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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News March 2018

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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.

Marawi fishermen get P2-M fishing needs

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BFAR-ARMM) turned over Tuesday some PHP2 million worth of fishing needs in Marawi City under the agency’s Municipal Fishing Vessel and Gear Registration package, or the BoatR program.

BFAR-ARMM Director Janice Desamito-Musali said this developed after the agency identified the city as one of the best performing local government units (LGUs) in the country in terms of fisheries and management of its aquatic resources. Marawi fishermen get their daily bounty through Lake Lanao, the largest lake in Mindanao and the second largest in the country, which they share with fisher folk from other parts of Lanao del Sur province.

With Marawi Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra witnessing the event at the city hall, BFAR-ARMM personnel led by Desamito-Musali handed over 50 units of non-motorized fiberglass boat with a complete set of accessories, gears (spear guns, fish pots with a bamboo pole each, gillnets and snorkels) and fish stalls to identified beneficiaries.

"It is important that we help our fisher folk by empowering them, not by spoon-feeding them because I don't believe that real fisher folk will starve," Musali said in her speech.

Gandamra, for his part, acknowledged BFAR-ARMM’s assistance, emphasizing that the fishing inputs can support much local fisher folk in their livelihood as the city reels off from a terrorist-instigated siege last year.

The mayor assured that the fishing equipment would be well taken care of amid the city’s continued rehabilitation.

The BoatR program intends to assist and support LGUs on the registration and management of community fishing boats and gears nationwide. More so, the program aims to prescribe a centralized database system to guide LGUs in the conduct of the registration of fishing boats with three gross tonnage and below nationwide.

ARMM launches Pakaradjaan 2018

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) launched on Monday its Pakaradjaan 2018, a year-long celebration signifyiing the solidiarity of its two-city, five-province component.

"Pakaradjaan” is a Tausug and Yakan term for merry-making or special event. It is expected to wrap up in November this year in time for the region’s celebration of its 29th founding anniversary.

The ARMM comprises the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Basilan and Lanao del Sur.

In Maguindanao, the Pakaradjaan 2018 was offically launched in Buluan, the capital town of the province.

Leading the Buluan launch were ARMM Environment Secretary Kahal Kedtag, concurrent Maguindanao village representative for the event; ARMM Boardmember Jazzer King Mangudadatu, ARMM Tourism Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Mangudadatu, and Assistant Secretary Bai Shalimar Candao.

The launch started with a "Kuyog" or a parade showcasing the traditional "Sagayan" or war dance of the Maguindanaons, followed by a short program and unveiling of the Pakaradjaan emblem.

The provincial government of Maguindanao, law enforcers, and ARMM line agencies participated in the launching activity.

Highlighting the Parakadjaan event is the ARMM Villages Expo, a display of mock villages of ARMM tribes at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the autonomous region situated in this city.

The exposition is expected to open next month and will showcase the beautiful culture of the Bangsamoro and exhibit the historic life of the ARMM people. This year’s event has for its theme ”Exemplifying Good Governance in the Bangsamoro.”

159 villages in Maguindanao declared ‘drug-free’

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) declared 159 of 508 barangays in Maguindanao as “drug-cleared.”

In a report, Juvenal Azurin, PDEA-ARMM director, also bared that some 11, 000 drug-dependent individuals in the province have so far yielded to authorities.

During a weekend Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Padac) meeting, Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and Vice Governor Lester Sinsuat lauded the efforts of PDEA-ARMM to curb illegal drug use in the province.

“This meeting aims to strengthten the advocacy of President Rodrigo Duterte to rid the country of illegal drugs, and we in Maguindanao, in coordination with PDEA-ARMM, should respond to the call with vigilance at all times,” the governor told the 36 town mayors and representatives who attended the three-day Padac gathering held in Davao City.

Azurin said their office is looking forward to the swift creation of more Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, through the help of the governor, to purge the province of illegal drugs soonest.

ARMM opens 1,400 summer jobs for students, out-of-school youth

By Manuel Cayon

DAVAO CITY—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has opened the biggest number of summer jobs, in Mindanao, at 1,411, for students and out-of-school youth across the region.

Secretary Muslimin Jakilan of the Department of Labor and Employment-ARMM said the agency has allocated P3.8 million for the program, where the labor department shoulders 40 percent of the salaries of the beneficiaries, while the employers—such as government agencies, local government units, private companies and other sponsor institutions—pays the remaining 60 percent.

“We want to help the students and out-of-school youth to earn money, which they can use to pay for next school year,” Jakilan said.

The registration for employment of applicants has already started and will end during the last week of March. Students work for a period of 25 days.

The program is open to all qualified high-school, college or vocational-course students, and out-of-school youth living in areas assisted by the ARMM under its special livelihood assistance program called ARMM-Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) program.

The regional information office said the ARMM-HELPS “is a development convergence initiative of the regional government covering 553 recipient barangays.”

“We prioritize those students who most need summer jobs,” Jakilan said.

A student applicant is required to submit the following: birth certificate; barangay clearance; certification by the school registrar, or Form 138, or original class card; certificate of good moral character; and parents’ income-tax return, which shows an annual income not exceeding P85,000.

For an out-of-school-youth applicant, a certificate of good moral character issued by their barangay will be required.

Jakilan said applicants may visit the DOLE-ARMM’s regional office at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City, or the labor department offices in their respective provinces.

Meanwhile, in the Davao Region, the interior Compostela Valley province held its own jobs fair that saw the hiring on the spot of many applicants, including Armando Remedios, 40, a resident of Purok 6, Mainit, Nabunturan.

Remedios was among the 11 applicants hired immediately by Bachelor Express Inc., the biggest bus line in Mindanao and the Visayas.

Remedios said he used to work in the farm that earned him little. He filed applications for jobs conducted during the annual Bulawan Festival and Trade Fair last week.

The jobs fair organized by the province’s Public Employment Service Office gathered 12 local government agencies and four overseas agencies. National government agencies that participated included the Philippine Statistic Authority, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Social Security System, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Maguindanao health team attends to 1K poor residents

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

BULUAN, Maguindanao – At least 1,200 indigent residents of three Maguindanao towns received medical and other health services from the provincial government during a medical mission last March 21-23.

Lynette Estandarte, Maguindanao budget officer and head of Maguindanao Peoples Medical Team (MPMT), said a total of 1,279 individuals are from the upland towns of North Upi, Barira and Buldon.

She said recipients from the remote villages of the three towns received medical and dental services from the provincial medical team as well as its partners – military physicians and nurses from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Aside from medical and dental services, free medicines and vitamins were also given to the recipients who were grateful the provincial government reached out to them.

“We extended medical consultations, circumcision and even free haircut to children,” Estandarte said.

Estandarte said the medical team has been roaming around far flung communities to bring health services right at their doorstep as ordered by Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu.

“He cannot be here to serve you but he sent us to assist you on your health needs,” Estandarte told the recipients in the vernacular.

The 15-man Maguindanao people's medical team is composed of a two lady physicians, four nurses and health assistants. It quickly responds to address the health needs of internally displaced families in Maguindanano where armed hostilities between Moro rebels and government forces send poor families out of their homes into evacuation centers.

Estandarte said highly communicable diseases normally spread in thickly populated and unsanitary environment “so that is the reason why we need to quickly respond on the first day of mass displacements in Magundanao.”

Lanao Sur, Maguindanao residents get P25M agri assistance

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – At total of P25 million in agricultural assistance was given to residents in some areas of Lanao del Sur, including Marawi City, and Maguindanao who were affected by conflicts.

Nearly 500,000 were displaced during the five-month siege of Marawi City and hundreds more were affected by atrocities committed by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao.

The aid—whose main objective is to boost local agricultural production—came from the Kingdom of Belgium and was coursed through the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whose representatives visited Marawi on March 19 and 20.

According to FAO, the assistance will benefit communities in Marawi City and outlying municipalities of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, which are just starting to get back on their feet after conflicts destroyed much of their areas and livelihood.

In a statement, FAO noted that the conflicts have taken a heavy toll on rural livelihoods and industries, as well as the food supply and agribusiness value chain, on which smallholders depend for their daily subsistence.

FAO said Belgium gave cash and was channeled through the FAO-SFERA (Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities) to fund the purchase and distribution of rice, corn vegetable seeds, fertilizer, farming tools and broiler chicken production packages to 4,949 farming families in Marawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Among the recipients of the assistance are displaced families who are staying with their relatives, host communities and in evacuation centers, including agrarian reform beneficiaries.

“The Government of Belgium and its people hope that our contribution will help ensure that those affected by the Marawi crisis are able to recover as quickly as possible,” Belgium Ambassador to the Philippines Michel Goffin said during his most recent visit to Marawi.

FAO Representative in the Philippines José Luis Fernandez said: “We acknowledge that recovery and rehabilitation take some time, but the concerted efforts of government, non-government organizations, and communities are already making positive impacts to the people affected by the crisis. We must continue working together to sustain the gains we have achieved so far.”

Fernandez said FAO’s emergency and recovery response to the Marawi crisis focuses on rehabilitating the agriculture and fisheries sector, restoring the food supply chain in affected communities, and helping farmers reclaim their lost livelihoods so that they can begin rebuilding their lives.

Working closely with various partners and stakeholders, FAO has also mapped out a short- to medium-term strategic response plan to restore the food supply and agribusiness value chain in Marawi and other affected municipalities and enable them to be better linked to regional markets.

ARMM eyes flood control projects in Maguindanao

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will pursue high-ticket flood control projects as the southern peace process wind up with ARMM’s likely replacement with a Bangsamoro political entity.

ARMM’s planning director, Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, said Thursday among the issues discussed during the meeting here of the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board on Tuesday were the climate change responsive integrated river basin management development master plans for the Mindanao River and the Ambal-Simuay River in Maguindanao.

The REDPB, chaired by ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman and comprised of representatives from line agencies under his office, from the region’s five provincial governments and its eight congressional district offices, also tackled flood control efforts for the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

Channels of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, which springs from hinterland watersheds of Bukidnon and North Cotabato provinces, straddles through towns in Maguindanao that are located along the perennially-flooded 220,000-hectare Liguasan Delta.

The vast delta, a catch basin for more than a dozen rivers, swells easily during rainy days, causing the inundation of towns nearby.

Records from state auditors showed that the ARMM government had built more than a thousand kilometers of roads and rehabilitated dozens of abandoned arterial networks in the past six years as part of an infrastructure campaign meant to help restore normalcy and foster economic stability in calamity and conflict-stricken areas covered by the Mindanao peace process.

Adil-Ampatuan, a civil engineer, said the ARMM administration acknowledges the need for massive flood mitigation initiatives to ensure the productivity of Muslim and Christian farming communities in central Mindanao.

Production of rice and corn in flood-prone areas are periodically stymied by floods that sweep through farms of Moro peasant families whenever the Liguasan Delta and large rivers along their enclaves overflow due to torrential rains.

Malacañang and the ARMM government are both spending large amounts of state funds for food and rehabilitation of residents in oft-flooded areas due to the frequent inundation of their villages.

Besides their deliberation on serious flood control concerns, REDPB members also approved during Tuesday’s meeting in Cotabato City the proposed Bangon Marawi Comprehensive, Rehabilitation, and Recovery Program for 2018 to 2022.

Marawi City is the capital of Lanao del Sur, also a component city of ARMM, which also covers Maguindanao and the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The Mindanao process aims to address underdevelopment caused by decades of secessionist strife in southern provinces by putting a negotiated closure to the now 50-year Moro issue.

Hataman, now in his second term as ARMM regional governor, has been vocal about his readiness to facilitate a transition from the present regional autonomous government to a Bangsamoro entity that Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are trying to establish via the Bangsamoro Basic Law now being deliberated on by Congress.

The bill, crafted jointly by representatives from the government and the MILF, is the enabling measure for ARMM’s replacement with a more empowered Bangsamoro entity.

It was premised on two compacts --- the 2013 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and, subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro --- reached after 18 years of tedious negotiations repeatedly punctuated with hostilities in the country’s south.

Adil-Ampatuan said REDPB members also talked about proposed irrigation projects in Lanao del Sur, also a recipient of costly infrastructure projects bankrolled by the executive department of ARMM.

Hataman said the REDPB will endorse its approved resolutions to the Department of Budget and Management, the ARMM’s 24-seat Regional Assembly and national agencies for appropriate action.

Hataman said their infrastructure thrusts since 2012 are focused on providing marginalized sectors socio-economic empowerment, one of the main goals of the southern peace process.

FAO, Belgium help restore food security, agri livelihoods in conflict-affected communities in ARMM

(FAO) (FAO)

MARAWI CITY -- Communities in Marawi City and outlying municipalities in the Provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao have started on the road to recovery following the destruction left by the Marawi crisis that lasted from May to October 2017.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on rural livelihoods and industries, as well as the food supply and agribusiness value chain on which smallholders depend for their daily subsistence.

While humanitarian relief continues, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with support from the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, has been delivering assistance to help returning and displaced farmers to re-establish their livelihoods and food security.

With a USD500 000 (Php25 million) contribution from the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium through the FAO-SFERA (Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities), FAO is distributing rice, corn and vegetable seeds, fertilizer, farming tools and broiler chicken production packages to 4949 farming families in Marawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Families in evacuation centers and those staying with their relatives and host communities, including agrarian reform beneficiaries, are among those who received essential agricultural inputs to help augment their short-term food and income requirements.

Belgium Ambassador to the Philippines, Michel Goffin, together with FAO Representative in the Philippines, José Luis Fernandez, met with government, non-government organizations and communities in Marawi and Iligan cities during a visit on 19-20 March.

“The Government of Belgium and its people hope that our contribution will help ensure that those affected by the Marawi crisis are able to recover as quickly as possible,” Ambassador Goffin said.

FAO has been closely working with the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), Department of Agriculture and Fisheries–Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF/ARMM), Department of Agriculture (DA), Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Provincial Governments of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and the City Government of Marawi in restoring agriculture-based livelihoods in Marawi and surrounding areas.

“We acknowledge that recovery and rehabilitation take some time, but the concerted efforts of government, non-government organizations, and communities are already making positive impacts to the people affected by the crisis. We must continue working together to sustain the gains we have achieved so far,” Fernandez said.

“FAO’s emergency and recovery response to the Marawi crisis focuses on rehabilitating the agriculture and fisheries sector, restoring the food supply chain in affected communities, and helping farmers reclaim their lost livelihoods so that they can begin rebuilding their lives.”

Working closely with various partners and stakeholders, FAO has also mapped out a short- to medium-term strategic response plan to restore the food supply and agribusiness value chain in Marawi and other affected municipalities and enable them to be better linked to regional markets.

ARMM police draw up Holy Week security plan

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY--Police and military authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have been placed on alert as Roman Catholics and other Christian faiths prepare to observe the Holy Week.

Police Regional Office (PRO) - ARMM director, Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, has placed all police units across the Muslim-dominated region to be on alert since Monday.

Security plans have been implemented in ARMM communities where there are Christian religious activities. The ARMM is comprised of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

Mijares said their primary focus is Maguindanao, which has the largest number of Christian residents. He also lauded provincial and municipal peace and order councils in the region for cooperating with law enforcers to ensure the safe observance of Holy Week in their respective areas.

In the Soccsksargen region, which covers the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani; and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos, police have been placed on alert status since March 20.

Chief Insp. Aldrin Gonzales, the spokesperson of PRO 12 (Soccsksargen), said that undercover personnel have been fielded in markets, terminals, and other busy spots in cities and provinces in Central Mindanao as part of the tightened security.

Plainclothes police personnel were also deployed in religious sites to ensure that the observance of the Holy Week is peaceful and solemn, including public places like plazas and public markets, Gonazales said.

Mindanao has been under martial law since May last year and the police in the island-region are closely watching areas, where elements of the Islamic State-linked Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines were previously sighted.

1,411 summer jobs available for OSYs, students in ARMM

By S. Duerme and L. Bolongon

COTABATO CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) -- Some 1,411 jobs are available for students and out-of-school youth across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao courtesy of the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOLE-ARMM Secretary Muslimin Jakilan said the program is open to all qualified high school, college or vocational course students and out-of-school youth living in areas covered by Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) program.

“We prioritize those students who most need summer jobs,” Jakilan stated.

The job offerings, he added, is part of the DOLE’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), a flagship program designed to provide income opportunities to out-of-school youth and students from underprivileged families.

“We want to help the students and out-of-school youth to earn money that they can use to pay for next school year,” Jakilan further said.

Registration of employment applicants has already started and will end in the last week of March. Students will work for a period of 25 days.

Student applicants should bring birth certificate, barangay clearance, certification by the school registrar or Form 138 or original class card, certificate of good moral character, and parent’s income tax return, which shows an annual income not exceeding P85,000.

For an out-of-school youth applicant, a certificate of good moral character issued by his/her barangay will be required.

Applicants may visit DOLE-ARMM’s regional office at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City or labor department offices in their respective provinces.

In 2018, DOLE-ARMM has earmarked P3.8 million for the program. Under the SPES, the Labor department shoulders 40 percent of the salary of the beneficiaries, while the employers – government agencies, such as local government units, and private companies as well as other sponsor institutions – pay the 60%.

Pakaradjaan Basilan bats for peace, economic dev’t

By Rene V. Carbayas (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan with reports from Nilda Delos Reyes)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) -- The two-week-long Pakaradjaan (festivity) Basilan, in observance of its 44th Founding Anniversary was seen as the most successful and peaceful celebration in the experience of the entire province.

This was observed by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman during his anniversary message on March 7. He was impressed at how the province organized and conducted various activities and kept everything peacefully implemented.

The celebration started on Feb 26 with launching of the Agro-Industrial Trade Fair at Basilan National High School Grandstand that showcased different booths from cities, municipalities, some government agencies and other organizations in the province.

The 44th Founding Anniversary of Pakaradjaan Basilan adapted the theme “Sowing Seeds of Peace: Celebrating Life, Culture and Prosperity,” which mirrors the current provincial government’s collective efforts of laying the foundation of Basilan’s sustainable future.

Pakaradjaan is a Yakan term which literally means celebration. It is one way of telling people that the situation in Basilan is getting better especially when we talk about peace.

At the opening program, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman recognized the support of the Ulama Supreme Council in the status of peace and security in the province.

“Para sa kaalaman po ng lahat maliban sa military at PNP, isa po sa malaking tulong ang Ulama Council headed by Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, isa po sya sa tumulong sa atin kung ano yung level na meron tayo ngayon sa peace and security,” he said.

The Governor also mentioned that the primary problem in Basilan that he encountered in his administration is the issue of peace and security and the infestation of cocolisap. However, he hopes that the province can recover due to various interventions made to ensure food security especially in aquatic resources.

To promote Basilan and its positive image, he called for unity to spur development in the province by fighting terrorism and promote a peaceful heart. He asked the Ulamas to convert the hearts of the Basileños.

“Ang hinihingi ko sana, bawat mamamayan mag-participate dahil hindi po natin mararating kung ano yung pinaka essence ng theme natin, kung ano yung essence ng Pakaradjaan hanggat hindi natin nare-realize yung sinasabi ko na ideally may mga investment na dito sa atin at ang development walang boundary kundi continuing po yan,” he said.

Moreover, the Governor stressed that Pakaradjaan in Basilan is one way in promoting positive image of Basilan and that the peace and progress in the province will only be attained if there is cooperation between the government leaders, workers and its constituents.

“Sa inyong lahat, sa mga empleyado ng provincial government, ng local government ng Basilan, sa mga mamayan ng Basilan, i-erase po natin yung takot natin, lakbayin natin kung ano ang gustong tunguhin ng ating probinsya at hindi yung gustong tunguhin ng iba na kailangan every now and then may mamatay sa baril. Hindi po tayo nakakapagligtas. Kaya po natin i-attain na walang mamatay kung hindi hahawakan at papuputukin yung baril,” he said.

“Ang Basilan po ay mayaman at ang Basilan ay may pupuntahan. Kailangan lang po magtulungan tayo, mangingialam yung pamantayan natin, yung puso natin dapat malinis po, yan po yung pinaka perfect weapon kung paano maayos ang ating probinsya,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, DOST ARMM Secretary Myra Mangkabung encouraged Basileños to think BIG - Business is Good.

Since Basilan is known as one of the provinces rich with bountiful resources, both agricultural and marine resources, DOST Secretary wanted that the people must promote the image of their locality through business.

“Aim high and think BIG! no matter what. In economic concept, ito po yung nagpo-propel ng domain sa ating probinsya, sa ating region. Without economic development lahat po tayo eh nag pu-pull back,” she said.

With her almost one-hour keynote message, Secretary Mangkabung emphasized what they can do to help and contribute in the development and redefining Basilan by engaging themselves in business and become entrepreneurs.

“I am advocating, I am actually shaking up all of us here to look into the future, kung ano po ang pwede nating gawin. Hindi po mangyayari ang development kung kay governor at kay regional governor lang, kung wala po ang tao, there could be no development in Basilan,” she concluded.

ARMM holds Bangsamoro women’s economic, dev't summit

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Women frontrunners in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) kicked off here Wednesday a two-day summit aimed at empowering women assuming various roles for the development of the region.

Dubbed as the 2nd ARMM Bangsamoro Women’s Economic and Development Summit, the gathering has for its theme “Meaningful Change for Economic and Political Participation for Bangsamoro Women”, seeking to strengthen the capacity of women as leaders for a more progressive autonomous region.

The ARMM’s Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women spearheaded the summit, in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In his video keynote message, OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza stressed the important roles women play in peace-building in communities, citing that “women are the best instruments in helping society, especially in dealing with peace and security in the area”, adding that “they play an important, efficient, and productive role (in promoting) peace, not only in the family but also in the community”.

For her part, Comelec Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, as one of the resource speakers, emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in the political arena, saying, “When women don’t participate in the government, they will never have a fair share of resources on finance, education, health and livelihood.”

Guanzon also said people should get rid of the stereotypes that Bangsamoro women cannot lead.

“We should educate our people, especially our youth, that girls can lead as well as boys,” she said.

In a message sent by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman through ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, the former emphasized the importance of supporting women’s rights and of being open to changes that everyone should work side-by-side with women on equal footing for the betterment of the region.

“Bear in mind that we should always support our own women and their rights,” the governor said.

The conduct of the summit at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex here, which has drawn more than 500 women leaders from across the region, is in line with the celebration of National Women’s Month and also falls within the regional celebration of this year’s Bangsamoro Week of Peace.

ARMM opens more than 1,400 summer jobs for studes, OSYs

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOLE-ARMM) has opened 1,411 summer jobs for students and out-of-school youths (OSYs) across the region.

DOLE-ARMM Secretary Muslimin Jakilan said the program is open to all qualified high school, college or vocational course students, and OSYs living in areas covered by Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) program, a development convergence initiative of the regional government covering 553 recipient barangays.

“We prioritize those students who most need summer jobs,” Jakilan said, adding that the drive is part of DOLE’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), a flagship program designed to provide income opportunities to OSYs and students from underprivileged families during summer or Christmas breaks.

He said DOLE-ARMM has earmarked PHP3.8 million for the program.

Under the SPES, the labor department shoulders 40 percent of the salaries of beneficiaries, while the employers – government agencies, such as local government units, and private companies as well as other sponsor institutions – pay the remaining 60 percent.

“We want to help the students and OSYs earn money, which they can use to pay for next school year,” Jakilan said.

Registration for employment of applicants has begun and will end in the last week of March. Students will work for a period of 25 days.

A student applicant is required to submit the following: birth certificate; barangay clearance; certification by the school registrar, or Form 138, or original class card; certificate of good moral character; and parents’ income tax return, which shows an annual income not exceeding PHP85,000.

For an OSY applicant, a certificate of good moral character issued by his/her barangay will be required. Applicants may inquire for more information on the program at the DOLE-ARMM’s regional office at the ARMM compound in this city or labor department offices in their respective provinces.

P100-M sports complex to rise in Maguindanao

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

BULUAN, Maruindanao -- This province will soon host big sports events to include international athletic competitions.

This, as Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Tuesday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a PHP100-million sports complex that will enable this town to host big sports events in the future.

Both Hataman and Mangudadatu expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for allocating the needed funds as promised during his visit here in December 2017.

“Our dream of hosting bigger athletic and other sports competitions will soon come into reality, thanks to President Duterte’s support,” Mangudadatu said during the laying down of a time capsule.

He said that Maguindanao also wished to host the Palarong Pambansa and any international sports events like the negihboring provinces of South Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

“Lack of facilities disqualifies us,” he said in Filipino.

“With this project, I hope to see our national athletes here before I step down from office,” said Mangudadatu, who will bow out of office as governor in 2019.

Hataman said the project, once completed, would become the region’s first state of the art sports complex that can house more than 20,000 athletes at a given period.

The sports complex will sit in a reclaimed marshland near the provincial capitol.

It will also house a boxing training center to be funded by Filipino boxing icon, Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao.

Mangudadatu also announced that another PHP100 million has been allocated for flood control project for the low-lying areas of this province.

Billions worth of agricultural crops are being destroyed during rainy season or during inclement weather that inundates the low-lying areas in this province.

Bustling with infrastructure buildings, Buluan is hosting the provincial capitol buildings, the bigger provincial jail and the soon to be completed PHP200-million business processing and outsourcing (BPO) center building launched early this month.

Hotels and other amenities will also be established as commercial district will also rise in the next 12 months here, making this sleepy town into a bustling commercial center of ARMM.

Cleansing of social pension list in ARMM underway

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The cleansing campaign against irregularities in the release of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) funds in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been gaining headway, the region’s social welfare secretary announced Saturday.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary and concurrent Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) secretary, said more than a hundred individuals from across the region have voluntarily surrendered their 4Ps identification cards.

“Fake cardholders have voluntarily turned in their cards following our massive campaign to put an end to irregularities in the conditional cash transfer program for indigent families in ARMM,” Alamia told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

She noted that village officials, teachers, civilians, and spouses of soldiers and policemen were among those who surrendered their IDs.

Alamia led the campaign to cleanse the list of the anti-poverty program’s beneficiaries since she assumed office as DSWD regional secretary.

She said charges are being readied against those involved in the irregularities who take a “cut” from cash grants intended for indigents in ARMM’s provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

A “cut” refers to the amount taken by those who have influence and control over the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of indigents.

Meanwhile, Alamia said the reported corruption in the senior citizens’ benefits in ARMM is also being investigated, aside from the irregularities concerning the 4Ps payouts.

“DSWD-ARMM wishes to address the issue concerning the alleged irregularities in the disbursement of senior citizens’ benefits in the region,” she said.

She added that they are “currently gathering information about this report and it will be handled by our Grievance Redress System, which will allow us to alert concerned social workers in the barangay, municipality, city, and provincial levels”.

Alamia said the local government unit (LGU) Social Welfare Protection assemblies in the five ARMM provinces aims to ensure that the beneficiaries of the social pension get what is intended for them.

She said the “No Fraud” policy is being strictly implemented across all social welfare programs, and for members of the LGU, the security sector, and other partner agencies to show their commitment and support in monitoring fraudulent activities.

The DSWD-ARMM chief noted that since Mindanao is still under Martial Law, all DSWD-ARMM programs are being closely monitored by the military and police as they validate DSWD-ARMM programs’ list of beneficiaries.

Policemen and soldiers will be present during senior citizens’ benefits and 4Ps payouts to address anomalies, and to eventually investigate these incidents, which may lead to possible arrests.

“We are one with the Duterte administration’s intensified anti-corruption campaign,” she said.

Tech-voc courses to lessen job mismatch: TESDA chief

By Ma. Cristina Arayata (PNA)

MANILA – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Guiling Mamondiong said that taking technical-vocational (tech-voc) courses would help address job mismatch and also increase one’s chances of getting a job.

In a statement, Mamondiong noted that these days, one needs to have additional skills and knowledge.

“It’s not enough that you go to school. I encourage the public to take courses from TESDA and learn new skills to increase their chances of landing a job,” he said.

Based on TESDA's recently concluded two-day National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Enrollment and Jobs Bridging nationwide, the top five in-demand tech-voc courses were Driving NC ll, Computer Systems Servicing NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC ll, Cookery NC ll, and Dressmaking NC ll.

The activity, held last February 27-28 at TESDA Compound in Bicutan, Taguig, was also held in different provinces, municipalities, and districts at the capitols, malls, stadiums, and other easily accessible places.

Successful Nat’l TVET Day

Mamondiong said the two-day event was successful, as TESDA recorded 192,652 enrollees in the agency’s tech-voc courses.

TESDA shared that Region 3 had the most number of enrollees with 27,248 registrants, followed by ARMM with 22,324; Region 11 with 18,732; Region 5 with 18,575; Region 6 with 17,812; and Region 4-A with 14,739.

Region 10 had 12,434 enrollees; Region 12 had 10,602; NCR recorded 10,553, while Region 9 had 10,146.

Region 4-B had 9,153; Region 7 had 7,146; Cordillera Administrative Region had 4,029; Caraga had 3,159; Region 8 had 2,589; Region 2 and Region 1 had 2,475 and 938 registrants, respectively.

More than 800 companies participated in the job fair and 80,000 jobs were offered.

TESDA said 2,906 applicants were hired on the spot during the two-day event.

Bright prospects seen for ARMM's tourism: DOT

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora (PNA)

MANILA -- With Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (ARMM) ongoing developments in sea and air connectivity, as well as the rich culture it can offer to international and domestic tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is optimistic of the bright prospects for the southern region's tourism industry.

The DOT said it fully supports the region's tourism program, particularly the “Cradle of Islamic Philippines” in Tawi-Tawi.

DOT Assistant Secretary Eden Josephine David said she shares ARMM’s “vision of showcasing the authentic Filipino” in the backdrop of Muslim Mindanao, and uplift the livelihood of its people.

“With improved accessibility by sea and air connectivity via Zamboanga, we can help develop and turn the area into a major gateway and hub for cruise ships,” she added.

The official, who recently visited Tawi-Tawi, lauded ARMM local tourism department’s efforts under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Vision 2025 and the Joint Tourism Development (JTD) Cluster in the development of the Philippine-EAGA (P-EAGA) Community-Based Eco-Tourism (CBET) Sites.

On behalf of DOT Secretary Wanda Teo, David assured support for Western Mindanao's tourism development projects in line with the DOT’s “Go South, Go Mindanao” campaign.

DOT-ARMM Secretary Ayesha Dilangalen said a tourism plan set to be launched this coming June is geared towards enticing hotel and restaurant operators to provide basic services to domestic tourists.

“We are pushing for community-based and sustainable eco-tourism because we want our locals to be involved, as well as benefit from the visitors’ experience here,” said Dilangalen.

The ARMM official is also vouching for the faith-tourism to flourish, particularly in Simunul Island, where the country’s first mosque was built by Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, a site frequented by pilgrims from nearby provinces and neighboring Malaysia.

Also known as a sacred site is the Bud Bongao, home to holy shrines and tombs of the datus and Sheikh Makhdum’s followers.

The Sama and the Tausug are known to climb to the peak to pray for healing and their children’s good health.

Tawi-Tawi’s emerging tourist destinations include Panampangan Island, which offers white sand beaches, palm and coconut trees and clear blue waters perfect for picnics, water sports adventures on its famous sandbar -- the longest in the country.

2nd Bangsamoro women leaders’ summit slated in Cotabato City

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), through the Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW), set here on March 14 -15 its 2nd ARMM Bangsamoro Women’s Economic and Development Summit.

The event, which has for its theme “Meaningful Change for Economic and Political Participation from Bangsamoro Women,” is expected to attract some 500 women leaders from regional government agencies and local government units as well as from civil society groups and representatives from various communities.

Sittie Jehanne Mutin, chair of the RCBW, said the summit’s main objective is to strengthen the capacity of women leaders in the region in assuming various roles in economic development leading to a more progressive autonomous region.

She said the summit will attempt to answer questions on women’s participation in economic development such as the meaningful participation of women in politics and economy, and the role of women in building a peaceful economy through transitional justice and prevention of violent extremism, among others.

The RCBW noted the summit is anchored on policies of the national and regional government aimed at empowering women.

At the national level, the Magna Carta of women guarantees women’s right to political participation and representation, as well as access to economic opportunities.

The region’s Gender and Development Code, meanwhile, emphasizes equal rights among women and men in the political front and that covers involvement and representation in regional and local institutions.

Currently, the ARMM leadership has given priority to women’s active participation in economic development. For instance, ARMM’s Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for the years 2017 to 2019 provides specific action points on women’s empowerment and participation aimed at building an enabling environment for peace.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and Commissioner Ma. Rowena Guanzon of the Commission on Elections will deliver the summit’s welcome remarks.

On the other hand, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza will give the summit’s keynote address. A series of discussions such as ‘How Women Make a Difference in an Era of Change’; ‘Women and the Bangsamoro Basic Law’; ‘Protecting Bangsamoro Women thru Social Protection Services’; ‘Women as Transformative Leaders’; ‘Halal and Micro-Financing for Bangsamoro Women’; ‘Livelihood Opportunities and Challenges’; and ‘Linking Political Participation to Economic Empowerment’ will be covered by experts during the summit.

In February 2016, the RCBW has also organized a two-day summit among ARMM women leaders aimed at enhancing women’s participation in good governance.

People’s Day benefits 3K Basilan residents

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

MALUSO, Basilan -- Some 3,000 residents, including children, on Sunday benefited from the conduct of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) People’s Day in this municipality.

Myrna Jocelyn Henry, ARMM-Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) information officer, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the beneficiaries came from nine clustered barangays of this town.

Among the services rendered during the ARMM People’s Day were children’s feeding program, medical checkups, circumcision, job fair, bomb awareness, madaris education, and others.

Free eye glasses were also given to identified beneficiaries, including senior citizens.

The People’s Day here is the first to be conducted in this province. On Monday, March 5, the activity will be held in the town of Sumisip.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman told PNA that the People’s Day is a program of his office to bring closer the government to the people.

Hataman said through the program, “all the regional line agencies will be converged to let the people feel and avail the services” of government.

“We hope it will be duplicated by the provincial and municipal governments,” he said citing the regional government, by initiating the People’s Day, will serve as the role model.

Hataman said they have identified 636 barangays as priority areas to be served this year in the entire autonomous region.

Henry said the 636 barangays will be clustered into 64 areas to be able to serve the identified beneficiaries.

Basilan town receives P7.4-M projects from ARMM

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

MALUSO, Basilan -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has turned over PHP7.4 million infrastructure and livelihood projects in this municipality.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman led the inauguration and turnover of the projects on Sunday at the sidelines of the ARMM People’s Day in this municipality.

The ARMM People’s Day is a monthly activity that serves as an opportunity for the regional line agencies and offices to offer and render their frontline services to the people of the region. The services included children's feeding program, medical check-up, circumcision, jobs fair, and others.

The projects that were turned over included PHP5.4 million barangay hall and multi-purpose building in Tubigan and PHP2 million livelihood projects to the fisherfolks cooperative in Barangay Lower Port Holland.

The projects were part of the ARMM’s flagship program--Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance Synergy (ARMM-HELPS).

Aurellano Laping, Tubigan barangay chairperson, Mayor Hanie Bud and other officials joined Hataman in the inauguration of the projects.

Hataman said that the ARMM is now focused on delivering socio-economic and infrastructure projects to the different provinces and towns all over the region.

Laping said they had been staying for years in Barangay Tubigan and they never thought there will be projects for the betterment of the residents.

“The residents are very happy since they now have a place where to gather together,” Laping added.

“We are glad about the bulk of projects given to the people of Maluso,” Bud said.

He added the projects will be of great help in uplifting the lives of his constituents and will promote peaceful and safe environment.

He said the PHP2 million worth of motorboat and fishing supplies will boost the livelihood of the fisher folks cooperative of Barangay Lower Port Holland.

Bud said he was also thankful that President Rodrigo R. Duterte heeded to their request that the town’s municipal waters be made exclusive to local fisher folks.

Hataman vowed that his administration will intensify efforts to protect them.

Hataman recalled that “historically, Maluso was a fishing port.”

“All of the fish brought to Zamboanga City and Isabela City come from Maluso,” he added.

Meanwhile, Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS director, said Barangay Tubigan will also receive birthing facilities, armchairs for schools, and cattle for farmers this year.

Upahm said that Barangay Lower Port Holland had earlier received a barangay hall and a youth and women center.

He said that ARMM-HELPS has served a total of 85 barangays since 2014 in this province.

He said that eight of the 85 barangays are in this town and these are Batungal, Tamuk, Taberlongan, Upper Port Holland, Tubigan, Abong-Abong, Fuente Maluso, and Lower Port Holland.

The ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative of the regional government and is regarded as the centerpiece of the Hataman administration, which has been pursuing programs through the regional line agencies.

The ARMM-HELPS projects include barangay health stations, flea markets, and water systems.

It also supports cooperatives and provides medicines and birthing supplies and equipment for its health component.

BPO catering to Arab nations to rise in Maguindanao

By Noel Punzalan and Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

BULUAN, Maguindanao -- A Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center is rising in this Maguindanao town to serve Arab clients, the first in the region and the country.

“It will be operational later this year or early 2019,” Maguindanao Governor Esmael Toto Mangudadatu told reporters here Friday, noting that the PHP200-million infrastructure will house a call center, commercial center, a hotel and movie houses, all rolled into one.

A PHP100-million loan obtained from Land Bank of the Philippines and an equal amount from the provincial government would fund the project. Buluan is the capital of Maguindanao and home of the Mangudadatu political clan.

On Friday, Mangudadatu and LBP President Alex Buenaventura led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project here.

“Maguindanao and this town will become the call center hub of ARMM and the country exclusively to serve Arab nations,” he said, adding that the call center will be manned by Islamic scholars or Ustadzes and workforce with expertise in Arabic.

The ambitious project, to be manned by a women’s cooperative, is expected to generate work for more than 1,200 people, prioritizing graduate scholars of Maguindanao’s provincial government.

“We would like to help the province improve to be at par with other regions,” Buenaventura said.

Starbooks turned over to schools, LGUs in Maguindanao

By Noel Punzalan (PR/PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) turned over Thursday 15 units of Starbooks to schools and local government units (LGUs) in Maguindanao.

The Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (Starbooks) is a stand alone information kiosk that contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio) placed in specially designed “pods” and set in a user-friendly interface.

The kiosk features topics on food and nutrition, health and medicine, energy, environment, and livelihood technologies, among others.

The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) funded the Starbooks Project for Maguindanao.

Hongyi Xie, WFP’s Programme head, said the organization’s mandate is to achieve zero hunger in every community worldwide. He also said natural and man-made disasters are the key factors, which cause hunger.

“We think one of the best weapons (to end hunger) is to share knowledge about these factors to the local individuals,” he said, explaining why WFP teamed-up with DOST-ARMM for the project’s implementation.

The Starbooks recipients consist of selected national secondary schools and LGUs from Maguindanao that included the Pandan National High School, Pilar Integrated Technical Vocational High School, South Upi National High School, Datu Alamanza Dilangalen, Dinganen Buldon National High School, Kabuntalan National High School, Karim National High School, Gayong National High School, Gallego Edcor National High School, Lumao National High School, Looy Integrated Technology Vocational High School, LGU of Buldon, LGU of South Upi, LGU of Northern Kabuntalan; and LGU of Kabuntalan.

Eprelin Campong, school principal of Pilar Integrated Technical Vocational High School, said the Starbooks are a great help for the education of their students.

“We have no library and we lack books. So this (Starbooks) project is a great help to us,” she said.

To date, the DOST-ARMM has turned over 51 units of Starbooks in the entire ARMM comprising the cities of Marawi and Lamitan and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Basilan and Lanao del Sur.

Marawi benefits from P115-M infra-projects

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman led Thursday the groundbreaking of two infrastructure projects in Marawi City worth PHP115 million.

The two Marawi projects involved the PHP90-million integrated market, food and transport terminal in Barangay Buadi Sacayo and the PHP25-million rehabilitation of the city hall and city health center.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra joined the governor in the groundbreaking ceremony. The undertaking is a joint venture of the ARMM Government and city government of Marawi.

Hataman said the projects are part of the regional government's rehabilitation efforts for Marawi.

On same day, Hataman also led the conduct of a People’s Day in the town of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

Various line agencies, spearheaded by the ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team, provided free services to more than 800 beneficiaries from Malabang and nearby municipalities.

The services included free dental and medical check-up, free legal counseling, free haircut, supplemental feeding, Social Pension Payout for Senior Citizens for some areas of Lanao Sur B, distribution of gill nets, plastic sealers, noodle machines, and seedlings.

The event coincided with the celebration of the 45th anniversary of 6th Infantry (Redskin) Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division who pitched doctors to the activity.

On Tuesday, the governor also led the forging of a Memorandum of Agreement with Local Government Units (LGUs) in Maguindanao on the implementation of the region’s 2018 regular infra-projects in the province worth PHP1.4-billion.

Hataman witnessed the signing ceremony between DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha Loong and mayors of 16 municipalities of Maguindanao held at the ARMM compound here.

Out of the total budget, Maguindanao Engineering District 1 has an allocation of PhP380.2-million while Maguindanao Engineering District 2 has PhP1, 022.57-M.

The 16 LGU-beneficiaries are the towns of Parang, Buldon, Upi, Barira, Matanog, Pagalungan, Mamasapano, Datu Paglas, Rajah Buayan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Shariff Aguak, Pandag, Ampatuan, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Talayan, and Buluan.

The municipalities are recent recipients of the SGLG (Seal of Good Local Governance) Award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which is one of the qualifications for infra-projects entrustment.

Loong said local governments play an important role in the successful implementation of infra-projects, especially those that are experienced, equipped, with capacity to implement multimillion-peso projects, and are SGLG awardees.

He said the projects would commence as soon as pertinent documents are finalized and submitted.

Hataman urged the LGUs and the two district engineering offices of Maguindanao to ensure the efficient implementation of the projects.

Basilan farmers to produce calamansi juice

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Calamansi farmers in one of the towns of Basilan province will start the production of juice in April, this year.

This, as the construction of the calamansi processing plant in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan town is set to be completed this month.

Secretary Myra Mangkabung of the Department of Science and Technology in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) said they have released PHP3 million for the construction of the processing plant in Tairan.

Mangkabung said the PHP3 million allocation includes the purchase of the needed equipment and tools in the production of juice as well as for the farmers’ capacity building.

Mangkabung told the Philippine News Agency that so far the farmers in Tairan have an existing four hectares farm planted to calamansi.

“They are expanding the farm to six hectares and that’s more than enough to sustain continuous production of calamansi juice,” she said.

She said DOST-ARMM would also assist the farmers in marketing the calamansi juice products.

She said the production of the calamansi juice would boost the income of the farmers in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan.

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