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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News June 2016

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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
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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.

DOH-ARMM taps youth, social media in campaign versus dengue

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 30 (PNA) -- The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) today urged the youth and the community to take active roles in addressing health issues such as dengue.

Dengue, a killer diseases, is a year-round public health threat and the number of dengue cases in the region is expected to increase, especially that the wet season has started, said Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM Secretary

“The number of dengue cases was down (from last year’s figures)," However, Sinolinding said DOH-ARMM will not be complacent and will continue its campaign to control and prevent this disease.

At least 78 dengue cases with one fatality have been recorded across the ARMM region during the first quarter of this year.

Sinolinding said the number is significantly lower compared with the first quarter of 2015, where 487 cases with five fatalities were reported. This year’s figures indicated roughly an 84 percent decline in the number of cases.

Last year, DOH-ARMM recorded a total of 2,376 dengue cases with 24 deaths across the region. Marawi City has the highest number of cases with 758 followed by Maguindanao province with 614 cases.

Data for the second quarter of this year is still being validated by DOH-ARMM.

Sinolinding stressed that the key to control and to prevent the spread of dengue is correct information relayed to residents, especially to home decision makers like fathers and mothers.

A massive information drive, including symposiums, will be conducted in public schools in the region to create awareness among the members of the community, the DOH-ARMM secretary said.

On June 22, DOH-ARMM in coordination with the region’s Department of Education (DepEd-ARMM) held a dengue symposium at Tenorio Elementary School in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The activity was in line with the celebration of the ASEAN Dengue Day and was attended by around 200 Grade 6 students along with teachers and school nurses from DepEd-ARMM.

Dr. Sinolinding said the information drive targets public school children since they are the most vulnerable sector in the population because of their exposure to the environment where cases of dengue exist.

"We are giving them enough knowledge and information to prevent, control, and to make ways if ever thisdisease will penetrate their households or if they become the victims,” he said.

"They can spread the information they will acquire to their friends, neighbors, family members, and to anyone in their community,” he added.

Aside from radio and mainstream media, Sinolinding said DOH-ARMM is making use of the social media, even through Facebook, the most popular medium of the youth, as means to bring across the message how to avoid the killer, yet highly preventable, disease.

Aside from the symposium, the agency also distributed five Olyset mosquito net rolls to the school. Each roll is 25 meters long and can cover up to six classroom windows.

Sinolinding said that the symposium is just the beginning of the campaign. DOH-ARMM will tap local government units for continuous education and campaign.

He asked ARMM residents to observe the ‘4S’ in dengue prevention and control. The ‘4S’ means: Search and destroy; Seek immediate action; Say no to indiscriminate fogging; andSelf-protection measures.

Dengue is an acute viral infection acquired from the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. This fatal disease usually affects infants and children in tropical and subtropical countries like the Philippines.

Its signs and symptoms include fever that extends from two to seven days, skin flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in severe cases, nose bleeding and bleeding of gums.

Drought-hit IPs in Maguindanao benefit from ARMM-UN/WFP food for work program

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 29 (PNA) -- More than 4,000 indigenous peoples (IPs) in an upland town in Maguindanao have benefited from the food for work program of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after it distributed close to 3,000 sacks of rice and containers of palmoline oil.

Beneficiaries of the program were residents of South Upi, an upland town in Maguindanao and one of the 10 hardest hit by the recent long dry spell.

Implemented by the region’s humanitarian and emergency action response team in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP), the outreach program was led by ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia and UN-WFP Program Officer Michael Argonza.

“This is just the first batch of assistance in the three barangays in South Upi that include Barangay Biarong, Lamud and Bongo, we will also implement this program in other barangays,” Alamia told reporters.

The food-for-work program is only one response in the ARMM action plan for areas recently hit by El Niño as well as areas expected to suffer from La Niña, which is now felt in various parts of Mindanao.

A budget of Php7 million was earmarked by the ARMM for the food-for-work program in South Upi alone.

Alamia explained that under the program, the government hires target beneficiaries to plant root crops and in cleaning up drainage canals and other infrastructures. Each beneficiary will be paid each month one sack of rice and palmoline oil.

She also explained that the farmers have nothing to lose but more to gain in this program because those who receive the assistance for three months will also get the bulk of the harvest from the farms they planted with crops.

She also reiterated that her office will continue to monitor the progress of the program.

One of the food for work program beneficiaries is Jonjie Leon, a 22-year-old farmer, who could hardly find a word to express his gratitude for the aid.

“This program means a lot to us, it helps us a lot since there is no assurance if our regular harvest would be enough to feed our family on a daily basis,” Leon said.

Prior to the food distribution on Tuesday, the UN-WFP already provided the same assistance in three barangays namely Looy, Romangaob and Kuya.

“With the help of the ARMM government, we send assistance to different barangays in South Upi not only to help mitigate the effects of drought but also in preparation for the impact of La Niña,” Argonza said.

“We will strengthen the disaster risk reduction management councils in all the municipalities that are severely affected by El Niño and those that would be affected by La Niña,” Alamia said.

Canada to support Mindanao conflict-area residents

By Maya M. Padillo

DAVAO CITY -- Canada announced a 1.25 million Canadian-dollar assistance package to support those living in conflict areas in Mindanao, and will work with civil society partners like Action Against Hunger (ACF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder in an interview said this will contribute to improved food security, health, living conditions, livelihoods and emergency-preparedness to those displaced by conflict in Zamboanga and Maguindanao.

“It is our sincere hope that the new government will-redouble efforts to bring peace to the southern region, an endeavor which Canada will continue to support including through past and future assistance in the area of development cooperation and policing and security training and cooperation,” Mr. Reeder said.

Mr. Reeder said a peaceful and stable Mindanao means a prosperous Mindanao full of opportunity.

He noted that two weeks ago Canada announced C$7.1 million in aid to local civil society partners for projects to improve women and children’s health in targeted regions including Camarines Sur, Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Eastern Samar.

“These initiatives will help reduce stunting in children and reduce maternal-child mortality while improving the delivery of health services,” he said.

Mr. Reeder also said that under the new government Canada’s development assistance will be targeted towards the poorest and the most vulnerable including certain categories of youth and pregnant women and mothers.

“Here in the Philippines working with government and civil society partners our assistance supports sustainable economic growth by improving the climate for investment,” he said.

This year Canada is also celebrating 25 years of its Local Governance Support Program, Canada’s largest bilateral development project in the Philippines to date. Through this project, Canada has helped LGUs including the local government units in Davao Region, improve business practices, leadership, LGU management, resource generation, participatory governance, and local economic development.

Canada has also funded a successful Jobstart partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that helped out-of-school-youth prepare for the job market by providing career guidance services, life skills training, technical training, and work experience through company internships paid by the Government of Canada.

“Thousands of young people who were previously unemployed and lacking access to jobs have now benefited from this program. We are pleased that the Philippine Congress has passed legislation paving the way for this program to have permanent funding.

Canada is also helping the Philippines reach its tourism potential by contributing Canadian dollars of 7 million to a technical assistance project managed by the ADB working closely with the Department of Tourism.

Mr. Reeder said this project provides technical assistance to improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector as well as the efficiency of the tourism labor market through training of tourism sector staff and improved tourism services.

“Better trained tourism industry staff means a happier tourist and more tourists returning to your country for future visits,” he said. --

ARMM now included in BuB program

By Vince Alvic A. F. Nonato (Reporter)

THE Department of Budget and Management will now include the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under the coverage of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) program.

Joint Memorandum Circular No. 7-A, dated June 10, amends the policy guidelines for the BuB’s implementation to include the office of the ARMM regional governor and the ARMM regional departments as implementing agencies.

The circular provides a P20-million budget cap each for the two cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the region’s 116 municipalities.

The Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team for the ARMM will be chaired by the office of the regional governor and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s central office.

The vice-chairpersons are the DILG regional secretary for the ARMM, and a representative each from the DBM and the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

The membership is composed of the secretaries of regional agencies involved in the BuB implementation, all provincial planning and development coordinators in the region, an NAPC sectoral representative residing in the region, the regional coordinator of the Regional Basic Sector Coordinating Council, and all the NAPC provincial focal persons.

The BuB originally excluded the poverty-stricken ARMM from the localized budgetary initiative, as it was expected to benefit from the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which would have created a new autonomous government that receives an annual block grant of 2.4% of the national tax collection, a P17-billion Special Development Fund, and a P1-billion transitory fund. However, the law did not pass in both chambers of Congress.

Army on alert vs. floods in Mindanao

(PNA), SCS/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 26 (PNA) -- All military units under the 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division were placed on heightened alert on Sunday, not against lawless elements, but against possible floods that could submerge communities under its jurisdiction.

This after a low pressure area (LPA) across Mindanao triggered massive downpour the past three days.

In fact, some low-lying communities in Maguindanao have been under knee-deep floods after the water level of Allah River in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat slightly increased.

The water from Allah River ended up in the Liguasan marshland which led to the flooding of Sultan sa Barongis town in Maguindanao and Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat on Friday.

Capt. Joan Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th ID chief, has directed all brigade and battalion commanders in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato to monitor the rivers and waterways in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

At least 30 rivers and tributaries crisscross the adjoining provinces and end up along Rio Grande de Mindanao before reaching the Moro Gulf.

“This is part of our calamity protection program,” Petinglay said.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RDRRMC-ARMM) reported that flood waters have submerged low-lying areas of Pikit, Midsayap and Aleosan in North Cotabato and the towns of Sultan sa Barongis, Northern Kabuntalan, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, Datu Piang, Datu Hofer and Kabuntalan Mother in Maguindanao.

Also on Sunday, Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the ARMM said the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) has also been monitoring the situation in flood-prone areas in Maguindanao.

The were no reported casualties in the flooded areas.

DAF-ARMM consults stakeholders in agri-development programs

(PNA), ZST/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- To ensure active participation of agriculture and fishery department front liners, the Department of Agriculture and Fishery in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) conducted consultations with major program implementations.

Alexander Alonto, DAF-ARMM regional secretary, said in a statement that first to participate in the ARMM roadmap community consultations were front liners from Maguindanao's first district, headed by team leader Lucia Nul.

Nul said about 60 participants composed of municipal agriculture officers, agriclture technologists, extension workers, farmers, farmer-cooperatives associations joined the day-long consultations on Friday.

Alonto said the consultation aims to consider stakeholders' insights and recommendations on Governance, Peace & Security and Socio-Economic (GPS-SE) and its underlying issues/agenda.

"It is important that policy makers of the department always consider the insights of those in the front line of any government program to make the project effective," Nul told reporters.

She said that during the consultations, the participants were able to voice out and write their answers on specific issues on a metacard during the workshop that included security issues and hazardous work place.

Maguindanao is one of the five provinces in the ARMM where recurring armed conflicts prevent completion of any government programs that would supposedly benefit the people these armed groups are claiming to protect.

Alonto said the outputs on the consultationa from Maguindanao I & II, Lanao del Sur I & II and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will be consolidated and to be presented before ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman on June 28.

Improving the agriculture sector is among the top 8 agenda of Hataman, who was reelected to his second term as regional chief executive officer.

ARMM port revenue improves in first half of 2016

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 24 (PNA) -- Port authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) announced Friday a huge improvement of port revenues as compared to previous years.

Hexan Mabang, Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA-ARMM) and Polloc Port manager, attributed the increased revenue to "restored confidence of importers and shipping firms to the port administration and the regional government."

In a statement, Polloc Port management reported that in 2015, it generated PHP91.052 million in port duties and taxes.

During the first six months of 2016, the port has already collected PHP57.373 million revenues, Mabang said.

Mabang said since reforms were instituted in the port, the major and lone gateway to mainland part of ARMM and Region 12, port activities have greatly improved.

He said the number of domestic, regional and international vessels using the port have increased.

In a report to Bureau of Customs (BOC) Davao where the Polloc Port was under supervision, Mabang said many traders in the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao prefer goods coming in via the Polloc Port because of improved services and safety of transport vehicles that bring the goods from the port to North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

"This is in support of Gov. Mujiv Hataman's desire to make the free port priority point of entry of goods in the region," Mabang said.

Mabang said since the port is already experiencing congestion of huge and foreign vessels, he submitted a proposal to the regional government for consideration about possible 200 to 300 meter length extension of the current 400 meter berthing place for vessels.

DOH-ARMM conducts anti-dengue symposium

By McMorrie Bidara (InterAksyon.com)

COTABATO CITY - The Department of Health Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) office conducted a symposium on dengue fever Wednesday at Tenorio Elementary School, Datu Odin, Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The activity was in line with the celebration of the ASEAN dengue day.

Around 200 Grade 6 pupils, along with their teachers and school nurses from the region's Department of Education (DepEd-ARMM) attended the symposium.

Aside from the symposium, the agency also distributed five Olyset mosquito net rolls to the school. Each roll is 25 meters long and can cover up to six classroom windows.

The activity bears the theme "Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue: 4S Pagtibayin."

Indonesian govt offers scholarships

(The Standard)

COTABATO CITY—The government of Indonesia has pledged to bring 30 Islamic theology students on a scholarship program in Aceh, according to Imam Alzad Sattar, regional undersecretary for Islamic studies of the Department of Education-ARMM.

Sattar said scholarship agreement was forged last June 17 by the ARMM government, the Indonesian Embassy and the Yayasan Sukma School in the Aceh.

Aceh, an Indonesian region in Sumatra, is a known Islamic bastion with several government-run schools teaching Islamic theology courses.

According to lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., chief of staff of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, the 30 scholars, who will enjoy free tuition, textbooks, uniforms and accommodation are expected to become teachers upon their return to ARMM.

Mitmug said the scholarship program will benefit mostly the Madaris Education Bureau that handles Islamic peace education subjects in public schools.

Dr. John Magno, DepEd-ARMM regional secretary, sees the partnership between ARMM and Indonesian government will complement the peace initiatives of the regional government.

Magno said they are finalizing the process of screening the scholars who would be sent to Aceh.

25,000 Maguindanao town residents to get safe drinking water

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

DATU SAUDI, Maguindanao June 21 (PNA) -- The 25,233 residents of this town have long been waiting for safe and potable drinking water.

The recurring armed hostilities involving Moro bandits and government forces made life very difficult for inhabitants, especially in evacuation centers.

But within the next 18 months, this problem will be considered a thing of the past, according to Engineer James Mlok, chief of the Second District Engineering Office (DEO) in Maguindanao.

Mlok said Datu Saudi Ampatuan, more popularly known as "Pink town" because it is the dominant color of houses, places of worships and the municipal hall. It is also the favorite color of Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom.

Engr. Don Loong, Department of Public Works and Highways regional secretary in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM), said the town will soon have water supply facility in yet another infrastructure project complementing the Southern Mindanao peace process.

Loong said Datu Saudi shall be included in areas that are to be provided by the ARMM government with water supply facilities using the regional government’s 2017 infrastructure subsidy.

He said the town has mountain springs that can be tapped to supply water to peasant enclaves in low-lying areas.

Loong said a research firm, the Woodlands Consultancy, have already started study on the viability and costing of the planned “level 3” water supply projects in Datu Saudi.

He explained that a “level 3” water system is one that is built right at the source, designed to supply clean, potable water to households.

On the other hand, Levels 1 and 2 water supply facilities are those from where villagers can fetch clean water which they can bring home for drinking and cooking using containers.

"We will bring the water to peoples' homes," Loong said of the project.

Once completed, the Datu Saudi Ampatuan water project will be region's 51st water supply facilities built in the past four years.

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

Engr. Mlok said his office has already identified large mountain springs that can be tapped as supply water sources. Today, villagers use gravitational downstream force so water from springs could reached their homes or roadsides where they can fetch drinking and water for washing.

Mlok said his district has PHP20-million budget allocation for water systems until 2017.

Mayor Dimaukom has lauded the DPWH-ARMM and REgional Gov. Mujiv Hataman for including his town as among the priority areas for water project.

Royal Brunei Armed Forces execs arrive in Maguindanao for Ramadan visit

By John Unson (philstar.com)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Top officials of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces on Thursday paid their compatriot-peacekeepers in Central Mindanao a “Ramadan visit” and offered dates as gift.

It is a sunnah (tradition) among Muslims to feast on dates after a day-long fast during the month-long Ramadhan.

The visiting dignitaries, Generals Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya and Dato Paduka Seri Mohamad Tawih bin Abdullah and Police Commissioner Dato Seri Pahlawan Shah Al Islam, were personally welcomed at the Maguindanao Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat town by Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Pangilinan led the traditional planeside military honors for them as they alighted from the aircraft that flew them from Brunei to the Maguindanao Airport.

Senior military officials in Brunei regularly visit their compatriots helping enforce the government-MILF ceasefire during the Ramadan.

Muslims abstain from food and drink at daytime as a religious obligation and as atonement for wrongdoings when they observe the Ramadan fasting season, which lasts for one lunar cycle, about 28 to 29 days. Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

They also focus on charitable acts and reconcile with adversaries during the Ramadan, which is for them a “holy month.”

Brunei has a contingent in the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), which is helping oversee since 2004 the ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Soldiers from Brunei are helping observe the enforcement of the interim truce in all of the 36 towns in Maguindanao province, through their office in Cotabato City.

The IMT is comprised of soldiers and policemen from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia and non-uniformed conflict resolution experts from Japan, Norway and the European Union.

Basilan midwife receives 'Bayani ng Kalusugan Award'

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - A dedicated midwife in Basilan will receive on June 23 from President-elect Rodrigo Duterte the “Bayani ng Kalusugan 2016 Award” for her loyal servitude to local Muslims and Christians.

Physician Kadil Sinolinding Jr., health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), on Saturday said public midwife Virginia Cadano, a hardworking health worker in Lamitan City, is popular for her dedication to work and commitment to serve the needy.

“She was chosen as this year’s `Bayani ng Kalusugan’ for her exemplary service to the local communities,” Sinolinding said.

The grant of such award to nominees is a yearly program of the national office of the Department of Health (DOH) in recognition of the hardships and sacrifices of workers in the medical service throughout the country.

Functions and powers of the DOH had been devolved to the ARMM government based on the region’s charter, Republic Act 9054.

Cadano said she attributes her feats in serving the Muslims and Christians in Lamitan City to the support of their mayor, Rose Furigay, and ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, himself a native of Basilan. Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Sinolinding said Cadano will receive the award during a program on June 23 at the Manila Hotel in Manila, which Duterte will attend as special guest.

“That award is a badge of honor for the rank-and-file personnel of the DOH-ARMM,” Sinolinding said.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Cadano is supposedly assigned only in a birthing facility of the DOH-ARMM in Barangay Limook in Lamitan City, but has also been serving poor patients in far-flung areas nonetheless, unfazed by security constraints.

“It is a shame and scandal not to work hard seeing our mayor, the ARMM governor and Doctor Sinolinding work hard even in dangerous places. We too must follow suit,” Cadano said.

The city government of Lamitan and Hataman's office will also extend simple honor rites to Cadano to complement her special citation from the central office of DOH.

PCAARRD funds project to boost rubber latex yield in Basilan

(PNA), SCS/MCCA

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has funded a project that will boost the rubber latex yield in Basilan.

The "S&T Community-Based Farms (STCBF) on Promoting Rubber Plantations in the Province of Basilan, ARMM" is the first research and development (R&D) project of Basilan State College (BasSC).

It targets to increase the rubber latex yield by 1.92 metric tons dry rubber (DR)/hectare per year from the current yield of 1.28 metric tons DR/hectare per year.

PCAARRD said this can translate to a 50 percent increase in the farmers' income per hectare every year.

The project was approved through the request of DOST-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Secretary Myra Mangkabung Alih, who is also a rubber farmer.

Aside from providing farmers with rubber clones, the project will focus on the establishment of 0.5 hectare of nursery and 0.5 hectare of budwood and multiplication garden to propagate the seven NSIC recommended clones: the PB217, PB235, PB260, PB311, PB330, RRIM600, and USM1.

The nursery and garden will be under the care of BasSC–Lamitan City Campus. Also, model rubber farms will be established by farmer cooperators to showcase the best management practices that will be introduced by the project.

BasSC President Nasser Salain, Al-Haj committed to deliver the project's targets so that the province can realize its objective of providing farmers with high-yielding clones from the budwood garden and nursery.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the ARMM (DAF-ARMM), Basilan ranks as the third major producer of rubber in the country, with total production area of 45,308 hectares.

However, despite the large area for production, the average latex production is still below the national average of 1.28 metric tons per hectare per year.

ARMM, MTRCB to host forum on media's role in Mindanao peace process

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 17 (PNA) -- Recognizing the vital role of media in the Mindanao peace process, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) will hold a forum to further improve media coverage, officials here said Friday.

The event, dubbed "Forum on Movies and Television: Can it Bridge Peace, Mindanao and the Bangsamoro?" will be held on Monday, June 20, in Quezon City.

It will gather 30 MTRCB officials, talents, production staff, as well as movie and TV writers.

Among the topics at hand for discussions is the role of media and MTRCB in sustaining the gains of the peace process in Mindanao and the non-stereotyping of Muslim-Filipinos towards national understanding through history, arts and culture.

Forum speakers include Sittie Jehanne Mutin, chairperson of the ARMM’s Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women; Atty. Jose Lorena, undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process-Malacanang; and actor and peace advocate Robin ‘AbdulAzis’ Padilla.

“The ultimate goal of the forum is to strengthen Filipino nationalism and understanding,” Mutin said.

“The activity will be a venue for dialogue and exchange of ideas on sustainable peace among ARMM, MTRCB and other stakeholders,” she added.

During the event, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and MTRCB chairperson Eugenio Villareal will also sign on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would help bridge the gap between public perception on Muslim culture and way of life by correcting media’s common misconceptions.

MTRCB board members Maria Lourdes Lilia Supnet and Jay Revestir, chairperson Mutin and ARMM-Manila laiason officer Jolly Lais will witness the signing ceremony.

The MoU will commit the two parties to conduct collaborative media literacy symposium involving MTRCB, the ARMM, and media practitioners including film directors, producers and writers.

Simultaneous with the day-long activity is the launching by ARMM and the MTRCB, education information drive that would increase public awareness on the role of women in nation-building and the Magna Carta of Women on film and to uphold, preserve and advance the cultural beliefs, practices and values of the Muslim community.

Aside from the forum on Monday, the MTRCB will also hold "Matalinong Panonood" – a series of seminars on public information and education initiatives to correct the depiction of the Muslim community in movies and television.

BaSulTa to experience steady power supply

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 16 (PNA) -- Residents of island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will soon experience stable power supply after a local corporation on Thursday committed to improve electricity in the three areas, officials announced Thursday.

The three adjoining provinces are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces are the other two component provinces.

After securing a power purchase agreement from the Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Kaltimex Rural Energy Corp. – the local affiliate of an Indonesian-Indian firm known for its expertise in providing power in off-grid islands in Indonesia – has decided to make available a PHP400-million eight-megawatt diesel-fed power barge in Tawi-Tawi.

The project will expand its capacity in the future through co-generation with a solar power plant, according to Lawyer Ishak Mastura.

Mastura, chair of the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI-ARMM), said Kaltimex is also planning to put up a similar project in the province of Sulu and is now coordinating with the Sulu Electric Cooperative. Part of the company’s investment strategy is to provide services in off-grid and isolated island electric power markets, or SPUG (small power utilities group), in the Philippines including Basilan.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman and managing head of the ARMM Regional Board of Investments (RBOI-ARMM), said “Sulu archipelago suffers from perennial brownouts, or no running electricity at all, in many of its parts.”

He said “it is literally gripped in darkness because electricity coverage is sporadic. Some communities have no access at all to electric power.”

“Even if there is electricity in some parts, there is a long-running energy deficit due to lack of additional power generation capacity and dilapidated equipment. Thus, they suffer from regular brownouts with only a few hours of power in a 24-hour cycle,” Mastura added.

Mastura said that electric power access brings many benefits to the communities and their residents such as access to a range of social, economic, and technological advances. He added that the Kaltimex project will improve the “dire situation” in the island provinces of ARMM in terms of human and economic development.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman emphasized that among the primary goals in his new term is to make sure that Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi will have no more brownouts through more energy investments that will in turn power industries and bring light to the islands’ communities.

In the first quarter of 2016, RBOI-ARMM registered a PHP1.3-billion project from Gintong Agri Corp, a company engaged in oil palm plantation development.

The region already exceeded its target for 2016 of P900 million investments. In 2015, the agency registered a total of PHP6.5 billion, the biggest in the history of the ARMM.

ARMM to build more bridges, road networks for quick movement of agri products to market places

(PNA), SCS/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 15 (PNA) -- More bridges will be constructed in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to connect farming communities separated by rivers to market places in town centers, public works officials said.

Engr. Don Loong, Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Secretary for ARMM, said farmers who expect to harvest crops in the coming months following the entry of the rainy season will have "all time access" to market their products.

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

In Barira town in Maguindanao, DPWH-ARMM is constructing a six-kilometer road artery that will connect far-flung villages planted to corn and other high value crops so products can be easily accessed to trading centers in the Poblacion.

According to Loong, the road project is a joint initiative of his office and that of the local government of Barira.

Once completed, the road artery would lead to possible water supply sources that could provide potable drinking water to the people of Barira.

Loong said the DPWH-ARMM already constructed several water supply facilities in remote towns and villages from 2013 to 2015.

Barira, a highly agricultural town, is home to ethnic Iranuns, whose main source of income is corn farming and livestock-raising.

Loong also announced that aside from road projects, already in the pipeline are bridges and multipurpose buildings as well as seaports and fish landing areas for communities at the region's coastline.

‘Practical measures to achieve rice sufficiency’

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao: Incoming Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol is set to adopt communal irrigation system, a simple yet practical measure, instead of constructing big dams, to ensure increase in rice production in the country.

Pinol said one of the things he would prioritize during his first 100 days in office is to check all irrigation facilities in the country.

The former governor of North Cotabato province recently toured the countryside of Mindanao to see for himself the needs of the farmers as he prepares for his new job.

“Yes, we do have irrigation facilities. But look, they are already silted. If there’s no rain, there’s no water there,” he pointed out.

He explained that communal irrigation, like, putting up water pumps, especially in upland areas, will ensure the country’s food sufficiency especially on rice production.

“If we can only target additional one million hectares for rice and corn, and put up water pumps in those areas, we don’t need to import. You know, agriculture is simple. If we don’t have water, we cannot plant,” Pinol pointed out.

Instead of focusing on irrigation, he lamented, agriculture officials during the previous administrations were geared towards rice importation.

“Some government officials are open for importation because that’s where they could earn money,” Pinol divulged.

The province was considered one of the biggest rice suppliers in South and Central Mindanao.

He cited the Malitubog-Maridagao (Mal-mar) irrigation dam in Carmen, North Cotabato as a classic case of how inept the government was in addressing problems in agriculture.

The dam was built in early ‘90s, the biggest foreign-funded projects in the country and some P4 billion was spent for the project to ensure rice sufficiency in North Cotabato. Funds came from a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

It started in October 1989, which was supposed to be completed six years later. But almost three decades later, the project is still idle. The original cost had to be revised to P3.4 billion, according to the incoming agriculture secretary.

He emphasized that the project, once completed, is supposed to irrigate more than 10,000 hectares of land straddling the municipalities of Pikit and Carmen in Cotabato, and Pagalungan and Pagagawan in Maguindanao—most of them considered conflict affected areas.

“How many billions of pesos do we need to complete the Mal-mar project? President-elect Duterte is 71. I am 62. If we wait for another 10 years to complete such project, we will never be able to achieve food sufficiency. We only need communal irrigation, simple yet practical,” Pinol explained.

(Where I've Been) The hypnotic 'Blue Lagoon' of Maguindanao

By Valerie Ann Lambo (Rappler.com)

In Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) in Maguindanao, there exists a lagoon with serene waters an aquamarine color so pure it looks Photoshopped, so crystal-clear that you can see the waterbed even in the deepest parts.

People often recall that the majestic sight almost always leaves them speechless, even breathless. That's how many feel when they see the Blue Lagoon.

Discovered a long time ago, "Blue Lagoon" is named after the heavily hued water that seems to try and fill the brim of the pond. Residents said the water flows into Tamontaka River and comes from the high lands of Labungan, DOS and North Upi, both located in Maguindanao. It's about 20 minutes from Cotabato City, in Barangay Margues.

Generally, most swim in the area where the water's shade ranges from aquamarine to blue, where it is a darker blue, it means the water is already on the deep side, approximately 6 to10 feet.

Muslima Alamansa, 40, who lived near the lagoon since birth, describes the lagoon as “God’s beautiful masterpiece, of majestic beauty and wonders."

“When tourists visit the lagoon, they always tell they have fallen in love with its beauty. And they come back once in a while,” Alamansa said.

Visitors from neighboring towns mostly flock to the Blue Lagoon during summer time and weekends where families and friends go for a swim and picnic.

Residents here are deeply involved in protecting the lagoon which has now gained popularity.

Alamansa, a vegetable farmer, considers the place an iconic tourist destination in Maguindanao and feels strongly about the protection and preservation of the place.

"This place is free for anyone who wants relaxation and good time. Thus, we are encouraging them to take good care of it. This is not ours, this came from nature," she said.

San Miguel to develop energy in ARMM

By Voltaire Palaña

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help develop the region through investments in industries ranging from energy to ports and bulk water facilities.

SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang and ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman struck the deal on June 8, which initially establishes an agreement for Ang’s SMC Global Power to build a power plant in ARMM to help provide long-term solutions to Mindanao’s power crisis.

Ang said ARMM represents one of the most under-penetrated markets in the Philippines, “but is a region ripe for investment offering huge potential growth.”

San Miguel’s investment in ARMM is in line with its strategy to locate facilities and production centers outside urban centers, creating strong “second-tier cities,” generating jobs, and rebalancing the national economy by income and growth dispersal, Ang.

San Miguel has committed to build a power plant over the next two years that will serve the estimated 573,446 households across the entire ARMM region. At present, only 30 percent of households in the region have electricity. Brownouts, particularly during the summer months, are frequent.

No financial or technical details of the proposed power plant were provided. As of now, rapid assessments and feasibility studies will be conducted to determine sources of power, the capacity, and viability of existing power plants in ARMM.

On a nationwide basis, SMC’s power generation company has set a goal to build P200 billion worth of power plants across the Philippines for an additional 1,200 megawatts (MW) to the grid.

‘Vote of confidence’

Instability, lack of infrastructure, and lack of a stable power supply has made investors wary, but Ang said that he hoped San Miguel’s vote of confidence in the troubled region would create much-needed jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, and ease worries over perceived investment risks.

“San Miguel has shown great vision by choosing to invest in ARMM. Over the next few years, we’re going to see what can be achieved when the private and the public sector work together with the best interests of the local communities at heart,” Hataman said.

Hataman’s office highlighted the P37 billion in terms of infrastructure investment in ARMM during his tenure, which has provided more than 1500 kilometers of roads and other vital infrastructure like ports and water supply systems.

However, the weakness of ARMM that prevents it from building industries like rubber processing plants, seaweed processing plants, sardines factories, ice plants to prolong fish catch value, and coconut processing plants, is its shortage of power, both Ang and Hataman pointed out. Unlike roads, agriculture and fisheries, no department is tasked to resolve the power crisis in ARMM since power is private-sector led.

ARMM is comprised of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

ARMM relief, health workers happy to serve Lanao evacuees due to Ramadan

(PNA), PGL/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 11 (PNA) --- Muslim health and aid workers continued providing assistance to evacuees displaced by armed hostilities in Lanao del Sur saying it was more meaningful because of Ramadan.

Outgoing Lanao Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr on Friday said health and relief workers kept themselves busy attending to the needs of some 1,359 families from six villages of Butig town in Lanao del Sur “because doing so make their fasting month more meaningful and fulfilling.”

Charity is one of the things a Moro has to do during the entire fasting month.

Adiong also lauded the Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) and the region’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) for coming over to join the relief efforts.

Earlier, HEART staff and ARMM Vice Gov. Al Rashid Lucman and Dr. Allen Minalang of Lanao del Sur provincial health office have extended aid to displaced families.

The military has launched offensives against the Maute Brothers whose armed followers pledge allegiance to international terrorist groups. The offensive was launched after the bandits ambush a military convoy in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Suspension of military offensive was declared unilaterally by the Army’s 103rd to allow uninterrupted observance of fasting month by Maranaos.

With the offensive halted, Adiong, Lanao Sur’s incoming vice governor, said provincial and regional health workers attend to the health needs of affected families.

DOH intensifies intervention on diarrhea outbreak in Samar, ARMM and Zamboanga

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, June 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday it has intensified coordination and intervention in its efforts toward addressing the diarrhea outbreak in some areas in Samar, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Zamboanga City.

“All water sources found positive for fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli were chlorinated and disinfected so it will be safe for human consumption. This also includes distribution of medicines, aquatabs or water disinfectant tablets, and jerry cans to the affected areas and information dissemination to the public on the importance of proper hygiene and water safety,” said DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin.

She stressed that proper hygiene, cleanliness of surroundings and water safety are the primary preventive measures against diarrhea.

It can be recalled that the local health offices of Sulu and Basilan in the ARMM have noted increasing cases of diarrhea which were admitted in different hospitals.

A total of 4,060 cases were reported as of June 6, 2016.

Most of those affected were children 0-4 years old (71 percent) and 54 percent were males.

There were 33 deaths reported, with some deaths due to other associated illnesses like pneumonia, severe dehydration, malnutrition and cardio-respiratory arrest.

Meanwhile, increasing diarrhea cases from some Samar provinces were also reported to the DOH.

As of June 8, 2016, there was a total of 1,160 diarrheal diseases.

The municipality of Calbiga had 215 out of the 1,160 cases; followed by Catbalogan City with 204 cases, and Sta. Rita with 114 cases. There were 21 deaths.

In Zamboanga City, officials have reported some 3,000 diarrheal diseases due to rotavirus and norovirus since late March, including 22 fatalities.

This has prompted health officials to take actions to prevent additional cases.

Fecal Coliform bacteria are the most common microbiological contaminants of natural water.

The presence of these bacteria indicates that the source of water is contaminated with feces or sewage, and it has the potential to cause the disease.

On the other hand, Escherichia coli or E. coli bacteria can be acquired from contaminated water or food — especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef.

These kinds of bacteria are found in great quantities in the intestines of people and warm-blooded animals.

The DOH Chief noted that the bacteria causing diarrhea may also be acquired through unsanitary handling of food and water.

“Therefore, the public is advised to drink water only from safe sources. If unsure, boil water for three minutes. Eat only food that are well-cooked and properly prepared. Keep food away from insects and rats by covering them. Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating or cooking. Use toilet when defecating and always wash hands with soap and water before and after eating and after using the toilet,” she said.

"Sama-sama nating labanan ang iba't ibang sakit at protektahan ang ating pamilya sa pamamagitan ng paghugas ng kamay, at paglilinis ng ating kapaligiran... Tandaan na sa kalusugan, laging sagot ang kalinisan," Dr. Garin said.

DOH eyes smoke-free ARMM region, honors 3 offices with Red Orchid Awards

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 8 (PNA) -- While other government agencies are yet to fully implement anti-smoking policies in government offices, the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has been awarding ARMM offices that bans smoking in its premises, health officials here said.

Three regional line agencies were given Red Orchid Awardconferred three regional line agencies with the "Red Orchid Award," according to Joery Delumpia Amad, assistant nurse coordinator of the Health department’s tobacco prevention and control program, said.

The Red Orchid Award is an annual search for 100 percent "Tobacco-Free Environment" in government offices, hospitals and local government units (LGUs).

To qualify, the agency, hospital, or LGUs must first submit filled self assessment forms to the regional DOH-Center for Health Development for screening and validation.

Amad said the awardees were Department of Education (DepEd-ARMM), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ARMM) – a two time awardee, and the Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO-ARMM) – an awardee for three consecutive years and thus considered a "hall of famer."

After submission of assessment forms, DOH will check and validate by providing technical assistance including orientation and environment checking. When nominated, the DOH national office will conduct validation and award the identified office based on the standards provided by the agency.

The DOH Red Orchid Award winners are judged based on the strength of comprehensive efforts to implement a 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment using the World Health Organization MPOWER initiative.

MPOWER is an acronym that denotes the six proven tobacco control policies, namely: Monitor tobacco control policies; Protect people from tobacco smoke; Offer help to quit tobacco use; Warn against the dangers of tobacco; Enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and, Raise taxes on tobacco.

Amad said awardees will receive trophies and certificates of recognition. For LGUs which attained hall-of-famer status, or those awarded for three consecutive years, an additional PHP500,000 would be granted to be utilized for their anti-smoking programs and campaigns.

Amad also said that the local governments of Taraka and Wao, in Lanao del Sur and Tamparan District Hospital were also recipients of the award.

Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general, Amad said.

She said smoking leads to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and is the primary cause of lung cancer. Amad said the agency is targeting a 100 percent tobacco-free ARMM.

She encouraged government offices to apply for the Red Orchid Award.

ARMM needs 933 new teachers, starts selection process

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- Here's one good news for teachers who recently passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) has announced it would fill 933 senior high school teaching positions this year.

According to Mobarak Pandi, DepEd-ARMM regional information officer, said selection process for new teachers have started after it administered an English Proficiency Examination for 1,216 applicants.

Pandi said successful applicants will be hired for teaching positions in senior high schools in the schools divisions of Maguindanao I and II, Lanao del Sur I and II and Marawi City.

Dr. John Magno, DepEd-ARMM regional secretary, said the recruitment of new teachers for ARMM will be strict and, as in the past year, mentors will be hired according to their capacity and competence.

Among the applicants was Montaser Dimaukor, a 24-year old Secondary Education major in Mathematics graduate. He is hopeful he would be given a permanent item as a senior high school teacher in Parang National High School in Parang town, under the division of Maguindanao I.

“DepEd-ARMM has systematic selection process now. Anyone could be hired through the different phases they administer,” Dimaukor said.

Another teaching hopeful, Bainajeer Ali, 20, shared Dimaukor's observance on the new selection process.

"The process has been very competitive. The good ones will surely be selected," she said.

A graduate of Secondary Education major in English last year, Ali passed the LET in March this year. If selected, she wanted to be assigned in Talitay National High School in the town of Sultan Sumagka under Maguindanao II division which is near her home.

On June 1, DepEd-ARMM administered similar examination for teacher applicants from schools divisions of Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Magno stressed that all applicants had to go through a process that includes teaching demonstration, panel interview, and intensive screening of their pertinent papers such as transcript of records, overall average rating in college, and other credentials.

He explained that the processes being undertaken would guarantee that only good quality teachers will be hired in order for students to have a ‘progressive future.’

On April 25, more than 560 elementary and junior high teachers signed their appointment papers and deployment orders in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

A senior high school teacher is expected to receive a monthly salary that range from PHP19,940 to PHP39,493.

Applicants will be ranked according to DepEd’s criteria for evaluation and selection process. The region’s Education department also assured it would follow general guidelines for the hiring and placement of successful applicants.

Based on DepEd’s Department Order No. 23 series of 2016, the school year 2016-2017 will start on June 13 and will end on Friday, April 7, 2017.

OCD-ARMM conducts tsunami drill to Sulu locals

(PNA), PGL/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 7 (PNA) -- When tsunami strikes in Sulu and the surrounding island towns, most of its residents know what to do, a disaster official today said.

About 300 residents of Barangay Suh in Panamao, Sulu have participated in a tsunami drill conducted by the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) Monday in one of the series of training and simulation conducted across the region.

Myrna Angot, OCD-ARMM regional director, lauded the participation of local government officials and the locals during the training which helped educate the people.

Hadja Nur Ada Jairul, Panamao town disaster risk reduction and management office, said before the actual training, a simulation exercises was conducted to include orientation and table top exercise.

She said should calamity like tsunami strikes, the people know what to do and where to go.

The simulation exercise on tsunami aims to test communication systems used in earthquake and tsunami warnings and improve how Panamao local government unit prepare and respond to disasters.

“This drill will significantly help in practicing the contingency plan for tsunami,” Panamao Municipal Mayor HadjiGapor S. Abdurajak said.

Angot said the tsunami drill serves as reminder to those who might not have a plan yet in place should a tsunami hit the coastal barangays of Panamao.

“We must identify an area on high ground to where we can safely relocate. Let us make it sure also there are no potential hazards that may prevent us from using the evacuation route safely,” Angot said.

Responder groups during the drill include Panamao Emergency Responders Team (PERT), MDRRMC, Panamao Municipal Police Station, Department of Health- HEMS Panamao, Bureau of Fire Protection- Sulu, and the Philippine Red Cross- Sulu.

Angot said the training will also be conducted in other coastal towns and provinces of ARMM.

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

Filipino Muslims embark on a month of fasting, sacrifice

By MOH SAADUDDIN, CORRESPONDENT

MARAWI CITY: About 5 million Filipino Muslims, or 5 percent of the country’s population, started observing the holy month of Ramadan Monday, although clerics failed to see the moon on Sunday.

The Regional Darul Ifta’ in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RDI-ARMM) declared the start of Ramadan based on the sighting of the moon in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

“They announced that the beginning of Ramadan is on Monday, so we decided that Monday is the first day of Ramadan,” ARMM’s Grand Mufti Abulkhair Tarason said.

“May the Almighty Allah help us in fasting, accept our good deeds, and pray for our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, his kinsfolk and those who follow him until the hereafter,” he added.

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. greeted Filipino Muslims and urged them to “rise above the barriers of different cultures and faith.”

“To all our Muslim brothers and sisters, my greetings of peace as you observe the holy month of Ramadan. As you go through the spiritual process of purification through fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice may Allah bless you with enlightenment, forgiveness, mercy and peace, bringing you closer to Him and to all your Filipino brothers and sisters,” Marcos said in a statement.

“For truly, as our entire nation faces the crossroads of change, it is even more imperative for us to rise above the barriers of different cultures and faith so we may live together, as one nation, in harmony and progress,” he added.

Other Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates also declared Monday the start of Ramadan.

Last week, Muslim scholars, scientists, astronomers and decision makers from 50 countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, United States, Qatar, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan decided on the application of a single calendar.

The three-day International United Hijri Calendar Congress event was organized by the Office of the President of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) in Istanbul aimed at ending the decades-long disputes on Hijri (lunar) Calendar in the Islamic world and other Islamic unity agenda.

“The congress has ruled for unity. It has decided for the application of a single calendar. May this bring blessings to the Islamic world,” President of Diyanet Prof. Mehmet Görmez was quoted as saying in a global online report.

Görmez said that the decision will enable Muslims worldwide to observe and celebrate events at the same time, including the start and end of Ramadan.

The observance of fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, in which Muslims are obliged to practice “self-sacrifice” by abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.

Other rites during the holy month include evening congregational prayer called Taraweeh, wherein long portions of the Qur’an are recited.

DOST-ARMM opens 3 S&T scholarship grants

(PNA), LAP/NYP/PR

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) has opened three Science and Technology (S&T) scholarship programs for school year 2017-2018.

DOST-ARMM Secretary Myra Mangkabung said the programs include admission to the Philippine Science High School System (PSHS), the Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Program, and the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP).

She urged interested applicants to visit the DOST - ARMM office inside the ARMM compound here or any of their provincial offices to inquire about the grants and avail of application forms and brochures.

Philippine Science High School System

As stated in Republic Act No. 3661, the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) was established to offer on a free scholarship basis a secondary course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to the sciences with the end view of preparing its students for a science career.

The program is intended for incoming Grade 7 students who belong to the upper 10 percent of the graduating class as certified by the school principal or those who have special aptitude in science and mathematics.

To qualify, an applicant must have a final grade of 85% or better in Science and Mathematics; must be a Filipino citizen with no pending or approved application; be born on or after August 1, 2002; must have at least a satisfactory rating (or its equivalent) in his/her Character Rating in his/her report card; not have taken the PSHS examination previously; and preferably be in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program.

The PSHS entrance examination is set on Oct. 22, 2016.

Junior Level Science Scholarship Program

Mangkabung said they’re also offering a scholarship program to third year college students who are currently enrolled in DOST’s priority science and technology courses such as in the field of engineering, basic and applied sciences, and are willing to teach in secondary schools in the country after graduating.

She said the program aims to strengthen the country's science and technology education by helping qualified students finish their degree and encouraging them to impart their knowledge on science, mathematics, and engineering through teaching.

"Our office (DOST-ARMM) wants to produce quality teachers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects," she added.

Mangkabung said graduates of this program will be given priority job placement in secondary schools or will be employed by the Department of Education in a position equivalent to Special Science Teacher I in the Philippine Science High School.

They are also allowed to teach even without the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) eligibility, but have to pass the LET within five (5) years from the date of hiring.

JLSS program beneficiaries are awarded tuition and other school fees amounting to P10,000 per semester or P8,000 per trimestral term; book allowance amounting to P10,000 per year, P6,000 monthly stipend for BS Physics, Applied Physics, Physics Teaching, Geology and Mining Engineering and P5,000 monthly allowance for other priority courses, transportation allowance and group insurance coverage worth of P200,000.

Deadline for filing of application is set on Oct. 15 this year.

Graduate Scholarships Program

Furthermore, Mangkabung said the DOST is set to grant scholarships to graduates in the region who want to pursue a Master's or Doctorate (MS and PhD) degree in various science and technology areas. The program is being implemented through the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program.

"This program aims to boost the global competitiveness for S&T researchers, and produce top-level human resources through provision of scholarship for Master’s and Doctorate degrees," she said.

She said they offer two types of graduate scholarships: the University-based MS/PhD program and Thesis/Dissertation grant support for priority areas of the DOST.

The scholarship awardees may choose from any of the following priority fields of study which includes Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Fisheries and Marine Science, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Pure and Applied Mathematics, Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Pure and Applied Physics.

Muslim religious leaders form team to determine start of Ramadhan

By Edwin O. Fernandez [(PNA), RMA/NYP/EOF]

COTABATO CITY, June 4 (PNA) -- Muslim religious leaders in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have designated Sunday evening (June 5) as the time for moon sighting to confirm the start of Ramadhan this year, a Muslim cleric said Saturday.

Alim Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, Regional Darul Ifta’ (RDI-ARMM) executive director, said his office had installed Newtonian reflector telescope in each of their five provincial offices in the region and in the Darul Ifta' and Ulama of Zamboanga Peninsula to aid in the moon sighting.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri calendar where Muslims are obliged to fast from dawn until sunset. It is considered to be the holiest month in Islam.

Mujahid said clerics and focal persons had been assigned for moon sighting in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and were in close coordination with associates in the neighboring countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore.

Mujahid said once the crescent moon is sighted tomorrow night, the month of fasting officially starts.

He said they wanted to resolve the usual disagreement among Muslims in different parts of the country regarding the start and end of Ramadan.

The RDI-ARMM had earlier organized a convention of Muslim leaders, scholars, and legal experts and representatives of Muslim organizations across the country in May 24 in Zamboanga City to discuss matters about Ramadan.

Mujahid said Ramadan is a "revival of faith, strengthening of relationship with Allah, and of respect and generosity.”

"Ramadan presents us a meaningful message. This revives our imaan (Islamic faith), strengthens our relationship with Allah, and restores broken ties with our relatives," he said, adding it is the "time to reflect upon our deeds in the past months, and a time to ask forgiveness.”

The RDI-ARMM has distributed a calendar that indicates prayer time this Ramadan in each of the ARMM provinces.

"The Ramadan prayer time calendar was calculated accurately per municipality based on the formula given to us by the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration)," Mujahid said.

Meanwhile, the ARMM is organizing a series of month-long activities to highlight the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan in the region.

The activities, which will be held in the region's seat in Cotabato City and in the provinces, include provincial and regional Qur'an memorization contest, Islamic symposia, cultural presentation, free Iftar (fast-breaking), and nightly events sponsored by different ARMM line agencies.

A Ramadan Fair, considered the most popular annual multi-product consumer exhibition in the region, will also open on June 06 at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

In 2015, 40 food exhibitors and 20 non-food exhibitors showcased some of the best goods and products from the five provinces.

DepEd-ARMM gets Aussie aide for Brigada Eskwela

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) on Thursday get a needed boost for school year 2016-2017 with an Australian government grant amounting to PHP8.9 million, officials said.

Dr. John Magno, DepEd-ARMM regional secretary, said the amount will be used for the rehabilitation of more than 270 public schools and more than 50 Madaris (Islamic school).

He said this package is a support by the Australian government through Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM) Program in this year's "Brigada Eskwela."

Dozens of local government-accredited Madaris schools scattered in the region’s five provinces are under the supervision of DepEd-ARMM.

Magno explained that under the BEAM-ARMM program, public schools received tables, chairs, teaching guides and learning devices to selected schools that are to open soon for school year 2016-2017.

"Brigada Eskwela" is an annual one-week school maintenance program aimed at preparing the school for class opening.

It solicited help from parents and well meaning individuals who may donate or contribute materials for school rehabilitation and repainting.

Aside from parents, volunteer police and soldiers have been providing manpower for the school preparation and beautification.

This year's "Brigada Eskwela" theme is “Tayo sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos, at Handa Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Senior High School.”

The DepEd regional secretary said the week-long activity is promoting the traditional "Bayanihan" or volunteerism spirit among students and school stakeholders.

OCD-ARMM, Lamitan City LGU hold successful 'tsunami drill'

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 2 (PNA) -- Residents of coastal villages in Lamitan City are now well equipped with knowledge and techniques on what to do during a tsunami, the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) based here said Thursday.

Myrna J. Angot, OIC of the OCD-ARMM, said her office and the local government of Lamitan City in Basilan have organized a training dubbed as "tsunami drill," aimed at preparing the public for calamities like tidal waves.

The program was designed for only 250 individuals but more than 1,000 persons showed up to participate, Angot said.

The organizers, she said, quickly adjusted to the number and all graduated after the one-day event Wednesday.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank our partners and the rest of actors who made this event possible and successful," Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Furigay said.

"In addition, our deepest thanks to our more than a thousand constituents who took part in the activity. Let me extend my warmest gratitude also to the Office of Civil Defense-ARMM for assisting us,” said Furigay.

In her speech, Furigay reiterated the importance of tsunami early warning system for it provides initial immediate warning to communities on the potentials of tsunami after an earthquake had occurred.

“It is the task of the local government to ensure proper dissemination of disaster warnings to communities, so the community acts accordingly, and there is increasing community preparedness," she said.

Angot said the drill serves a reminder to those who might not have a plan an emergency plan in case a tsunami hits the coastal towns of ARMM.

“Should a tsunami hit your community, you must identify an area on high ground where you can safely relocate. Make sure also there are no potential hazards that may prevent you from using the evacuation route safely," Angot told the participants. "In the event you feel a strong earthquake, do not stay in low-lying coastal areas.”

During an orientation on understanding hazard with Barangay Bato community in Lamitan City, Security Risk Office for Baslan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) Dionisio Mondejar, said that a tsunami may not be necessarily a single wave, but could possibly be a series of waves.

“In this instance, do not return to your respective areas until there is clear notification from local authorities,” said Mondejar.

Lamitan City DRRMO chief Engr. Jay Dompol said there is a reason to be cautious and responsible in using warning signals in order to prevent confusion among the local populace.

“That's where education takes place and everyone in the community needs to be informed of the signals and signs disaster officials will be using to avoid confusion," Dompol said.

Angot said more similar activities are already in the pipeline for several coastal communities in the region this year.

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

DOH-ARMM issues advisory on dengue, other diseases

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, June 1 (PNA) -- As the rainy season officially begins, the Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has advised today residents in the region to take precautionary measures against dengue and water-borne diseases.

According to Christine Joy Capin, DOH-ARMM assistant program coordinator for dengue prevention and control and food and water-borne diseases, said the region normally sees a rise in the number of dengue cases during the rainy season.

Based on that observations, DOH-ARMM has started taking steps to reduce the number of dengue infection this year.

“Residents should observe different measures to combat the spread of the disease," Capin said in a statement.

"Some of the things they should do includes drying stagnant waters in the house, cleaning their roof gutters, immediately seek medical assistance when fever lasts for at least two days, and using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve shirts,” Capin added.

She said the DOH-ARMM is currently conducting an extensive information drive in schools and communities in the region to help minimize the number of dengue cases.

She said health providers down to the barangay level have been encouraging residents to observe the “4S” mechanism in dengue prevention and control.

The “4S” means: Search and destroy; Seek immediate action; Say no to indiscriminate fogging; and Self-protection measures.

Dengue is an acute viral infection acquired from the bite of a female "Aedes Aegypti" mosquito.

This fatal disease usually affects infants and children in tropical and subtropical countries like the Philippines. Its signs and symptoms include fever which extends from 2-7 days, skin flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in severe cases, nose bleeding and bleeding of gums.

During the first quarter this year, DOH-ARMM reported one dengue death and 78 affected by this viral disease across the region composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Compared to last year, Capin said the number is significantly lower. In the first quarter of 2015, 487 dengue cases with five fatalities were reported. DOH-ARMM recorded a total of 2,376 cases with 24 deaths across the region in 2015.

Marawi City recorded the highest number of cases with 758 followed by Maguindanao province with 614 cases.

Capin also cautioned residents against common water-borne diseases like diarrhea, amoebiasis, hepatitis A, and cholera. She added that cold and cough are also very common during the rainy season.

To help prevent the water borne diseases, Capin advised the residents to observe cleanliness and vigilance against possible diseases.

Regular washing of hands before and after meals as well as after using the comfort rooms, will help prevent any disease.

She also advised the locals to wash food that they take outside meals like fruits and vegetables.

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