women Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Enhancement Program.

The initiative is aimed at enhancing, capacitating and boosting women’s access to employment and livelihood opportunities, and developing entrepreneurial skills.

Just last month, Bangsamoro women in the municipality of Masiu in Lanao del Sur participated in a similar program on cooperatives orientation at the Unda Memorial Agricultural School in Masiu.

In 2015, there are 11 women’s cooperatives registered with the RCBW-ARMM. Women numbering 196 were trained on cooperativism, and 42 were trained on entrepreneurial skills.

“This would boost the support we need from the ground to push forward women and peace agenda in the region,” said Sittie Jehanne Mutin, RCBW-ARMM chairperson.

Maguindanao provincial hospital opens new facilities

By Ferdinandh B. Cabrera (MindaNews)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao (MindaNews/04 September) — Maguindanao’s Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on Friday opened its refurbished hospital in Datu Hofer town that boasts of state-of-the-art facilities.

IPHO chief Dr. Tahir Sulaik together with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) officials unveiled the hospital’s new P8.6-million emergency room and other sections that have made it the only level-two hospital in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The construction of new emergency room is part of the second phase of the hospital improvement financed by income from Philhealth contributions.

The other sections include a holding area for cases of highly contagious diseases, intensive care unit, surgery and trauma section that will handle mass casualty incidents and women and child protection unit for abused women and children.

Sulaik said they treat all patients equally and give free medicines to members of Philhealth.

Most of the patients brought to the Maguindanao provincial hospital are poor farmers of Liguasan Marsh and mountainous areas of Maguindanao. Lately, some have come from Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato, he said.

“Because it’s clean here, the service is good, we are comfortable”, according to Kali, a resident of Aleosan, North Cotabato, a guardian of her sister who was confined for kidney disease.

In January this year, the IPHO hospital opened to the public its rehabilitated building and facilities as part of first phase improvement. The rehabilitation cost P30 million.

The provincial hospital has modest beginning in 1974 in Shariff Aguak town with only a 50-bed capacity and small medical staff despite attending to many patients who are mostly poor. Now it can house 150 patients and is handled by 400 personnel, 32 of them doctors.

Philhealth President Alexander Padilla, who attended the inauguration, said he would help the IPHO get into the third phase of the expansion of the hospital next year.

ARMM seeks PHP45-M mitigating budget to cushion El Nino impact

(PNA), JBP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 5 (PNA) -- Agriculture officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have asked for a PHP-45 million El Nino mitigation fund from the Department of Agriculture central office to cushion the impact of impending drought.

Lawyer Makmod Mending Jr, regional secretary of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM), said ARMM, composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, are among the 45 provinces in the country expected to suffer the brunt of El Nino phenomenon beginning next month.

“This could result to low rice and corn production,” Mending told reporters. “Our agriculture and fishery sectors are also vulnerable to losses, we are taking steps,” he added.

A monthly forecast summary for the ARMM showed Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu will experience below normal rainfall during the later part of 2015, Mending said.

Because of this abnormal situation, agriculture officials predict heavy losses for hundreds of hectares of rice fields which are dependent on rainfall.

Mending explained that the proposed el Nino mitigating funds will be used for programs that will lessen the impact of drought, giving farmers alternate livelihood, cloud seeding operations to induce rains, medicine for animals to make them stronger amid excruciating heat and procurement of heat-resistant varieties of agricultural crops to be distributed to affected farmers.

Maguindanao has two major irrigation dams. These are the Kabulnan Irrigation Dam and the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Dam.

“We are closely monitoring the water level of these two dams, if irrigation officials say water is enough then we can advise our farmers to plant,” he said.

He said farmers in Maguindanao had just harvested crops. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will update DAF-ARMM on the status of water level of these two dams.

“If they give us go signal to plant because the water volume is still okay, we will recommend to our farmers to plant, if not then we have other mitigating measures,” Mending said in a radio interview.

Mending admitted that his office is putting up plans to help farmers farming about 80,000 hectares that are rainfed.

As part of the preparation against the dry spell, Mending said he directed Field Operations Director Keise Usman to organize a Task Force El Nino to closely monitor the agriculture sector and recommend appropriate actions.

To ensure all areas are covered during the critical period, Mending wanted a twice a week report from the task force “so we can take appropriate action at appropriate time.”

A mild El Nino hit Maguindanao in early part of 2015 during which the province recorded some 14,000 metric tons rice production loss.

According to state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Philippines is among the worst affected countries in the Asia Pacific region when the phenomenon starts to bring in warm temperature.

Anthony Lucero, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction chief, said during El Niño, temperature is higher than normal and rainfall is below normal.

A depressing scenario was painted by PAGASA, saying more than half of the country’s 76 provinces will suffer dry spell. It sees a reduced rainfall of 60 to 80 percent.

This year’s El Nino is seen as stronger than the one that hit the country in 1997-98 and will surely affect power generations, especially in Mindanao where hydropower plants provide electricity to the island.

ARMM to fast track P636-M infra projects

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 4 (PNA) -- Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) announced Friday that more than Php636 million worth of infrastructure projects “are expected to roll out immediately” following the signing of two memoranda of agreement today, September 4.

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, who led the signing of the agreements, said the infrastructure projects “will roll out immediately after a series of simultaneous preparations were conducted.”

At least 100 barangays located in 82 towns across the ARMM will benefit from the 2015 ARMM Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (HELPS) support infrastructure projects.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The ARMM’s Integrated Project Management Office (IPMO) oversees the implementation of the 2015 HELPS projects.

It also serves as the fund manager and lead agency in monitoring and evaluation of district engineering offices to ensure high quality, on-time delivery, and consistency with respect to the program of work.

According to Noor Saada, regional director of IPMO-ARMM, 506 HELPS infrastructure projects will be built, amounting to about Php512 million that includes construction of barangay halls; multi-purpose buildings; children’s parks; barangay health stations; water, waste and sanitation facilities; botika ng barangay; community learning centers; and support to livelihood activities.

“The projects were identified by residents and stakeholders of target communities,” Saada said.

Details of the projects were communicated with partner line agencies to ensure propriety and complementation, to avoid duplication, and to promote synergy.

Saada noted that ARMM HELPS projects in 2013-2014 have a completion rate of about 80 to 90 percent.

Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement for the concreting of three roads in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur was also signed on Friday between the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) and three municipal government units.

Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, regional secretary of DPWH-ARMM, said the concreting of three roads is worth Php124 million.

The projects in Maguindanao include the concreting of the four-kilometer Parang-Buldon Road in the towns of Parang and Buldon worth Php72 million and the two-kilometer Macabiso-Namuken Taraken Road in Sultan Mastura worth Php40 million.

The one-kilometer, Php12-million, Tubok Municipal Road in Tamparen, Lanao del Sur will also be built.

The regional government has chosen the three towns as partners in the implementation for their capability to undertake such infrastructure projects.

“These projects are part of the continuing legacy of the reform agenda of Governor Mujiv Hataman and DPWH-ARMM to close the gap in terms of unpaved national, provincial and municipal roads in the ARMM,” Loong told reporters after the signing program.

ARMM officials plant bamboo trees in Mamasapano to prevent floods, soil erosion

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 3 (PNA) -- Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Thursday planted bamboo trees at the riverbank of Mamasapano river in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in an effort to prevent frequent soil erosion and floods, officials said.

Hundreds of officials and employees, including youth, civil society organizations, police and soldiers planted more than 500 trees along the historic riverbank where 44 elite police officers, 17 Moro rebels and three civilians were killed in gun battle in January this year.

The ARMM Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO-ARMM) spearheaded the activity in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ARMM).

“Bamboo is a good soil conservation plant. With its widespread root system, it can provide an effective erosion control. It sustains riverbanks and serves as good windbreaks,” Domingo Dagadas of DENR-ARMM said in a statement after the activity.

Engr. Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, RPDO-ARMM executive director, said the activity also highlighted the value of volunteerism in the community in protecting the environment.

Mamasapano is one of the low-lying areas in Maguindanao that sits beside the Liguasan marshland.

The bamboo planting activity was one of the flagship projects identified under the ARMM-Humanitarian Development Action Plan (ARMM-HDAP) for 2015-2016.

Environment officials said bamboo is the most effective plant in holding soil along creeks and riverbanks, thus preventing erosion.

The ARMM-HDAP aims to establish a systematic and coordinated approach in addressing and mitigating the effects of disasters and calamities.

Part of the plan is bamboo planting in the fifteen (15) municipalities in Maguindanao that were affected by the law enforcement operations against the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) last January.

According to Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, the overall goal of the ARMM-HDAP is “to help improve the living condition of the communities affected by calamities and build resilient and empowered communities in a secured environment.”

"We are happy and thankful because the ARMM government took care of us,” Esmael Hasim, chairman of Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano said.

"We thought, we will never recover after the tragic incident on January but we became more hopeful because of the continuous assistance to us,” Hasim added.

Bamboo tree planting was one of the intervention the ARMM government has done in Barangay Tukanalipao on top of the construction of a concrete foot bridge and a Mosque.

ARMM education execs mull extension of new education approach

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 2 (PNA) -- In addressing the poor academic performance in basic education in the region, Education officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are considering the sustainability of the alternative delivery model (ADM) as a new approach.

According to Marjuni Maddi, assistant secretary for academics of Department of Educsation in ARMM, said the region is “considering the continuation of ADM in ARMM communities after the program ends in 2017.”

To realize that, consultations with stakeholders and reviewing the policies of the DepEd central office would be conducted before ADM is extended beyond the program’s original duration.

“We need to consider the readiness of ARMM and the DepEd central office’s policies to sustain ADM as a program,” Maddi said.

The ADM is a component of the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao that aims at supporting the ongoing efforts of the Philippine government to address long-term education issues in ARMM.

Implemented by BRAC Philippines, the program established learning centers in poor, conflict-affected, and disadvantaged communities in ARMM to give out-of-school children access to basic education.

It provides catch-up opportunities for the young children in remote and deprived communities of the region where regular public education is not easily accessible.

It was first implemented in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and has since already been built 1,220 learning centers across ARMM including seven floating centers in coastal areas in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

These learning centers have benefited 38,084 students from kindergarten to grades 1 to 3.

According to Maddi, the learning achievements of students in ADM centers showed parallel performances with those in public schools. The idea was reinforced during the national research forum on ADM conducted on September 1 in Makati City.

The forum was aimed at sharing the initial findings of three studies conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Banos Foundation, Inc., University of Melbourne, and University of Southeastern Philippines on the ADM-BRAC learning centers in ARMM.

The studies showed that the BRAC learning centers significantly contributed to the increasing access to basic education; students in public schools and in BRAC learning centers show parallel performance in academic achievements.

It also showed that BRAC learning centers have generally prepared their learners to a satisfactory level of readiness for the next grade level.

Almost 70 officials from DepEd-ARMM, Australian and Bangladeshi embassies, and representatives from BRAC Philippines, Australian Aid, the academe and various international nongovernmental organizations working for education in ARMM attended the event.

Elvin Ivan Yu, DepEd central office assistant secretary for programs and projects, admitted that despite the intensified and aggressive educational reform programs in the country, a lot has to be done.

“As we continue to improve the basic education system in the Philippines, there are learners who are still marginalized by the system,” Yu said.

“We will keep on engaging the sectors from the academe, local governments, development sectors, and partners to see how we can further refine this model and really come up with innovative and sustainable solutions that can serve our communities better in the coming years,” Yu added.

DAR-ARMM strengthens project implementation partnerships to benefit ARBs

(IEroy/PBChangco-PIA Cotabato City)

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) –A number of municipal agrarian reform officers (MAROs) in the province of Maguindanao and partner line agencies attended the 3rd Regular Meeting of the Provincial CARP Implementation Team (PCIT), Thursday, August 27 in this city.

Out of the five component provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), only Maguindanao has its own PCIT.

The PCIT aims to sustain and strengthen the strong partnership between agrarian reform officers and other agencies to help address the land problems and challenges facing agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the said province.

According to ARMM’s agrarian reform sec. Amihilda Sangcopan, the agency is undertaking social preparations in the areas covered by humanitarian development action plan (HDAP) for 2015.

“We requested Php 120 million for the implementation of the said project in Maguindanao. It would benefit the 11 municipalities and 10 ARCs and it is funded under PAMANA funds,” Sangcopan said.

“I believed that HDAP project is the holistic package that we could deliver to them,” Sangcopan added.

The HDAP project covers the provision of common service facilities such as scholarship for children of ARBs that would take courses of BS Agriculture, BS Agro-Economics/Agro-Business, Agro-Forestry and Agricultural Engineering; and provision of social infrastructure, she said.

Sangcopan emphasized, every province in the autonomous region is promising in terms of agrarian reforms and Maguindanao really has a promising land for all the residents urging each and every personnel to continue working hand in hand for the betterment of the province and the ARMM as a whole.

The official issued a directive to all other provincial agrarian reform officers (PAROs) to create their own PCIT to assist the beneficiaries in their respective provinces to help achieve government’s goal of improving quality of life among farmers through the agrarian reform program.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao’s PARO Hadja Bai Cabayan Bacar said they will turn-over on September 11 the completed 6-km concrete road in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao for the easy transport of the agricultural products of agrarian reform beneficiaries to trading centers.

“The World Bank also signified their interest to be our partner for the balot and salted egg project in Kabuntalan – this will give extra income to our beneficiaries,” she added.

The DAR-ARMM is set to conduct the 1st Regional ARB Congress here on September 9, 2015.

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