Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News August 2017

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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.

Caravan to Marawi highlights Peace Month

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) has lined up activities in line with the observance of the Peace Month in September.

In a statement, Opapp on Tuesday said simultaneous celebration of Eid’l Adha on Friday, September 1, at the four evacuation centers in Iligan City will mark the formal launch of the Peace Month.

Officials from Opapp and other national as well as local government agencies are expected to join the celebration.

This year’s Peace Month highlight is the “Peace Buzz,” which is a peace caravan that will roam nationwide to bring the government’s peace initiatives on the ground.

The "Peace Buzz" will kick off in Baguio City, and will make stops in Quezon City, Legazpi City, Catbalogan City, Butuan City, Davao City, Iligan City. It will conclude its journey in Marawi City, in time for the Closing Ceremony of the Peace Month.

Aside from the "Peace Buzz," Opapp will also conduct series of fora that aims to educate different stakeholders about the peace process.

The other activities will include contests that target the youth such as film-making, photography, and spoken word competition.

Opapp Undersecretary Nabil Tan has encouraged the public to be active participants to the peace process and be advocates of peace.

“Let us find ways in which we can contribute to the ongoing peace process and become catalysts of peace, unity and understanding in our respective communities,” Tan said.

“I believe that all of us can be peace builders. Let us start now,” he added.

The month of September was declared as the “National Peace Consciousness Month” by virtue of Proclamation No. 675 dated July 2004.

This year’s celebration of the Peace Month is anchored in the theme “Puso para sa Kapayapaan, Magkaisa para sa Bayan.”

35 Marawi kids to meet with Duterte on Tuesday

By Amita Legaspi(KBK, GMA News)

Children from battle-torn Marawi City are set to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday afternoon in Malacanang.

The children — 35 all in all, aged 7 to 13 years old — are part of the five-day “Tabak Educational Tour: Peaceful Environment for Marawi Children” by the Joint Task Force Marawi.

They had a simple send off ceremony at the Lanao del Sur provincial Capitol on Monday morning.

"This is one of the initiatives of the Armed Forces and to ensure that those children displaced by the crisis in Marawi City are given adequate support and psychosocial treatment by the government,” Brigadier General Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the JTF Marawi and the 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division, said.

“It is imperative that at the initial stage, those deemed vulnerable are being guided and educated to know their roles in the mainstream society,” he added.

The children were identified as among those vulnerable and susceptible to violent extremism, Bautista said.

The tour, to be held from August 28 to September 1, is expected to provide the participants with educational experience, social and cultural values for peace-building, and exposure to peaceful environments.

"Rather than hold guns and become combatants, we want these children to foster a sense of responsibility and, in the future, become leaders of a peaceful Marawi," said Bautista.

JTF Marawi sought the help of the provincial government of Lanao del Sur, Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Desk, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, and Kilos Kabataan Livelihood Foundation, Inc. to make the endeavor possible.

The military also coordinated with concerned government agencies, offices, and partners in Manila.

Cotabato City is 2nd most competitive city in PH

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: Efforts to attract investors to this once troubled city got a boost when it won another governance efficiency citation from a national entity last week.

It landed on the 2nd top spot of the 2017 search for most competitive cities in the Philippines.

Halima Satol-Ibrahim, city information officer, said Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi received the award during the 5th Regional Competitiveness Summit Awards Ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

She added that the annual awards are an activity of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).

No fewer than a hundred cities vied for this year’s awards. NCC is a non-profit entity comprised of different state agencies and public organizations promoting good governance, peace and economic stability in line with the Philippine Development Plan.

In its roster are representatives from the Trade, Finance, Energy, Tourism and Education departments, from the National Economic and Development Authority and local sectoral representatives, among them officials of business communities and peace-advocacy blocs.

“The office of the city mayor is thankful to its constituent-sectors for helping promote good governance through community peace initiatives and other activities complementing the effort of transforming our local government unit into a facet of good governance,” Satol-Ibrahim said.

Cotabato City has received several citations related to governance proficiency in the past five years, among them the “Child-friendly City” award from the Council for the Safety of Children.

Negosyo Center to boost entrepreneurial culture in Basilan

By Rene V. Carbayas (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – The launching of the Negosyo Center in Lamitan City, Basilan is seen boost entrepreneurial culture in Basilan.

This was the statement of Mayor Rose Furigay as she thanked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for establishing the center at the heart of the city, which will pave the way to improve and give more opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in Basilan, most especially in Lamitan City.

“As your partner with this project, we wish to assure that Lamitan City shall actively promote entrepreneurship among our people here and in the neighboring municipalities, as well. So we shall be the central hub for new business ideas, innovation, and best business practices; of course with the support and involvement of the DTI and our people,” she said.

In her message, the mayor pointed out how this event may help achieve the entrepreneurial culture that would benefit not only the people of Lamitan but the province and the nation’s economic development as well.

Lamiteños were anticipating the arrival of honored guest, Senator Bam Aquino, but were frustrated that he sent his staff instead.

Norman Cualteros, policy officer, office of Sen Bam Aquino apologized for the absence of the Senator citing equally important engagement in Manila. He assured, however, that the Senator is proud that the Negosyo Center is now fully operational.

“Malaki po ang potential ng Lamitan, lalung-lalo po sa pagbukas ng negosyo center. Ngayon po mabilis na ang ating pag-unlad dahil sa panunungkulan ng ating local leaders. Lalo pa po itong mapapabilis dahil may partnership na ng negosyo center, ng local government, and of course the local people, the local entrepreneurs who really want to push for an enterprise development in this area. So tulung-tulong po tayo,” he said.

Cualteros recalled that in 2013, Senator Bam has instructed them to propose a bill that will make it easy for entrepreneurs to put up a business and improve their quality of life. And thus, Republic Act 10644 was born as the first ever law of the senator.

Nonito Manuel, OIC DTI provincial director said that Negosyo Centers (NC) shall promote ease of doing business and facilitate access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction.

“With the establishment of NC in Lamitan, we are expecting more businesses to grow, more people to go entrepreneurial, and avail of the center’s services not only those who are in the city but also those from neighboring municipalities, which we also intend to replicate in the next few days,” he said.

The DTI ensures management guidance assistance and improvement of the working conditions of MSMEs in Lamitan with the support and cooperation of the people and partner agencies.

The NC will be managed by the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council of Lamitan which was established on April 11, 2017.

New Armm investment to boost Mindanao economic development

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) said an investment of P129 million poured in by a terminal services firm as listed by the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) is seen to boost the Mindanao Economic Corridors strategy for Mindanao Economic Development (MED).

RBOI-Armm last week registered the Bangsamoro Terminal Services, Incorporated (BTSI) to operate the Polloc Freeport in Parang, Maguindanao.

“This is because Polloc Port provides easy access for bulk cargo in Central Mindanao, particularly Maguindanao, the landlocked areas of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the coastal municipalities of Lanao del Sur,” said lawyer Ishak Mastura, regional chair and head of RBOI-Armm.

He said Polloc Port, located in Parang, Maguindanao, is a vital component of South Central Mindanao Corridor under the Mindanao Development Authority’s (Minda) Economic Development Corridors strategy for economic growth.

The Mindanao Development Corridors is a three-dimensional development strategy that aims to increase the competitiveness of Mindanao industries by providing them with common service facilities.

It also aims to achieve physical integration among key economic clusters in Mindanao in its bid to become self-reliant and internally dependable.

Mastura said the program will also prepare the island-region towards greater economic cooperation with the BIMP-EAGA and other member countries of Asean Economic Community.

Cargo handling company in Polloc Port was previously under the PTC Mindanao Port Services, Inc. (PTC-MPSI) which was later sold to Lamsan Holdings Corporation.

In 2015, Lamsan took over the management after acquiring 100 percent of its shares of stocks including the Cargo Handling Contract with the Regional Ports Authority (RPA).

BTSI also provides trucking services to shippers utilizing the Polloc Freeport. At present, the company employs 232 workers.

P129-M Polloc Port investment to boost Mindanao economic corridor

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The recent registration by the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) of the P129-million investment of Bangsamoro Terminal Services, Inc. (BTSI) based in Polloc Port is seen to boost the Mindanao Economic Corridors strategy for the province’s economic development.

RBOI-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) chairman Ishak Mastura said this is because Polloc Port provides easy access for bulk cargo in Central Mindanao, particularly Maguindanao, the land-locked areas of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the coastal municipalities of Lanao del Sur.

Polloc Port is a key node in the South Central Mindanao Corridor under the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) Economic Development Corridors strategy for economic growth, Mastura pointed out.

The Mindanao Development Corridors is a spatial development strategy that aims to increase the competitiveness of Mindanao industries by providing them with common service facilities in its bid to become self-reliant and internally dependable, Mastura added.

Basilan infra projects to spur island’s growth

By Nonoy E. Lacson

Lamitan City, Basilan – There are six ongoing and recently completed major government infrastructure projects in Lamitan City and city officials are confident the projects will weaken the Abu Sayyaf which capitalizes on poverty to stoke public hatred on government.

Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said foremost among the projects are the P1-billion transcentral road that connects Barangay Sta. Clara to Sumisip town in the southwest of Basilan, and the newly completed P150-million expansion of the Lamitan port.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Don Mustapha Loong said the road project, also known as “peace road,” will cut through Ponoh Mahadjeh, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, and open up hinterlands suitable to orchard and rubber tree propagation.

It will also pass through Basilan’s Sampinit Complex, a forested area with eco-tourism potentials, Loong said.

This road project will spur livelihood and gradually marginalize the Abu Sayyaf, Furigay said.

The expansion of the Lamitan wharf will boost the city’s investment climate, where new businesses have sprouted lately.

The peace road and the port improvement projects are part of the flagship infrastructure thrusts in Basilan of the office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman and supervised by Loong and DPWH Basilan District Engineer Soler Undug.

Japan donates $800k for UNICEF programs in Marawi

(ABS-CBN News)

MANILA - The Japanese government extended an $800,000 grant, or roughly P41 million, to the UNICEF to use for its programs in Marawi City.

In a statement, UNICEF Philippines representative Lotta Sylwander welcomed the "generous support."

"UNICEF thanks the government of Japan for the generous support that will enable us to scale up response to the displaced and affected population of Marawi," Sylwander said.

"Access to immunization, nutrition, safe drinking water and clean sanitation is a fundamental human right of children and families we serve.

"Impeded access of these life-saving services poses significant public-health threat and adversely affects the livelihoods and safety of women and children (that) further exacerbates humanitarian crisis and displacement."

Sylwander said the UNICEF draws strength from its partnership with the Japanese government to provide the needs of Filipino children and communities.

According to the UN program, the ongoing conflict in Marawi City has displaced in 359,680 people, more than 200,000 of which are children.

Many of those affected are dealing with scarce household resources, including food and school supplies.

“Taking the strong bilateral ties between Japan and the Philippines into consideration, which have been re-affirmed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Rodrigo Duterte on a number of occasions, Japan is extending this humanitarian grant aid to support the affected population in Mindanao,” the Japanese embassy said in a statement.

The UNICEF's response in the water and sanitation sectors includes distribution of 1,751 hygiene kits and 2,166 water kits, as well as sessions promoting hygiene in the areas of Lanao del Norte, Pantao Ragat, Pantar and Balo-i and Iligan City; and Saguiaran in Lanao del Sur.

Water-storage bladders, jerry cans and water-purification tablets were also provided to those at evacuation centers.

The UNICEF, likewise, provided micronutrient and Vitamin A supplements for children and iron-folic acid tablets for 3,000 pregnant and lactating women.

The UN body also supported the Department of Public Works and Highways of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, along with other partners, in constructing 198 temporary and semi-permanent toilets and 40 bathing facilities.

UN-WFP cites Maguindanaon pupil

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- A 13-year-old Maguindanaon pupil made waves before the United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP).

Christian James Pragados dela Peña, a student of a public school in Buldon, Maguindanao, has been named as one of the winners in the international WFP Children's Design Competition for 2017 organized by the UN-WFP.

In his winning piece, dela Peña painted his vision of a world that saves food for the next generation, including him, besting 20 other finalists selected from a short list of 22 paintings by school children from across the globe.

On Tuesday, dela Peña, was presented a prize of US$350, of which US$150 for himself and US$200 for his school, Dinganen Central Elementary School in Buldon, Maguindanao to promote painting and art work as noble profession.

In a statement, the UN-WFP said all participating students were attending schools that have been involved in WFP’s worldwide school meal program, designed to both fortify the health of school children as well as keep them in the classroom even during difficult times.

Under the program, pupils receive meals or snacks in school and take-home rations.

Across the globe to date, WFP provides food to more than 16 million children in school meal program in 60 countries.

Education plays a significant role in breaking the cycle of hunger, and WFP strives to reach the poorest and most vulnerable children, it said in a statement.

Themed “Zero Hunger: The future begins with food,” the competition involved both an art piece and explanatory note. In between drawings at home, dela Peña, played basketball and dreamed of becoming a successful painter someday.

Mats Persson, WFP country director ad interim for the Philippines, said the art work will help UN-WFP see the future of children and what they hope for.

“The illustrations made by the school children help us see the hopes, visions, and potentials they have, reminding us the importance of investing in their future,” Persson said.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, executive secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), was elated a Maguindanaon made it to the UN painting search.

“Thanks to WFP for helping nurture the potentials of our children to pursue their hopes and dreams for a better future,” she said in a statement.

“Congratulations to our children artists! Continue to dream big and excel in your chosen field. The entire Bangsamoro is proud of you,” Alamia added.

In the competition, five drawings from the Philippines were submitted to the competition judges at WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Of the 20 winners, 3 artworks from the Philippines made it to semi-finals.

“All of us at WFP congratulate the young artists for creating such unique and inspiring works. They made us all proud,” Persson said.

April Carlen Ardoña of WFP-Philippines said the artwork of Dela Peña will be displayed in the WFP headquarters.

The same art will be featured in wall calendars and greeting cards for global distribution to continue raising awareness of the WFP’s works.

DICT trains young profs on rural impact sourcing

By Rene V. Carbayas (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan with reports from Angel Chua of DICT)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – Selected socio-economically disadvantaged young professionals in Lamitan City availed free ICT training from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) recently.

DICT information officer Angel A. Chua disclosed that some 25 young professionals from Lamitan City have been identified as scholars to the 5-week Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) Technical Training conducted by the department in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the City Government of Lamitan.

During the launching ceremony on August 8, DICT Director Maria Teresa M. Camba said that the heart of the training is to help the unemployed and underemployed in the countryside to find ICT-related jobs.

“We are pushing this [training] because we want to create jobs in the countryside where the population is high, the talent is ripe, yet the employment is low due to lack of investors. At the end of the training, we hope that the scholars will be able to land an online job and will not have to leave Lamitan City anymore,” she said.

Camba added that to improve the skills of the scholars, they will be assigned to work with local MSMEs (micro-small and medium enterprises) in the city and help the latter to create and boost their online presence.

Chua also noted that upon sharing this opportunity to MSMEs, a member from the Yakan Weavers Association, expressed her excitement as the outputs of the training will expand their market and increase their income thru the website that will be created featuring their products.

Meanwhile, Lamitan City Mayor Rosita U. Furigay personally graced the event and expressed her heartfelt thanks to the DICT for the partnership in the project.

“Since our partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, a lot of great things happened to Lamitan City such as the establishment of Tech4ED Center and RIS Hub, the training workshops for our Yakan Weavers, and now the RIS Technical Training,” Mayor Furigay said.

To be able to help address unemployment and support more Filipinos in the countryside gain employment through the online freelancing industry, the DICT has developed a module that will provide technical training on ICT-related jobs. The training primarily aims to increase people’s hireability by focusing on development and improvement on their ICT skills and utilize it for employment opportunities.

Further, this training recognizes the role of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) to provide employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth especially within their locality. By increasing competency of the talent, this training will also serve as an avenue to promote the use of e-Commerce by MSMEs.

In the conduct of these trainings, special Technology empowerment for economic development (Tech4Ed) Centers will be established and utilized to serve as training centers in selected communities. The Tech4ED Center is a shared facility which provides access to ICT-enabled contents and services. These centers will also serve as RIS hubs where beneficiaries, after the training, can do jobs online with its free facilities.

DICT identified 27 training sites across the country; four in the list are under Mindanao Cluster 1’s area of responsibilities to include Zamboanga City, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, and Lamitan, Basilan. Lamitan is the only city in ARMM to be part of the training series.

ARMM tops fisheries production in 2016

(Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the top fish-producing region in the country in 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

Based on the 2016 Fisheries Situationer released by the PSA, the region produced 824,314.52 metric tons of fisheries products in 2016. The region’s production accounts for 18.93% of the country’s total production at 4,354,472.61 metric tons in 2016. Zamboanga Peninsula followed with 554,769.71 metric tons, and MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Tomblon and Palawan) with 482,790.71 metric tons.

The situationer report presents the data on volume and value of production of fisheries during the period. It contains information on the current situation by major species of the three fisheries subsector, namely: commercial fisheries, municipal fisheries, and aquaculture.

The region is the top producer of roundscad (galunggong) with 24,264.33 metric tons, frigate tuna (tulingan) with 24,815.91 metric tons, Indian mackerel with 10,737.33 metric tons, eastern little tuna (bonito) with 12,994.80 metric tons, and seaweeds with 613,174.28 metric tons.

Janice Desamito-Musali, director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-ARMM, said the high fisheries production of the region could be attributed to different factors.

The region also produces the biggest seaweeds volume in the country. The ARMM’s seaweeds production accounts for 43.66% of the country's total with 1,404,519.23 metric tons. “The coastlines of the islands in the region have wider stretch, which is very suitable for seaweeds farming,” Dir Musali said.

“Good weather conditions, lesser occurrences of ‘ice-ice’ diseases, good quality planting materials and favorable water conditions enhance the growth of seaweeds in our region,” added Dir. Musali.

A total of 159,123 fishermen are operating in the 18,426,613 hectares of territorial water area under the region’s administrative jurisdiction. The fishing grounds in the region include Illana Bay, Moro Gulf, Basilan Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

In 2015 and 2016, the region was also the country’s highest producer of fishery products. The region produced 867,272 metric tons in 2015, and 856,957.27 metric tons in 2014 – a contribution equivalent to 18.65% and 18.27% of national production, respectively.

The region also posted the highest inland fisheries production with 243,134.78 metric tons, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with 126,575.07 metric tons, and Central Luzon with 92,609.51 metric tons.

The Fisheries situationer serves as an output of the four fisheries surveys regularly conducted by the PSA. The surveys are Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey, Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey, Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey and Quarterly Aquaculture Survey.

Investments keep coming to Armm

By Edwin O. Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY, Aug 11 -- The Marawi Crisis did not stop investors from pouring in capital in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm, investment officials Thursday said.

The Regional Board of Investments (RBOI-Armm) announced the approval of a P129-million port related services in Parang town in Maguindanao, about two hour drive from Marawi City.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI-Armm chair, said the Bangsamoro Terminal Services Inc. (BTSI) based at Polloc Freeport in Parang invested in this project to provide efficient logistics support to the thriving businesses in the provinces of Armm such as Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, also the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, both in Central Mindanao including Cotabato City.

Mastura, also managing head of RBOI, said that with the addition of BTSI, the worth of investments registered with RBOI this 2017 is now at P3.2 billion.

“This signifies an uninterrupted growth of investments in the region despite the Marawi crisis,” Mastura said in a statement.

”The company’s reliable services of delivering the goods to customers on time and in right condition have strengthen local businesses. Cargo handling is very critical in the logistics and supply chain, problems in the cargo movement will cause delays and will cost a lot of money to enterprises,” Mastura added.

The cargo-handling company was owned by PTC Mindanao Port Services Inc. (MPSI) organized in Manila in 1979 and expanded its operations in Zamboanga City. PTC-MPSI rendered arrastre, stevedoring, other port related services and eventually entered into trucking business.

The first chair of its board of directors was former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos. In 2014, PTC-MPSI offered to sale the company to Maguindanao based Lamsan Holdings Corp.

In March 2015, Lamsan took over the management after acquiring 100 percent of its shares of stocks including the Cargo Handling Contract with the Regional Ports Authority (RPA).

In February 2016, with the approval of the Securities of Exchange Commission (SEC), the new management changed its name from PTC-MPSI to now BTSI. According to BTSI manager Luigi Piccolo V. Peña, the company is a holder of a 15-year Management Contract with the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) for its operations at Polloc Freeport from May 2007 to April 2022.

“The project will effectively impact the flow of goods and services. This will make the businesses strong within towns and cities in Armm and Central Mindanao bringing more jobs into these areas,” Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman said as he welcomed the new investment.

Mastura said companies that register investment with RBOI are entitled to fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, such as Income Tax Holiday, duty free importation of capital equipment including genetic stock material, exemption from wharf duties, use of custom-bonded warehouse and streamlined custom procedures and issuance of investor visa for foreign nationals, among others.

DOST-ARMM hosts S&T invention, exhibit contest in Basilan

By Rene V. Carbayas (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)

ISABELA CITY (PIA) – Students displayed their ingenuity and creativity on science and technology (S&T) at the first biennial Provincial Invention Contest and Exhibit (PICE) held Monday in Lamitan City, Basilan.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Muslim Mindanao hosted the conduct of the exhibit to inspire and encourage young scientists to develop technology that addresses societal needs and problems.

Eight entries from the different high schools in Basilan participated in the contest, including the science and technology high school of Mindanao Autonomous College Foundation Inc. (MACFI), the Claret School of Lamitan, Lamitan National High School, Damaso C. Furigay Jr. National High School, and Maluso National High School.

Ms. Myra B. Mangkabung, DOST regional secretary said that the Basilan Provincial Invention Contest and Exhibit (PICE) held on August 7 for young scientists will compete at the regional level this September.

“Our plaudits to the OIC PSTD of Basilan Maksurin Rizal, to the focal person Fredric Cadungog, and the DepEd ARMM for a job well done. The exhibits are from beauty products, shoe polish, organic Styrofoam-alternate, solar gadgets, hydro-electric models and a lot more,” she said.

Mangkabung was also elated over the participation of both the public and private high schools in Basilan for the invention contest.

She further explained that the event is indeed the first provincial event in Basilan, but actually, the PICE was held for held for the second time already. She said the first was held last year when only one entry from Basilan was sent for the regional contest and won. She hopes that this year, more entries could be sent.

“We are encouraging our teachers and students to use their innovative minds. You know the backbone of economy is science. Without science, there is no development,” she said citing that the gadgets that people use today came out of research and development in science.

She thanked the teachers for guiding their students, and even spending for some logistical needs for the students’ projects. For this, she asked students in return to work hard to innovate and invent more.

“Winning the competition is just a bonus, but experiencing and doing the research is worth more until the students become professionals,” she said.

Four entries qualified for the regional competition: the cassava-based organic Styrofoam-alternative of MACFI, the solar ventilator and facial cream and scrub of Claret School of Lamitan, and the organic shoe polish of Lamitan National High School.

Judges were from the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Education-ARMM, and the local government of Lamitan City.

ARMM to participate in Budayaw Festival

By Nonoy E. Lacson and Ali G. Macabalang

Zamboanga City – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will participate in various activities slated in the international Budayaw Festival from September 20 to 24 in General Santos City.

Dubbed “Budayaw: 2017 Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Festival of Culture and the Arts,” the event will showcase the diversity of creative expressions of cultural masters and artists from the BIMP-EAGA.

Maritess Maguindra, director of the Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM, said the region will take part in different activities that will include a presentation on culture during the Colloquium, presentation of masterpieces of cultural artists, and an exhibit that will feature Muslim Filipino’s rich history and culture.

“Budayaw is a platform and mechanism to bring about cultural appreciation,” Maguindra said.

Budayaw is derived from two words, namely, “Budaya,” a Malay term that means culture, and “Dayaw,” a Filipino word that expresses bounty, beauty, and grace.

“Twenty years of economic cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA led to the realization that culture is an element in the sustainable development of the four countries,” Nestor Horfilla, head of the festival organizing committee,” Maguindara said.

The festival will bear the theme ‘Taking Pride in the Creative Diversity of the BIMP-EAGA Region.’

The events in the festival include Photo Exhibit and Colloquium, Visual Arts Exhibit and Workshops, Choral Special Concerts, Country Performance Showcase, Ikat Pavilion and Traditional Virtuosos, BIMP EAGA Tourism Pavilion, Mindanao History and Culture, Community Outreach Showcase, and Special Events and Outdoors Concert.

Gov’t gears up to rebuild Marawi

By Kris M. Crismundo (PNA)

MANILA -- The government is gearing up to rebuild Marawi City and other Marawi conflict-affected communities through an inter-agency task force called Task Force Bangon Marawi.

During the Bangon Marawi Forum at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City Friday, Task Force Bangon Marawi Spokesperson Kristoffer James Purisima said the administration prepares for the rehabilitation of Marawi City even clashes between government troops and terror groups is still ongoing.

“We are not waiting for the total conclusion of military operations before we undertake the rehabilitation efforts. Rather, we have already started the necessary steps toward the rehabilitation and recovery of ravage communities,” said Purisima, who is also an assistant secretary for Office of Civil Defense.

“The entire government of Republic of the Philippines, under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is committed to the mission of rebuilding Marawi City and all surrounding communities, restoring them to vibrant city and make them more resilient,” he added.

Last June 28, President Duterte signed the Administrative Order No. 3 creating Task Force Bangon Marawi, an inter-agency task force for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities, following the sustained damages to public infrastructure and private properties due to the clashes in the area.

The secretary of Department of National Defense (DND) is the chairperson for the Task Force Bangon Marawi.

There are 23 government agencies involved in the inter-agency task force.

The Task Force Bangon Marawi has sub-committees for reconstruction, led by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); for housing, led by Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS); for health and social welfare, co-headed by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); for business and livelihood, led by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and for peace and order, led by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

It has three support groups including Strategic Communications and Information Management chaired by the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO), Finance and Resource Mobilization co-chaired by National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Budget and Management, and Legal Support -- gathering lawyers from various government agencies -- chaired by the DND.

Purisima noted that the construction of transitional shelters is taking place in an 11-hectare area in the village of Sagonsongan. These shelters will serve as temporary resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“The construction of the initial 1,100 temporary shelter units shall begin by the first week of September,” Purisima mentioned.

He added that power and water utilities as well as telecommunication lines are being set up, while the building of other component infrastructure such as schools and markets, among others are now being scheduled.

“We are not only building houses, but communities,” Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. noted.

Moreover, the DPWH is on standby mode, waiting for the clashes in Marawi to end, and the area be declared as cleared so it can start building public infrastructure and new permanent housing for IDPs.

DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut said the department is looking at five areas where permanent housing will be built.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said there are 78,486 IDPs since the Marawi clash began last May 23.

Most of the IDPs are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and there are also number of IDPS in Region 10 and other parts of the country.

Taguiwalo mentioned that some PHP188 million worth of relief goods were distributed to IDPs -- PHP163 million from her department, PHP20 million from local government units (LGUs), and PHP4.5 million from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Likewise, the DTI assured to provide livelihood starter kit and training programs for those who would like to immediately return to businesses.

As of 7 p.m. Thursday, there were 1,724 rescued civilians in Marawi City; 45 civilians were killed by terrorists; 119 government troops were killed in action; 522 members of the terror group were killed; and 600 firearms were recovered.

ARMM economic chief to urge Australians to invest in the region

By Darwin Wally T. Wee (MindaNews)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 6 August) — The head of the Regional Board of Investment (RBOI) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is on a week-long trade mission in Australia to urge business executives there to invest in the region to help address the root causes of the chronic security problem in the region.

RBOI chief Ishak Mastura, along with other economic and trade officials of the country, flew to Australia on Sunday, August 6, to participate in the week-long trade and investment mission that is being organized by the Board of Investments (BOI) – Manila under the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP) program.

Mastura said the trade mission came at a critical time when Mindanao, particularly Marawi City, is facing a crisis.

“The Australian newspapers are full of stories and opinion columns that are referring to the Marawi Crisis as the Islamic State (IS) presence at their doorstep due to the proximity of Mindanao, particularly. to Darwin in Northern Australia,” he said, as the Marawi Crisis entered Day 76 on Sunday.

Government forces have been fighting the ISIS-inspired Maute Group and its allies in Marawi City since May 23.

“At the same time, there is increasing public call for Australia to be more involved in Mindanao in all spheres of activity from security to the economy. So we want to take advantage of such high public awareness in Australia regarding Marawi and the ARMM,” Mastura added.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said they are encouraging Australia to invest in agriculture, particularly in the cattle industry, since Australia has a well-developed Halal industry revolving around the supply of Halal meat to the Middle East.

“We can raise cattle cheaply in the ARMM or we can import them from Australia and process them into Halal meat products to be re-distributed around the region since ARMM and Mindanao are geographically at the heart of Muslim Southeast Asian countries, who all belong to the BIMP-EAGA or the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippine East ASEAN Growth Area,” he said.

Mastura said the delegation will present the Philippine economy and investment opportunities to the businessmen in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

He said Australian investors’ interest is high in the Philippines “because of the shared security environment that necessitates increased partnership and collaborations between the two countries.”

“Foremost in mind is the Marawi crisis in the ARMM, wherein IS affiliated armed groups occupied Marawi City with still no end in sight,” he said.

“Instead of turning off investors from investing in the country and the ARMM in particular, strategic investors have come forward to offer their help to rebuild Marawi City and provide much needed jobs in the ARMM,” Mastura said.

To date, the Australian government is active in providing aid in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Australian security is also assisting government troopers in the ongoing effort to flush-out militants in Marawi through by sending its AP-3C Orion aircraft to provide surveillance support.

The Australian government also gave $920,000 (P34.5 million) worth of food and other supplies to help address the situation of the displaced residents of Marawi.

Mastura said neighboring countries are concerned that the Marawi crisis could galvanize IS members from the region, who are returning home from the battlefields of Syria and Iraq, to seek sanctuary in Marawi City and its environs.

“This means that investments in building a vibrant economy that can provide jobs to the Muslim population in the ARMM have become a priority as disaffected Muslim populations with long-standing grievances are known to be susceptible to radicalization by IS,” he said.

Mastura said a recent United Nations study of 43 people who left their countries to become “foreign terrorist fighters” in Syria showed most of them came from disadvantaged backgrounds, lacked good education and decent jobs — and saw their Muslim religion “in terms of justice and injustice rather than in terms of piety and spirituality.”

Armm pushes economic investment for island provinces

(DWTW/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY --- he Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) is calling private companies to grab the opportunity and invest in the island provinces of Basilan and Sulu.

Armm is also composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi.

Ishak Mastura, chair and managing head of Regional Board of Investment in Armm (Armm-RBOI), on Thursday said the two island-provinces are surrounded by rich fishery grounds such as the Basilan Strait, Moro Gulf, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea producing quality aqua marine products and fishes.

“Both provinces have good soil attributes and sound climatic conditions suitable for highly valuable agricultural and industrial crops such as corn, coconut, rubber and many others. These positive characteristics attract investors to come and invest in the (two) island provinces,” Mastura said.

Rima Hassan, ARMM Business Council (ABC) chair and Basilan based businesswoman, has urged the regional government to look for investors who can match the resources and skills of the local folks.

“We hope that there will be power plants, milling plants, manufacturing plants and factories that can generate large number of jobs. We want to maximize the sustainable use of our natural resources and take advantage of our serene nature and promote eco-halal-tourism. We have a lot to offer to our investors,” Hassan said.

Mastura said the Armm-RBOI has registered P3.2 billion worth of investments as of July 2017 despite the ongoing crisis in Marawi City.

“We are expecting additional PhP1.5 billion costs of investments from companies engaged in cacao plantations and other agri-based projects before the year ends,” Mastura said.

Armm Gov. Mujiv Hataman said there is a need to put fresh capital in the island provinces in Basilan and Sulu.

“We want more investments in the region to prevent the formation of lawless elements in these areas, because what brings them to this situation is the lack of job opportunities which can be addressed if there are more businesses that will create productive activities and provide them with livelihoods to support their families. The ARG (Armm Regional Government) is doing its best to provide business friendly conditions amidt crisis,” Hataman said.

The Armm-RBOI recently held in this city the 2017 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) Roadshow for the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.

One of the highlights of the roadshow is the awarding of RBOI Certificate of Registration to J. Sayang Shipping Lines, Inc., which was received by the company’s President Mohammad Faisal Jamalul.

The company invested in a PhP33.5 million cargo-shipping project based in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to be used for inter-island trade, as well as, cross-border shipping with Malaysia.

Registered firms with RBOI will enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives from the government.

Armm is PH's top fish producer

(EOF/PNA)

COTABATO CITY, Aug 4 -– The five-province, twwo-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) was the top fish-producing region in the country in 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Thursday said.

The PSA released the 2016 Fisheries Situationer showing Armm produced 824,314.52 metric tons of fishery products in 2016.

Last year’s production was 18.93 percent of the country’s total production of 4,354,472.61 metric tons.

Coming in second was Zamboanga Peninsula with 554,769.71 MT and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) with 482,790.71 MT.

Armm was the top producer of roundscad (galunggong) with 24,264.33 MT, frigate tuna (tulingan) with 24,815.91 MT, Indian mackerel with 10,737.33 MT, eastern little tuna (bonito) with 12,994.80 MT, and seaweeds with 613,174.28 MT.

Many factors contributed to the good performance of the region’s fishery sector, according to Janice Desamito-Musali, director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-Armm).

Tawi-Tawi is the region’s producer of seaweeds and it also produces the biggest seaweeds volume in the country, making 43.66 MT percent of the total production of 1,404,519 MT.

“The coastlines of the islands in the region have wider stretch, which is very suitable for seaweeds farming,” Musali said.

“Good weather conditions, lesser occurrences of ‘ice-ice’ diseases, good quality planting materials and favorable water conditions enhance the growth of seaweeds in our region,” Musali added.

Data from BFAR-Armm also showed that the region has a total of 159,123 fishermen operating in the territorial water area under the region’s administrative jurisdiction.

The fishing grounds in the region include Illana Bay, Moro Gulf, Basilan Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

It was the second time the region topped in fishery production. In 2015, it produced 867,272 MT and 856,957.27 MT.

DBP earmarks P70B for programs in Armm

By Butch D. Enerio

THE Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) sees no impediment in the implementation of the development programs of government, particularly in Mindanao despite the whole island is under martial law.

DBP, which culminated its business roadshow last Friday, July 21, in Cagayan de Oro City as part of its year-long 70th anniversary celebration, assured that their uninterrupted years of public service will continue to support both the public and private business sectors in catalyzing national development.

DBP said that it has earmarked P70 billion for the various programs for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with the end-in-view for the region to keep pace with the neighboring areas’ economic growth. Part of the money will be used for the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged Marawi City where government troops are currently fighting a terrorist group.

“We at DBP is optimistic that our thrusts and programs will see its implementation here in Mindanao and elsewhere in the country as we have a good understanding of what the country needs and we have developed the programs to address these needs,” said Cecilia Borromeo, DBP president and chief executive officer. Borromeo said that Mindanao has many development potentials that have to be realized, and that DBP is seeking partnerships with public, as well as private sector investments, notwithstanding that branch banking services will also continue to provide financial services in areas that are considered unbankable.

“We dare to be present in communities not served by financial institutions, and we cannot be held hostage with isolated and temporary situations, such as the Marawi City siege in carrying out our mandated thrusts, and you could say that we are omnipresent in all economic sectors, in the key industries that promote inclusive growth and poverty reduction,” Borromeo said in an interview.

DBP’s total assets as of the end of second quarter this year was P526 billion, representing nine percent increase from P481.8 billion registered in the same period last year. Deposit level reached 344.4 billion. It posted an impressive net income of 2.65 billion in the second quarter. A significant 34 percent increase from the P1.98 billion in the same period in 2016.

DBP has introduced major development thrusts deliberately designed to respond to the strategic needs of the country’s economy. These thrusts are: to build the country’s infrastructure; promote entrepreneurship; advocate environmental management and protection; and enhancement of social services for all Filipinos across the archipelago.

Through DBP’s Sustainable Enterprises for Economic Development, or Seed program, has increased the contribution of micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sustainable economic development, that which enhanced their access to credit facilities and effectively responded to their funding needs with the alternative ways for them to secure loans. The MSMEs are also provided both credit and non-credit assistance in the form of specialized technical assistance in the areas of marketing, research and development, business advisory, and capability-building.

As of June 2017, a total of P713.33 million in loans have so far been released to 101 women entrepreneurs under DBP’s Inclusive Lending for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs.

Other development programs are DBP’s sustainable Agribusiness Financing Program where credit is available for production, harvesting, crop marketing, poultry, livestock and fishery; Tree Plantation and Financing Program-assistance for the expansion, harvesting, maintenance; and protection of existing tree plantation in qualified private and public land areas.

DBP has so far approved a total of P37.4 billion for its green financing program as of end June; P12.11 billion has been approved for the health sector; and P12.95 billion for real estate financing program; P7.43 billion for the educational fund program.

Armm cassava output up

(TPGJR/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 1 -- The Department of Agriculture and Food in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-Armm) on Tuesday announced that the cassava production in region has continued to increase with the growing domestic industrial demand.

Dr. Albert Usman, DAF-Armm cassava coordinator, said the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao are the top cassava producers in the autonomous region.

Usman said cassava harvested in these areas are sold mainly for industrial consumption while that in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi are generally used for food.

Usman further noted that cassava is considered as a crop with high economic potential that can have a significant contribution to Armm’s agricultural output.

Cassava is regarded as the third most important food crop in the tropics, after rice and corn. Valued by small-scale farmers for its tolerance to drought and infertile soil, the crop is essentially eco-efficient.

Armm is ranked second in the entire country in terms of cassava production with 16.9 percent of the national output based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority covering the first quarter of this year.

Northern Mindanao is on top among cassava-producing regions with 189.41 thousand metric tons harvest, or 32.1 percent of the national output. Cagayan Valley is third with 16.6%.

Usman emphasized that his office, through its Gender and Development (GAD) unit, has conducted a series of training sessions on cassava food processing in Talayan, Guindulungan and Sultan Mastura, towns in Maguindanao.

Usman said the training could expand the livelihood opportunities for residents in rural communities and at the same time boost the production of the crop in Armm.

Usman said the training focuses on improving the lives of less-favored sectors of the rural population by means of utilizing available farm crops, like cassava, which is abundant in the region’s agricultural areas.

He said he participants were taught how to make cassava cake, cassava jelly, cassava puto taktak, and other cassava-based products and delicacies.

The program also caters to the needs of the farmers such as giving machinery and cassava graters.

The training program attracted 148 active participants in the towns of Talayan, Guindulungan, as well as in Sultan Mastura.

The training program is currently implemented in the provinces of Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan.

GAD focal person Ramla Macatabang said the training is also geared at empowering women and youth to gain basic skills in cassava food processing for entrepreneurial activities, increase their productivity, and to improve family income.

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