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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News October 2017

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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
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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.

Cotabato City police ready with ‘Undas’ security plan

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The City police office has put in place a security plan aimed at having zero crime incidence during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day by Catholics in this part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Senior Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police director, said that with “Undas 2017,” they want to ensure the safety of the public visiting the graveyards of their love ones on November 1 and 2.

Octavio said all chiefs of police in the four stations here have been implementing the security plan a week before the actual events.

“The security plan is over and above the existing security program to thwart terrorism and illegal drugs,” the city police director.

“Security must be tight to ensure nobody is harmed or robbed while in the cemeteries,” Octavio added.

He said for the convenience of the public, they have put up Police Assistance Desks in the city’s public cemetery, Chinese and other private cemeteries and memorial parks.

Octavio said carrying of guns even though licensed within the vicinity of cemeteries is strictly prohibited. Likewise, bringing intoxicating drinks like beer and wines, bladed weapons and similar items are also forbidden.

Martial law in Mindanao has not yet lifted, and thus carrying of guns by civilians is still not allowed.

Police also issued the following reminders to the public:

• Make sure their homes are properly locked to avoid “akyat bahay” or robbers out to take advantage of empty houses.
• Unplug electrical appliances to avoid short circuit that may result in fire.
• Let at least one member of the household to stay behind to make sure the house is safe from criminal elements.

Military assures security for ARMM infra projects

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has directed soldiers to guard all multi-million infrastructure projects of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that are vulnerable to sabotage by Moro militants using poverty and underdevelopment to ignite hatred of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief said on Saturday said that the move aimed at ensuring completion of on-going projects in remote areas in the ARMM.

“These projects will improve the lives of people, generate livelihood, give children easy access to schools and make convenient the delivery of health, education, social welfare and other basic services to them. That is what militants do not want to happen,” Galvez said.

The Maute terror group and its allies, the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), have been opposed to infrastructure projects especially in the remote areas.

ARMM residents said these projects could weaken the influence of these militants especially in the farming communities from where they forcibly collect money for food and other needs.

The militants belonging to the remnants of Maute terrorist group, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the BIFF are now using the black Islamic State flag as their banners.

Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, Police Regional Office-ARMM director, said that law enforcement in many far-flung areas is a lot easier now with the new roads and bridges built in the past four years by incumbent ARRM officials.

“Securing on-going infrastructure projects of the ARMM government is a serious concern for us,” Mijares said.

Drone recordings and a matrix obtained from the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM (DPWH-ARMM) showed that in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur alone, the DPWH-ARMM has constructed 24 bridges from 2014 to late 2016.

The 24 bridges, costing P686.1-million, now connects once isolated rural communities to town centers where farmers sell their farm produce that in the past rotted in their barns during rainy days in the absence of all-weather road networks.

The office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman and the DPWH-ARMM built the bridges through the district engineering offices in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, using allocations from the region’s annual infrastructure budget.

Commission on Audit records showed that ARMM spent P211.5-million for the 16 bridges built in Lanao del Sur in the past three years. Eight larger bridges costing P474.5-million were also built in Maguindanao during the same period.

Galvez said officials of component-units of WestMinCom based in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur where the 24 bridges were constructed have noticed dramatic improvements in the lives of local residents.

“That is something violent religious extremists are trying to prevent from happening,” Galvez said.

Soldiers of WestMinCom and the ARMM police tightened security last week in areas where workers are constructing strategic stretches of the P1 billion worth “transcentral road” in Basilan because of threats of attacks by the Abu Sayyaf.

The more than 60-kilometer thoroughfare will traverse the remaining enclaves in Sampinit and Punoh Mahadje areas in Basilan where there are still remnants of the Abu Sayyaf.

ARMM extends aid to Maguindanao flood victims

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- As most of 130 villages in 16 towns in Maguindanao are still submerged i n floods, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) humanitarian arm statted relief distribution to thousands of affected families.

Hasan Salilama Pendulong, a fresh water fisherman in Barangay Pagatin, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, said the flood that hit their community for the past four months now not only affect his abode but his livelihood too.

Pendulong is a fisherman harvesting “halu-an” (mudfish) as his main source of livelihood.

“It’s gone for four months now,” he said in the vernacular of his regular harvest. “Mudfish go somewhere else when water level rises, I have no more area to fish,” he added.

Pendulong said during dry season, his harvest could earn him an average of Php1, 000 a day but with mudfish gone, he had to find other source of livelihood, including driving a “sikad-sikad” (pedicab) borrowed from a relative.

On Wednesday, the ARMM’S Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) started distributing relief assistance to families affected by floods in Maguindanao.

Myrna Jocelyn Henry, speaking for ARMM-HEART, said food packs have been prepared and distributed to affected Maguindanaons.

Floods, triggered by heavy rains the past several days, have submerged 16 of 36 towns in Maguindanao, affecting, 35,273 families or about 211,000 residents in 130 villages

Some of these towns are under water for more than a month due to recurring rains spawned by low-pressure area and inter-tropical convergence zone affecting eastern and southern Mindanao.

Henry said relief operations had been conducted since Wednesday and still on going. She said the local government units of flooded villages were expected, as first responders, to have extended initial assistance to flood victims.

Henry said the affected towns with corresponding villages and number of families affected are Mangudadatu (8 barangays – 3,417 families); Shariff Saydona (5 barangays – 1,812 families); Sultan sa Barongis (5 barangays – 1,612 families); Sultan Kudarat (16 barangays – 4,980 families); Ampatuan (3 barangays – 646 families); Sultan Mastura (6 barangays – 1,014 families); Northern Kabuntalan (10 barangays – 3,112 families); and Mother Kabuntalan (17 barangays – 3,868 families). Also inundated were Rajah Buayan (10 barangays – 1,912 families); Buluan (5 barangays – 973 families); Mamasapano (13 barangays – 4,523 families); Datu Salibo (17 barangays – 3, 281 families); Datu Paglat (3 barangays – 1, 702 families); Datu Paglas (1 barangay – 189 families); Datu Piang (3 barangays – 300 families); and Pandag (8 barangays – 1,932 families).

Henry said although recurring floods have affected their daily activities, most families preferred to stay home. Some have moved to neighbors or relatives’ homes and only return when floodwaters receded.

Alibai Kusain, a resident of Barangay Katuli, Sultan Kudarat, said they are used to floods.

"We are tired of evacuating, haul our valuables then returned few days later,” she said in Tagalog dialect, adding that she expected help from the local government.

Her husband, Samson, a pump boat operator, said many residents would prefer to stay home than move to higher grounds.

“Our experience tells us that the water will subside after few days anyway,” he said in the vernacular.

In North Cotabato, torrential rains also submerged low-lying towns near the Liguasan marshland every time water level rises. The province has experienced rains for more than two weeks now and water flow directly to the marshland, raising its water level.

The North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) said affected are low-lying villages of the towns of Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Pikit, Kabacan, Matalam, M’lang and Tulunan.

The PDRRMC is yet to determine the total number of families affected by floods. The 220,000-hectare marshland serves as catch basin of river waters from Maguindanao, South Cotabato, Bukidnon and North Cotabato.

DepEd-ARMM continues halal feeding program

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao: The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) continued its feeding program by providing halal foods to Marawi schoolchildren as classes opened recently.

At least four re-opened schools in Marawi City have benefited from the feeding program where schoolchildren are provided with nutritious meals regularly to hasten their recovery from trauma from the five months siege in this capital city of Lanao del Sur, officials said on Friday.

DepEd-ARMM secretary John Amil Magno said the feeding program caters to thousands of school children from Marawi City now grouped in temporary learning sites in nearby towns.

Magno said the project is a joint initiative of the office of DepEd-ARMM, Gawad Kalinga and the World Food Program, a humanitarian agency of the United Nations.

Ana Zenaida Unte, assistant schools superintendent for Marawi City, said pupils in Mipaga, Bito, Rorogagus and Pendolonan Elementary Schools where classes resumed on Monday were initially supplied with halal foods prepared by teachers and volunteers.

At least 800 pupils benefited from the initial feeding activity.

Halal is an Arabic term for permissible. Hence, halal food is one that adheres to Islamic law as defined in the Holy Qur’an that Muslims are allowed to eat.

“We will complement this feeding of children in re-opened Marawi schools with activities to heal them from mental pain and tension caused by the five-month conflict that displaced them for months,” Magno said.

Meanwhile, on Friday hundreds of schoolchildren from conflict-affected barangay (villages) in Marawi City also joined the Global Handwashing Day in Lanao del Sur last week.

“The atmosphere in some schools is now returning to normal. Children are again in school uniforms and classes are back to regular mode,” Magno added.

China assures PH of help to rebuild Marawi

By Pathricia Ann V. Roxas (Reporter,jpv, INQUIRER.net)

China is the Philippines’ friend and partner, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said during the handover ceremony of heavy equipment to Marawi City on Tuesday.

“I am fully confident that under the wise leadership of President (Rodrigo) Duterte, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Marawi City will be a complete success,” Jianhua said in his speech during the handover ceremony of heavy equipment to Marawi City on Tuesday.

“In this important reconstruction process, you will have a friend and partner. And this friend and partner is China,” he added.

The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said the P155-million worth of heavy equipment donated by the Chinese government for rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City had already arrived in Iligan City.

“China was among the first countries to offer its assistance in rehabilitating Marawi City, a gesture that further cements our strong bilateral relations and reflects the warm friendship between our two countries,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement.

Jianhua said he was also glad that China was among the first countries to extend help in the Marawi rehabilitation.

“There is a Chinese saying, that is, when you want to do something good, then do it timely. These equipment arrived just at the time when the reconstruction of Marawi City is about to begin. The donation is timely and they are going to put to use immediately,” he said.

The ambassador also lauded the government’s “quick planning” on the recovery of the southern island city.

“I have noticed that the Philippine government has been quick in planning the rebuilding and recovery of Marawi City,” Jianhua said.

“A new Marawi City of this kind rises from ashes and ruins will surely have great and positive impact on the future of Mindanao,” he added.

Marawi City was earlier declared free from Islamic State-linked Maute terrorists after the siege that devastated it since May 23 finally ended.

A national ‘Brigada’ for Marawi’s schools

(Tempo Online)

BRIGADA Eskwela is the annual program of the Department of Education (DepEd) to prepare the nation’s schools for the opening of the school year in June. Built around the concept of shared community responsibility, it prepares the nation’s schoolrooms, facilities, and grounds, with the help of the people of the community, including business and civic groups. They join in a week of actual physical work, repairing windows, painting walls, making every effort to make the surroundings conducive to learning by the community’s children.

In Marawi this month and the next, the Brigada Eskwela concept will be put to use but on an unprecedented scale.

Marawi may be part of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which has its own regional secretary of education, but in the wake of the massive destruction it suffered in the last five months, the national Department of Education will be leading a program of repair and restoration for all that was destroyed in Marawi’s schools during the fighting between government forces and the Maute group.

The DepEd recovery plan – “Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi” – will focus on the physical repair of the battered school buildings. Donor institutions are welcome to “adopt” a damaged school.

“We are inviting the whole country,” Secretary Leonor Briones said. “It will be a national Brigada and all are invited to participate.” She said it needs donations of construction materials such as cement, lumber, paint, galvanized iron, and tools. And it needs volunteers to help do the work as in the usual Brigada Eskwela projects but on a much larger scale.

Aside from the damage to the schools, there is danger of improvised explosive devices that may have been left by the rebels and their Islamic State cohorts in the buildings where they made their last stand. The danger posed by these “booby traps” had held back the advancing troops and they continue to pose a danger to all of those now involved in cleaning up in Marawi.

As it assesses the physical damage to the schools, Secretary Briones said, the DepEd is also considering other immediate needs, such as psycho-social debriefing for teachers and students. A first batch of teachers attended a Psychological First Aid session held in Cagayan de Oro City, with funds committed by President Duterte.

The rehabilitation of Marawi is now underway on so many fronts, and the restoration of the school system is of utmost importance. Thousands of students were able to shift to other schools in Region 10, and in other regions of the country. But the people of Marawi are now returning to their homes and when their children return to their schools, these should be safe from all possible danger and fully restored as part of the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

DOST names sci-tech experts

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) cited several individuals and institutions as Science and Technology (S&T) ambassadors for their contributions to the region.

Assemblywoman Irene Tillah of Sulu (2nd district), assistant majority floor leader of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA), was recognized as S&T Ambassador on Policy for her efforts in promoting DOST’s programs in her district.

Tillah has extended full support to DOST projects such as RxBox, a telemedicine device, and Starbooks, the first Philippine science digital library.

As chair of the Committee on Women, Youth and Family Relations in the RLA, Tillah also supported the establishment of Philippine Standard Time in Sulu, a DOST project to synchronize time in the ARMM and the rest of the country.

Aside from Tillah, DOST-ARMM also awarded Modrika Masukat, Maguindanao municipal agriculture officer, as technology adopter ambassador and Rosemarie DR Josue and Rowena Caro-Benavides, both from Mindanao State University in Maguindanao, as ambassadors on research and development.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi and the city of Lamitan in Basilan were recognized as supportive local government unit ambassadors.

The department also recognized youth ambassadors Arman Ali Ghodsinia and Jai Aliyah MD Salliman. Also awarded ambassador as a DOST scholar was Ahalnida Majid Tambihasan.

The S&T week aims to bring science and technology closer to the people by letting them experience the vital role of science, technology, and innovation in improving the quality of life, protecting the environment and contributing to national development, particularly in poverty alleviation.

With this year’s theme “Science for People,” the celebration highlighted the significant contributions of science and technology in the lives of the Filipinos towards holistic countryside development.

Lamitan CITY eyes to win 2017 Galing Pook Award

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: Local government officials and residents have expressed optimism over the inclusion of Lamitan City among the 20 finalists for the 2017 Galing Pook Award meant to hasten more the growth of its fledgling economy. About 200 local government units participated in this year’s Galing Pook Award search with outstanding initiatives by the Galing Pook Foundation. Mayor Rose Furigay said Lamitan City was included among the top 20 finalists for this year’s search of local government units (LGUs) with outstanding initiatives.

Lamitan started as component municipality of Basilan and became a chartered city in 2007. Rima Hassan, president of Lamitan Chamber of Commerce, said the improvements in the local business climate were ushered in by the massive implementation of infrastructure projects by the ARMM government in their 45 villages in the past five years. Lamitan’s ROSE (Reaching Out, Serving Everyone) program was the highlight in vying for the award. It aims to address poverty and maximize delivery of basic services to the city’s more than 70,000 residents.

Bangsamoro Development Corridor to help spur growth in Marawi

By Reuel John F. Lumawag

THE Bangsamoro Development Corridor (BDC) is seen to help in the rehabilitation and spur the growth in Marawi City in the long term, said Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) chairman Secretary Datu Hadji Abul Khayr Alonto.

The BDC is a new addition to the Mindanao Development Corridor, a spatial strategy that ensures that development is not limited to the growth centers but is spread out to developing areas. The initiative seeks to provide interventions responsive to the context and aspirations of the Bangsamoro.

"While the reconstruction of Marawi is urgent in the immediate term, its long term development cannot be stand-alone initiative. We have to look at the bigger picture and plan for the development of the bigger Corridor -- Bangsamoro Development Corridor," said Alonto, who was a speaker on a plenary session on Mindanao Opportunities Focusing on Marawi Reconstruction during the Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel on October 19, 2017.

He said one of the objectives of the BDC is to reconnect Marawi and Lanao del Sur to the major gateways and markets in Mindanao.

"We need to people to feel the development that we envision for them and that will only be possible if we are able to provide efficient infrastructure facilities that will support and sustain the economic activities in these areas," Alonto said.

Meanwhile, he urged the private sector to work hand in hand with the government in the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

"The business sector will continue to play a crucial role in rebuilding Marawi, particularly spurring economic activities in the area. You can always go back to the corridors program as the refercence point for our possible collaboration," Alonto said.

ARMM hosts forum on records handling, archiving

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- In celebration of 2nd Archives Day in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), officials here hosted a one-day forum Thursday to educate employees handling records on how to comply with National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) circulars and standards.

Abdulhamid C. Alawi Jr., ARMM records chief, said the forum aimed primarily to instill in in the consciousness of ARMM offices and Bangsamoro constituents to know how important to archive records and documents are.

“I hope the forum will provide the necessary skills to employees in keeping official records," Alawi said.

"Archiving allows for reference at a later point in time. If all the offices in the region will archive important documents and records, then it will be easy for the next administration to plan for the next programs in the region."

Giving tips and strategies in keeping correctly government records was Dr. Ronaldo C. Ferariza, National Archival Network (NAN) supervising records management analyst, who shared his expertise in handling government records.

His talk focused on archives administration, security records and records creation, and control. The other speaker, Richel Jane R.Guinto, senior records management analyst, talked about her skills on records disposition administration.

"It is important for the offices to conserve and promote the Filipino cultural heritage and resources including the documentary records of Filipino culture, history, and governance," Ferariza said.

He reiterated that it is necessary to give utmost priority to the protection and preservation of the public documents and records, as it will be essential tools for the preservation of the country’s history and cultural memory.

The National Archives of the Philippines is home to about 60 million documents kept for centuries - from the Spanish rule in the Philippines, the American and Japanese occupations, as well as the years of the Republic. It is also the final repository for the voluminous notarized documents of the country.

Its main responsibility is to preserve the primary sources of information on Philippine history, the basic components of cultural heritage and collective memory.

In his talk, Ferariza cited Republic Act 9470, which states that all public records with enduring value, held by government offices, including, but not limited to, all branches of government, constitutional offices, local government units (LGUs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges, Philippine embassies, consulates and other Philippine offices abroad shall be transferred to a permanent government repository for proper management, control and regulation of record disposition.

In compliance with RA 9470, Ferariza said that each government agency must keep and preserve a logbook in which all official acts, decisions, transactions or contract pertaining to their functions shall be in chronological order.

The following documents must be ready for permanent storage: speeches, press releases, publications, programs, reorganization records, standard operating procedures, issuances, logbooks, manuals, official gazettes, master’s lists of the participants in the seminars or trainings, property cards, resolutions, legal opinions, deeds of donation, decisions, staffing patterns, service cards, reports, personnel actions, plantilla of personnel, handwriting specimens/signature.

Also to be kept are auditor's copy, trial balances and supporting schedules, profits and losses, accounts receivable, registry books of checked released, registered checks warrants, official cash books, list of remittances, sundry payments by checks/warrants, expense ledgers, financial statements, cash flow charts, books of final entry, cooks of original entry, annual statements of accounts payable, and organizational performance indicator framework. "At the end of the day, our objective of coming here in ARMM is to let the employees here know the value of (government) records," Ferariza said.

The forum was held at the ARMM executive building in Cotabato City.

Police vow support to PDEA-ARMM in war vs drugs

By Edwin Fernandez

COTABATO CITY -- The police here have vowed to continue the campaign against illegal drug personalities in support to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) after President Duterte removed lead roles in the drug war from the police.

The PDEA–ARMM includes Cotabato City, which forms part of Region 12, in its area of operation for being contiguous to Maguindanao, a province component of the autonomous region.

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

“We will provide intelligence information and support, both manpower and firepower, to the PDEA-ARMM,” Supt. Joane Maganto, Cotabato City PNP deputy director for operations, told reporters Monday.

“Any information about illegal drug activities, drug syndicates, selling, pushing and using of prohibited drugs will be immediately forwarded to the PDEA for appropriate action,” he added.

The city government has been providing intelligence information to police and PDEA-ARMM, which maintains its headquarters here.

With the lead role in the hands of the PDEA-ARMM, police and the city government have vowed to continue supporting the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

In Maguindanao, Sr. Supt. Agustin Tello, police provincial director, said his office would continue supporting the war on drugs in support roles.

Tello said anyone arrested in possession of prohibited drugs at police checkpoints would be turned over to PDEA, including all the evidences, for further investigation and filing of appropriate charges.

Cotabato City eyes hand washing world record

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Education (DepED)-Cotabato City Division will attempt to set a Guinness record when the world observes the forthcoming Global Hand Washing Day.

Alex Matugas, DepED-Cotabato City water sanitation and hygiene focal person, said the event will take place on Oct. 17, along a two-kilometer stretch of Sinsuat Avenue here.

“We aim to set a world record with a highest number of children participating in the proper and correct and right hand washing in one setting,” Matugas said.

He noted that they expect some 5,000 children washing hands in 105 units of hand washing facilities along the road in front of the City Hall up to Sero Elementary School, both on Sinsuat Avenue. The thoroughfare would be temporarily closed for the event.

The longest hand washing facility and the children performing the right hand washing aims to send a message on the importance of proper hygiene.

“Correct hand washing is like hitting two birds with one stone – to have clean hands and to avoid common diseases like diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis, among others,” he said.

Senate okays P33.57-B ARMM budget for 2018

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Senate approved on Wednesday the PhP33.569 billion budget for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for 2018, the region’s information bureau said.

In a statement, the Bureau of Public Information (BPI)–ARMM said the Senate’s approval of the budget proposition came “without much discussion and in less than a minute.”

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman described the speedy approval of the budget as a manifestation of the Senate's trust in his administration.

"Sa Senate finance subcommittee hearing pa lang (Even during the Senate subcommittee hearing), we (already) received positive feedbacks na from our lawmakers," Hataman said.

The Senate Finance Subcommittee endorsed the budget proposal last Sept. 18.

Early on, the budget also passed swiftly before the House of Representatives after it received support from the majority on Sept. 12.

In the 2018 ARMM budget, some PhP14.7 billion or 43.8 percent is allocated for personnel service. Another PhP14 billion or 42 percent is allotted for capital outlay, while the remaining PhP4.7 billion or 14 percent is apportioned for maintenance and other operating expenses.

Hataman said the budget was crafted based on a number of considerations that included the ARMM Regional Development Plan 2017–2022 anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

The region’s 2018 budget intends foremost to boost the current administration's two banner programs, namely the ARMM's Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Equity (BRIDGE) and the ARMM-Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Security, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) packages.

So far, the ARMM–BRIDGE program has provided shelter, electricity, water and food provision for 5,600 less privileged families across the region. It is expected that 7,000 more families would benefit from it in 2018.

The ARMM–HELPS program, meanwhile, targets to establish a peaceful and secure environment in the region by providing basic social services to health, education, livelihood, good governance and peace in the communities.

Since 2014, a total of 403 barangays managed to establish their barangay peace center, health centers, water facilities, daycare centers and livelihood centers and housing projects.

In 2018, the region is eyeing to set up more infrastructures in 150 villages across the region.

DepEd-ARMM cited for prompt payment of teachers’ loans

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) has received citations from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for its efficiency in the collection of loan repayments from teachers.

John Magno, DepE -ARMM secretary, said on Monday that ARMM teachers are now recovering from troubles caused by corruption practices of previous education officials with regards to GSIS remittances and loan repayments.

Former education officials had embezzled millions of government funds before the current administration assumed office in 2013.

Magno said the government workers insurance firm has restored the grant of loans to ARMM teachers after DepEd-ARMM settled its premium arrears that went as far as year 2000.

Due to the non-payment of previous ARMM officials on its obligations with GSIS, teachers were denied the firm’s benefits to its members.

Magno said his efforts to settle his office obligation with GSIS earned him the citation, but he refused to claim credit although the citation had his name on it.

“All honor and recognition goes to the employees of DepEd-ARMM for their painstaking effort of resolving the problems they had with GSIS,” Magno said of the recognition he received in Koronadal City where the GSIS regional office is located.

Besides addressing DepEd-ARMM obligations with GSIS, Magno also helped ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman cleanse the department of ghost teachers, pupils and schools, saving the government millions of funds.

Magno added that his office’s periodic remittances to GSIS are also done in the most transparent manner.

DENR to plant million trees along ARMM highways

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Before they bow out of office when the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law becomes operational in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), environment officials will start planting millions of trees along major highways in the ARMM to establish an environmentally-friendly landmark, officials said Monday.

Forester Kahal Kedtag, regional secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said the program will be pioneered in Maguindanao, which hosts the nursery that houses millions of seedlings in the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Speaking to reporters, Kedtag said the greening program, aligned with the national greening program, will be participated in by regional and provincial DENR workers, local government units, police, military and non-government organizations.

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

Kedtag said the program aims to plant forest trees along stretches of the Cotabato-Isulan highway in Maguindanao. Tree planting activities will start soon.

"Once the trees grow along the highways, motorists passing the road will manage to identify that they are in the ARMM,” Kedtag said.

He noted that it was ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman who floated the idea, as the regional officials want to leave a legacy to the Bangsamoro people.

“Even Moro rebels who signed the peace deal with the government are invited to participate in this project that benefits all, regardless of political, religious, cultural and race identification,” Kedtag said.

DepEd-ARMM releases 4,000 chairs, tables in Sulu

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) distributed 4,000 brand new armchairs for students and tables for teachers in various public schools, including a Badjao school, in Sulu.

DepEd-ARMM secretary John Amil Magno personally inspected the armchairs and teacher’s tables delivered in Zamboanga city prior to its transfer to Jolo.

“I wanted to ensure that the 4,000 plus chairs are all accounted for and delivered to the different recipient schools in Sulu,” Magno said.

Meanwhile, Fheng Salialam Sakandal, a teacher assigned in a Badjao community in Sulu said she is glad that Badjao Primary school is one of the recipients of the student chairs and teacher tables.

The teachers of Sulu were among those who happily celebrated Teacher’s Day on Thursday.

DENR-ARMM launches official publication

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR - ARMM) has launched its official publication called "Gaddung," a local term for green.

“Gaddung symbolizes the shade of our environment as well as our identity as a Bangsamoro,” said Albashir Saiden, the magazine’s editor-in-chief.

He said the magazine aims to strengthen DENR-ARMM’s campaign for more eco-friendly communities in the region’s component provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Basilan; and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.

"Gaddung" has for its theme “For a greener and climate-smart ARMM”, which hopes to bring a unified region that promotes greener and climate-smart ecosystem.

"It also seeks to inform the public, especially those at the grassroots, about the department’s social transformation, climate change mitigation programs, as well as other accomplishments and initiatives,” he added.

DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Kedtag, for his part, said the publication includes the achievements of their field offices, which in the past only chief of offices have access.

“Through this publication, everybody will know what is going on at DENR-ARMM,” he clarified.

The maiden issue, with more than 200 copies, would be distributed to ARMM’s different line agencies.

Saiden said prints would also be sent to DENR-Manila, libraries, schools and coffee shops for reference.

For the upcoming issue, the department plans to highlight accomplishments in the provincial level that will also feature activities of provincial and community DENR officers.

BSP honors outstanding partners in Region 12 and ARMM

(PGFruylan-PIA-Gensan)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY(PIA) – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) presented nine awards to outstanding partners in SOCCSKSARGEN Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who have showed exemplary support to the advocacy programs of the central bank and the effective delivery of its functions.

BSP Monetary Board Member Juan De Zuniga, Jr. led the awarding of the “Dynamic Balance, Philippine Eagle” trophy to nine stakeholders during the recently conducted 2017 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch at Greenleaf Hotel, in this city.

Under the Business Expectations Survey Category, RDEX Food International Phils., Inc. was chosen as the Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms while RD Hardware and Fishing Supply, Inc. was recognized as the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms in Region 12 and ARMM.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 12 and the Regional Planning and Development Office-ARMM both received the award for Outstanding Partner for the Report on Regional Economic Developments in the Philippines under the Sources of Information Category.

Moreover, the BSP also conferred the Outstanding Regional Partner in Currency Programs to Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)-Cotabato Branch for Clean Note Policy; and the Cotabato City National High School for coin recirculation.

The Oblate Media (Radyo Bida, Happy FM, and the Mindanao Cross) and the Department of Trade and Industry-General Santos City Field Office were recognized as Outstanding Regional Partner for the Demonetization of the New Design Series.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education-Schools Division of Cotabato City was recognized as the Outstanding Regional Partner in Implementing BSP Advocacy on the Conduct of Public Information Campaigns.

Zuniga said they want the public to know that BSP is more than just a central bank which manufactures the country’s currency.

He pointed out that BSP has mandates which include price stability, healthy financial system, efficient and stable payment system, and financial inclusion; or the mandate to “deliver a high quality of life for all Filipinos.”

The 2017 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for Stakeholders was part of the 24th anniversary celebration of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with the theme: “Transforming Shared Visions into Dynamic Partnership.”

Tawi-tawi lures tourists

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

THE Department of Tourism–Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (DOT-Armm) recorded around 70,000 tourists who visited Tawi-Tawi for the first seven months of 2017, surpassing a year-round tourist arrival data in 2016, at only 60,000 tourists.

DOT-Armm Regional Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar Dilangalen said in an interview last Wednesday, September 27, in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, that the province is gaining tourism momentum under this administration.

“From January to July 2017, we asked data from the hotels, airport and seaport operators, and we recorded over 70,000 tourists who visited Tawi-Tawi. The figure is higher as compared to 2016 data at 60,000,” she said, adding that the 1 million-visitor data, which was reported early this year, was announced incorrectly.

Dilangalen emphasized that one of DOT-Armm’s focused areas for development is Tawi-Tawi.

“We already had an assessment with all the provinces in Armm and we came up with the tourism roadmap, there will be massive tourism promotions especially in Tawi-Tawi since it appears to be the one that has more tourism potentials among all the provinces," she said.

Of the figure, five percent are from foreign tourists mostly from Malaysia due to the annual visit of Muslims to Sheik Karim al Makdum Mosque, the first and oldest mosque in the Philippines build in 1380.

For domestic tourists, Dilangalen said, most are from Luzon, who are lured by the beautiful and virgin beaches of the province.

Some of the province’s tourist attractions are the Sheik Karim al Makdum Mosque in Simunul, Turtle Island, Panampangan Island, Sitangkai Island, and Bud Bongao Peak, among others.

Bongao town mayor Jimuel Shia Que said they are eyeing, for now, local tourists.

Investment leads

Tawi-Tawi Governor Rashidin Matba said that a number of local investors engaged in hotel operations showed interest in investing in Tawi-Tawi.

These investments, though not yet fully committed, are mostly to be established in the islands and mainland of the province.

But, the governor emphasized that economic and environmental balance will be observed in the area for sustainability purposes.

Dilangalen also said that though development projects are needed in the area, careful screening and limitations will be implemented to keep the province’s natural beauty.

“We also require all the local government units of Tawi-Tawi to come up with a municipal tourism plan to avoid congestion of tourists and implement policies to make it sustainable,” she said.

Infrastructure

Matba siad that to connect island municipalities of the province, he asked President Rodrigo Duterte to fund bridges construction in the province, to which the President positively responded.

We asked three bridges to connect municipalities of Bongao, Languyan and Tandubas. Right now, we are just waiting for the start of construction but the President already committed for this project,” he said.

The project, he said, is pegged at P2.3 billion.

“With this enhanced connectivity, economic activities will thrive, not only in agriculture, it will also boost trade and tourism,” Matba added.

Tawi-Tawi is one of the focused areas for the DOT’s Mindanao Joint Planning and Programming for Tourism Development and Mindanao Development Authority’s Mindanao Development Corridors.

Tourism efforts

Bongao tourism officer Kinlene Sabaani, for her part, said they are geared towards creating tour packages to serve better the tourists interested to explore Tawi-Tawi.

“We are still developing it (tour packages) but hopefully early next year we can already come up with it along with our tour operators,” she said.

At present, only those Zamboanga City-based tour operators are serving the province.

Security

The DOT-Armm secretary underscored that at present, tourists shall first coordinate with the local government unit to secure safety.

Dilangalen said tourists are very safe in the area as “tourism police” are placed in the area.

She added the good image of Armm should be accentuated. Dilangalen also called media to stop generalizing the Muslim region as war-torn zone.

DTI-Armm sets week-long social enterprise camp

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Department of Trade and Industry-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-Armm) announced that a week-long social enterprise camp is set to be held from November 5 to 11 in Davao City.

DTI-Armm Secretary Anwar Malang said the camp is aimed to gather diverse individuals who would like to explore their creative side while offering space to exchange, foster, think, and collaborate about social innovations through social enterprise.

The camp is an activity initiated by the DTI-Armm in partnership with Strengthening Civil Society Participation in Social Enterprise Education Development (SCSP-Seed).

SCSP-Seed is a project financed by the European Union and co-financed and implemented by the British Council.

Through the camp, Malang said the SCSP-Seed hopes to encourage individuals to use social enterprise to create visions for a better, secure and more prosperous future.

Malang said the camp is open to youth organizations, civil society organizations, cooperatives, community, or people’s organizations seeking to deepen their social impact in a more sustainable manner through entrepreneurship.

He said the camp is open to the youth and even to the elderly who are willing to learn through the project.

“They must submit a two-minute video, which will explain the impact of their social enterprise idea to the community,” he added.

A seed funding of P100,000 and a one-year mentoring support will be given to each generated idea that best fit the contest’s criteria.

Interested applicants may log on to www.britishcouncil.ph.

Completed application forms should be emailed to changemaker@britishcouncil.org.ph, or can be submitted through the DTI-Armm’s office in Cotabato City.

Deadline for applications will be on October 21 and the announcement of the participants will be on October 26.

This year’s week-long social enterprise camp is anchored on the theme “Local Changes: A Social Enterprise Ideation Camp.”

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