Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News September 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.

Modern tech vs wanted persons, lawless elements

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Security measures in the city have improved with the acquisition of a high technology gadget that could identify lawless elements and wanted persons, officials said.

Officers and men of Joint Task Force Kutawato, a police-military unit tasked to ensure safety of city residents against lawless elements and crime offenders, including those involved in illegal drugs, are now equipped with Facial Recognition System (FRS).

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi personally turned over the equipment to Colonel Jesus Sarsagat, Task Force commander during simple ceremonies held at the unit’s headquarters.

The equipment is capable of identifying faces of law offenders, wanted terrorists and lawless elements when they are in the city or passing by Army and police checkpoints.

Present during the turnover ceremony were National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA-12) Director Everly Tajanlangit, 5th Special Forces Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel James Uri and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) Director Juvenal Azurin.

With the gadgets, Sayadi assured city residents the government is doing its best to ensure public safety.

A day earlier, the city government established five boat docks manned by JTFK personnel to monitor movement of lawless elements coming with people entering the city through several waterways.

Napocor lights up cultural festival in Tawi-Tawi

By Lenie Lectura

The National Power Corp. (Napocor) has commissioned two 105-kilowatt (kW) power-generating sets in the municipality of Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, in response to the local government unit’s appeal for immediate power for the hosting of the Kamahardikaan Festival.

“The request came a month before the weeklong celebration to give a more festive atmosphere to the annual festival of Tawi-Tawi,” said Yahcob Darayan of Napocor’s Western Mindanao Operations.

Darayan said a task force for the project was organized for faster facilitation of the transfer of spare calamity generating sets and transformer from Zamboanga City and from Napocor’s power facility in Siasi, Sulu.

“We then have to build temporary power house and personnel shelter for the equipment, while the construction for the actual power house and office in Languyan is still ongoing,” Darayan said.

The Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative Inc. also built a temporary structure to allow households to connect to its distribution line.

Napocor said the establishment of a power house and the supply, delivery and commissioning of two units of 200-kW generating sets for Languyan are ongoing. Once completed, it will initially give eight hours of power supply to its residents and will be adjusted accordingly to the demand.

Languyan is best known for its rich natural resources, both marine and forest. It thrives in mining, fishing and agriculture. Some of the best-known spots in the municipality are Sikullis Beach, Biddarili Water Falls and Tumunggol Beach.

Kamahardikaan, which means “to honor” in the dialect of Tawi-Tawi locals, is an event in the province that highlights its colorful culture through dances, songs and parades.

Catholic schools mull to share expertise with ARMM teachers

By ZEA IO MING C. CAPISTRANO (davaotoday.com)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The largest association of Catholic schools in the country is planning to tie up with schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to train Muslim teachers to improve their teaching techniques.

“We are trying to craft programs primarily in order to be able to help their teachers. We wish to share with them the techniques of good teaching to help them improve the standards of their teachers,” Joel Tabora, president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said in a press conference here on Wednesday, September 27.

The CEAP met with the officials of the Bureau of Madaris Education, ARMM’s Department of Education, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to start the discussion of the plan.

“We have many schools where we have experts in education and we would like to share our expertise to our brothers and sisters in Muslim areas who, many say, can use this expertise,” said Tabora, also the president of the Ateneo de Davao University.

The CEAP can share their expertise to Muslim teachers with many schools of education, he added.

Through its advocacy in education, Tabora said they hope to promote a dialogue of peace in the southern part of the country.

Currently, CEAP is now on the third year of its Madaris Volunteer Program, which sends graduates to teach in madrasah schools.

The program is a platform for “intercultural and interreligious dialogue” between Christians and Muslims, Tabora said.

“We are very happy to report that the response to this program coming from both sides has been very positive,” he said.

According to its website, the program currently has 10 partner madaris in Cotabato City and Maguindanao province including:

• Madrasatul Al-Shellawe, Inc., Limbo, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

• Ibn Taimiyah Foundation Academy Inc., Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

• Dar Al-Uloom Wal Hikmah, Tamontaka, Cotabato City

• Madrasah Datu Manguda Timan, Sitio Pangi, Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

• Hadji Ali Baganian Memorial School, Tambunan II, Talayan, Maguindanao

• Mohammad Bin Al-Dahirie Islamic Academy, Inc., Bagan, Guindulongan, Maguindanao

• Mahad Saada Al Arabie Integrated School, Nabalawag, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao

• Gani L. Abpi Colleges, Inc., Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao

• Markaz Al-Husaim, Inc., Poblacion, Datu Piang, Maguindanao

• Datu Ibrahim Pendatun Paglas III Foundation, Inc. Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao

The CEAP is in the city for its four-day national convention held at the SMX Convention in Lanang. Founded in 1941, the organization has 1,500 member schools across the country.

Moropreneur: Empowering small enterprises in Mindanao

By PAUL ICAMINA

COTABATO CITY - Internet-savvy and using the latest apps, a group of young “social entrepreneurs” are investing on highly bankable resources: people.

The group set up The Moropreneur, Inc. as a “humanitarian, community-based micro-enterprise” to establish cooperatives that will develop indigenouss commodities into high-quality, value-added products.

For starters, 900 of the poorest of the poor villagers, two barangays each in 10 towns of Maguindanao province are involved in micro enterprises. “We train and capacitate entrepreneurs,” said Morsheda Yu Hashim, a marketing analyst with the start-up that’s putting its time and talent on one of the country’s poorest regions, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In 2015, Maguindanao was ranked 4th among the poorest provinces in the country, with more than half of the people in poverty. That is, five in every 10 households lived below the minimum income required to meet basic food needs and other non-food requirements such as clothing, housing, transportation, health and education. In 2012, a family of five needed about P5,513 a month to meet these needs and P2,377 to pay for non-food needs.

To keep current, Moropreneur conducted a baseline study last April; it will help design entrepreneurial and skills-based trainings in the 10 barangays and beyond. “Documented and reliable information and data sources are often limited in conflict-affected areas of ARMM,” said Moropreneur founding chair and executive director Selahuddin Yu Hashim.

To ensure quality, accurate and faster collection of data, Maisalam K. Tahir, TMI Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation officer, used the KoBoCollect app in conducting the survey. The app is based on the OpenDataKit used for primary data collection in humanitarian emergencies and challenging environments on the ground.

“The baseline study is critical to enhance the quality of information needed to effectively design the series of capacity building activities and the establishment of community-based micro-enterprises,” said Tahir.

For example, the survey found out that about seven in 10 of households in one of the communities, the fishing village of Badak in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, have an average income of P100 to P150 a day. Through the surveys, women, youth and children were also consulted, saidMorsheda, adding Moropreneur’s advocacy is to strengthen people’s capacity in innovative solutions that advance human rights, economic growth and social well-being.

The impact of recurring armed conflicts, natural disasters and political turmoil on a community’s economic and social conditions is devastating. Oftentimes, children and youth are forced to skip schooling, families live in fragile shelters, persons with disabilities experience further depressing conditions, saidMoropreneur in its website. Women, the youth and children become more vulnerable to protection issues.

Most refugees and evacuees, even if they return, have difficulty restoring their lives because of the lost and limited opportunities.

Moropreneur’s advocacy is for the Bangsamoro, indigenous peoples and settlers, especially women, the youth and the disabled, by supporting micro-enterprises increase income and gain more access to basic services. It trains villagers on basic entrepreneurship such as financial accountability, how to start up a business, budgeting, marketing and savings.

It has started with 10 barangays: Kurentem and Badak (Datu Odin Sinsuat town); Kakar and Katidtuan (Sultan Kudarat); Buayan and Kanguan (DatuPiang); Romongaob and Kuya (South Upi); and Madia and Elian (Datu Saudi Ampatuan).

Its ANGAT DAPAT Livelihood Projects involve 900 women, youth and the disabled in these villages. ANGAT DAPAT stands for All-iNclusive Growth Activities Towards Development and Poverty Alleviation.

In partnership with Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) Philippines, IRW-Australia, Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry, Moropreneur was established last year to engage poor villagers in agri-business based on climate resilient agriculture, and by producing high-value products out of resources available.

So far, products include coco sugar, corn coffee, nutria cookies and corn polvoron. “We innovate on our products, said Morsheda, pointing to the tinagtag, a Maguindanao delicacy made of rice flour mixed with sugar and fried until crisp. Or making spicy tinapas, another crunchy sweet delicacy. Morsheda, as market analyst, finds the market for the products.

Soldiers win hearts and minds with mobile kitchens in Lanao

By Keith Bacongco

Balo-I, Lanao del Norte – While their brothers in arms were engaged in a fierce firefight against the terrorists holed up in Marawi City, another group of Philippine Army soldiers took to a different type of warfare: winning the hearts and minds of the civilians.

Instead of assault rifles, this unit was armed with ladles, knives, cooking utensils, microphones and information materials.

On a sunny Tuesday morning of Sept. 19, two KM450 military trucks ferried about 20 soldiers to an evacuation center situated beside a barangay hall.

As the soldiers disembarked from the vehicles, smiles were on the faces of the internally displaced people (IDPs) who had fled Marawi City, their home. Even the assault rifles they carried did not seem to bother the villagers, who helped the troopers unload huge cooking pots, a liquefied petroleum gas tank, baskets of vegetables and few bags of rice.

For about three months now, this is what the Civil Military Operations Regiment of the Philippine Army has been doing –providing health-care programs, moral recovery for adults and psychosocial interventions for children and meals from the mobile kitchen.

At least 250 soldiers belonging to the CMO Regiment have been deployed to initiate non-combat activities following the conflict in Marawi City.

Guns to ladles

In this non-combat activity, rifles were substituted with ladles and knives, while battle uniforms were replaced with aprons.

Under a makeshift tent, the soldiers started peeling sweet potatoes, boiling water and chopping garlic and onions. In a little while, four Maranao women began to help the soldiers peel the sweet potatoes for the vegetable stew.

At another part of the camp, two soldiers, armed with scissors and razors, gave free haircut to the male evacuees.

Mobile kitchen

Maj. Jeffrex Molina, of chief of public affairs of Task Force Tabang, told Manila Bulletin that they conceptualized the mobile kitchen to provide hot meals to at least 78 evacuation centers – 43 evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur, 34 in Lanao del Norte and one in Misamis Occidental.

The CMO is part of the joint Task Force Tabang, which aims to rebuild the embattled city.

“Under the mobile kitchen project, the CMO personnel provide hot meals to the evacuees. The mobile kitchen project is supported by the Marawi City government since these evacuees are their constituents,” Molina said.

While the meals are being prepared, some soldiers initiate parlor games for the children. After every event, the soldiers gave school supplies and other food items.

Not an easy task

Molina admitted that extending services to the evacuees is not an easy task, saying they have to extend their services to all the evacuation centers.

“The first two weeks of our deployment were the most difficult because the evacuees were not used to interact with us. There were instances that our soldiers were being humiliated by the evacuees. This task requires a lot of patience,” he said.

In Barangay Lumbaca Toros in Saguiaran town of Lanao del Sur, Capt. Rommel Panganiban said it is fulfilling to see what they accomplish each day.

“Mas masarap mapagod ng ganito pagkatapos ng buong araw na trabaho,” said Panganiban, who spent about a decade in the infantry before joining the CMO Regiment.

Special request

While they are grateful for the hot meals being prepared by the soldiers, 57-year old Anisa Panimba admitted to Manila Bulletin that they are already missing their native delicacies.

“Sana yung mga pagkaing Maranao naman. O di kaya adobong manok, bihon, mga pritong tilapia at may palapa. Nami-miss na rin naming kainin ang mga lutong Maranaw,” pleaded Panimba, a fruit vendor back in Marawi City.

She added that they are willing to teach the soldiers prepare Maranao cuisine.

Soldier, social worker

While the soldiers are preparing the vegetable stew, a group of adult males gathered beside the makeshift kitchen.

Panganiban set up a 40-inch TV for film screening on the ongoing conflict in Marawi.

After about 10 minutes, the CMO officer stood before the evacuees and explained the current situation in Marawi.

Moreover, Panganiban also urged them to prevent their children from joining a terror group. “Magkano lang yang P20,000 na ibabayad para sumali sa kanila, hayaan natin silang maging bata.”

Molina explained that these are just among the many tasks the CMO Regiment, whose personnel were specially trained aside from undergoing basic military training.

Molina said they are now doing what the humanitarian organizations are doing in times of crisis, thus, making the soldiers CMO Regiment as the “social workers” of the Philippine Army.

Army cites troops for honesty

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The Army here rendered a snappy salute to two infantrymen for their honesty that brings honor to the organization.

On Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division based in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, cited Private PFC Pol William Patarata and militiaman Ronnie Delfin, both of 38th Infantry “We clear” Battalion for honesty, according to Capt. Arvin John Encinas.

Encinas, 6th ID spokesperson, said the two both received certificate of appreciation for returning more than PHP120,000 cash and checks they found on a roadside in Cotabato City last week.

Patarata and Delfin were on board a motorbike traversing Lorenzo Street in Cotabato City when they found the passbook at the roadside. It was owned by couple Roger and Jovie Changco.

The cash amounting to PHP20,000 was inserted in the passbook along with a PHP9,000 worth of check. The passbook has P100,000 cash deposit.

Undecided where to bring the money, the two brought it to the division headquarters and turned them over to their superiors who in turn contacted the owners.

“I am guided by our division commander’s reminders that we soldiers must do good all the time,” Patarata, 24, said.

Delfin, on the other hand, said he was brought up by his parents not to claim what is not his. “Hindi po sa amin ang pera, kailanman di magiging amin ito at nararapat lang na isauli sa tunay na may-ari (The money was not ours, it will never be ours and we know it deserved to be returned to the owners),” he said.

“I awarded them with cash rewards as recognition for their honesty,” Dela Vega said in a TV interview. “Other soldiers should emulate what the two had done,” he added.

ARMM hosts 2017 National Science and Technology Week

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

COTABATO CITY: The Department of Science and Technology of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) holds a three-day celebration of the 2017 National Science and Technology Week with technology exhibits at the town gymnasium of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao.

Students from Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy can now benefit from Starbooks, the first Philippine science digital library, established by the DOST-ARMM there.

The town is also the recipient of Project DEWS, or Deployment of Early Warning System, a device that will provide a six hour lead-time warning to vulnerable communities against impending floods, according to DOST-ARMM Secretary Myra Mangkabung.

With the theme “Science for People,” the celebration highlights the significant contributions, innovations, and breakthroughs of science and technology on the lives of the Filipinos toward a holistic countryside development.

DTI-ARMM launches social enterprise in poorest of the poor region

By Aika Rey (Rappler.com)

DTI-ARMM Secretary Anwar Malang says he wants to promote programs that will be sustainable given the current situation in the region

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) launched on Monday, September 18, a social enterprise division to promote entrepreneurship in the resource-rich but "poorest of the poor region" of the country.

DTI-ARMM Secretary Anwar Malang said he wanted to promote programs that would be sustainable given the current situation in the region.

"ARMM is still the poorest of poor region. We have the poorest of the poor province. We have all the resources. But why? Political issues. The Bangsamoro issue is not yet settled up until now," said Malang.

According to the secretary, social entrepreneurship is a paradigm shift from the usual programs of the government. (READ: Giving back to the poor: Why social enterprises matter)

"All programs of the government are 'dole outs.' What does that mean for the people? They don't care much. They don't see it as capital," he said.

He said that one business locals can invest in is the Halal market given that ARMM is composed mostly of Muslims.

Malang is hopeful that through the social enterprise, Mindanaoans will find a way to move out of poverty.

"If we achieve freedom from hunger, then maybe we can empower our people," he said.

Rebuild Marawi

For a Maranao, Solaiman Matonding of the Metro Marawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that social entrepreneurship could be a way to rebuild the city.

"Important ang kabuhayan. Kung merong program para magkaron ng gana ang mga tao, mabuti. Kasi sa Marawi, nasira lahat. Pano ibalik 'yon? We really need help financially and a guide for us," Matonding said. (Livelihood is important. If there is a program that will bring the motivation among people, better. In Marawi, everything was torn down.)

"Nasira 'yung buhay mo, kailangan merong gumising para magising ang mga tao at ma-motivate," he added. (If your life was broken, you need something to wake people up and that motivates them.)

Matonding said that the programs can come in once Marawi is in rehabilitation phase.

Last May, fighting erupted between government forces and local terrorist groups. The incident led President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in all of Mindanao. (READ: Why martial law is not the solution to Mindanao's woes)

The most populous city in ARMM, Marawi City was now a ghost town due to the war. (READ: The final push: Inside the Marawi battle area)

"Maranaos are industrious people. They will survive," he said.

Ideation camp

Apart from the new division, the department also launched an "ideation camp" that aims to crowdsource programs that can be implemented in the region.

DTI-ARMM in partnership with British Council under the under the European Union-funded Strengthening Civil Society Participation in Social Enterprise Education and Development (CSO-SEED) launched "Local Changes: Ideas to Impact" contest which would ask applicants to submit a proposal to address a social problem.

British Council's Head of Society Angel Flores said that it's high time to ask the communities what kind of changes the locals wanted to see.

"The ideation camp is asking communities to determine the changes they want to see in their own community. What we are trying to do here is to get ideas from them," she said.

Flores said social enterprises are usually in the metropolitan areas. "Those who were left behind don't get support from an innovative program," she said.

Applications opened on Monday. Flores said the camp is set to happen in November.

"The young people in the (ARMM) region should be the new breed of entrepreneurs," she said.

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, 4 out of top 5 poorest regions in the Philippines are in Mindanao.

Poverty incidence in ARMM is at 59%, double the national average of 26.3%.

Maguindanao helps parents of beleaguered OFWs

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

BULUAN, Maguindanao -- The Maguindanao provincial government has extended livelihood assistance to two families whose breadwinners are awaiting execution in Saudi Arabia.

Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu told parents of Guiara Abdullah and Warda Mintang, both overseas Filipino workers, that the government is not abandoning them.

“This is the government’s assistance to you so that you will earn a living,” Mangudadatu told the beleaguered parents Wednesday after he handed over to them a pair of cattle for breeding and fattening projects.

Abdullah’s mother said her daughter was wrongly accused of killing another Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia while the parents of Mintang said she was convicted for killing her Saudi employer who tried to rape her.

Mangudadatu said his administration has a comprehensive anti-human trafficking initiative by providing alternate livelihood assistance to Maguindanaons who were victims of illegal recruitment.

Other victims and parents of “Trafficking in Person” (TIP) have been earning a decent living out of the livelihood assistance provided by the provincial government, Mangudadatu said.

Some of them are now producing the iconic “Inaul” cloth ready for sale not only in Maguindanao but in other areas, especially in Manila. Mangudadatu said orders for the famous Maguindanao cloth (Inaul) are pouring in to the benefit of Maguindanao women engaged in cloth production. During the program that included “Inaul” exhibit, Mangudadatu also handed over PHP50,000 worth of food cart for rescued TIP victims.

“This is your government working for you, you can put up a variety store so you have fixed income,” Mangudadatu told the beneficiaries.

The assistance program was in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM).

ARMM youth agency brings play about the Bangsamoro to Manila

(Business World)

THEATER Mas Mabigat Ang Liwanag Sa Kalungkitan Presented by the UP Repertory Company and Ang Teatro ng Timog Silangang Asya Sept. 15-17

Teatro Marikina, corner of Shoe Ave. and V. Gomez St., Barangay Sta. Elena, Marikina City

HOW DOES the conflict in the Bangsamoro shape the country’s history, and how does it affect the lives of the youth?

These are pressing questions given current conditions, and Rogelio Braga’s play, Mas Mabigat Ang Liwanag Sa Kalungkitan, seeks to help Filipinos figure out the answers for themselves, while helping them navigate the Bangsamoro’s history and their struggle for self-determination.

Liwanag revolves around Bangsamoro youth whose lives have been touched by conflict in different ways — some find love in unexpected places, some leave home in search of a better future, while some join revolutionary groups to carry on their people’s struggle.

The play, which was once staged in a limited run back in 2015, is now being brought back to the stage with the help of the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA). Members of the UP Repertory Company and Ang Teatro ng Timog Silangang Asya (ATISA) will breathe new life to Braga’s work, guided by the vision of award-winning actor and director Manuel Mesina III.

OBYA’s executive director, Amir Mawallil, says that mounting the play once again and making it available to a bigger audience has been a long time coming.

“We really believe in this story, because this is our story. It is about our own lives and struggle, and Ogie (Braga) tells it as it is. There is no agenda here other than the truth,” Mr. Mawallil said.

And Mr. Mawallil’s trust is far from misplaced. Mr. Braga has spent years doing research on the Bangsamoro and writing about what he has learned in the process. His voice has found an audience among those who seek honest and uncompromising storytelling when it comes to a narrative that is often oversimplified and misrepresented in Philippine discourse.

There will be an 8 p.m. show on Sept. 15, and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances on Sept. 16 and 17. For ticket inquiries, text or call Michelle Timaan at 0916-398-1149.

New anti-poverty project launched in Lanao, Marawi

By John Unson (philstar.com)

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — Officials are optimistic a government poverty alleviation project fit to the peculiar socio-economic settings in Moro areas will help restore normalcy in Lanao del Sur and in Marawi City.

The Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (BRIDGE) Program of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is a community-driven, anti-poverty initiative aimed at providing beneficiary-communities with water, sanitation, food, shelter and electricity.

Ten of the 39 towns in Lanao del Sur, whose capital is Marawi City, are ARMM-BRIDGE target areas.

The ARMM-BRIDGE is supported by different regional line agencies, among them the public works, health and social welfare departments under Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

Hataman’s public works secretary, engineer Don Loong, is directly involved in the implementation of the program in Lanao del Sur and in other provinces of the autonomous region.

The 10 Lanao del Sur towns benefiting from the ARMM-BRIDGE, Piagapo, Kapai, Lumba-Bayabao, Bacolod-Kalawi, Lumbayanague, Lumbaca-Unayan, Marogong, Butig, Sultan Damalundong and Sultan Gumander, are predominantly Maranao areas. Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

It was in Butig, a hinterland town in the first district of Lanao del Sur, where the Maute terror group first emerged in 2014, founded by siblings Omar and Abdullah Maute.

Regional officials are certain the “apat na dapat” focus of the ARMM-BRIDGE, the delivery of four basic needs in impoverished areas in the ten towns — water, food, power and shelter — will improve peace and order in the recipient-communities.

Violent religious extremists, or VREs, use poverty and underdevelopment as talking points in inciting public animosity to the government.

Radical Imams who speak for outlawed militant groups are eloquent in using poor governance as pitch in rallying people to support their religious cause.

The implementation of the ARMM-BRIDGE project in Lanao del Sur is not even halfway when Maute terrorists laid siege to Marawi City on May 23, sparking hostilities that have since dragged on.

Hataman said on Saturday that the regional government will maximize its implementation of the ARMM-BRIDGE in Lanao del Sur to hasten the restoration of normalcy in the province, affected badly by the conflict in Marawi City.

A Maranao lawmaker, assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the 24-seat ARMM Regional Assembly, said on Saturday that they will support the implementation of the ARMM-BRIDGE in the province.

“This program can help boost our efforts to address socio-economic problems brought about by the trouble in Marawi City,” said Adiong, spokesman of the Lanao del Sur provincial crisis management committee.

The crisis committee, overseeing relief and rehabilitation thrusts for some 300,000 people displaced by the hostilities in Marawi City, is being assisted by the ARMM government’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team.

Congress Oks ARMM 2018 budget

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – In less than three minutes, the House of Representatives approved the 33.469 billion budget of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for 2018. The proposed budget was sponsored by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte’s 1st. district.

In behalf of the minority, Rep. Anthony Bravo of COOP NATCCO party-list moved to terminate the interpellation of the ARMM budget in the plenary as soon as the budget was brought to the floor for discussion. The motion was quickly followed by an expression of support from the majority.

“On behalf of the majority, we join the minority in closing the period of debate on the proposed budget of the ARMM, said Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc of the 4th district of Pampanga.

Despite the joint motion, Rep. Shernee Tan of Kusug Tausug, insisted on her objection to the termination of debate regarding the ARMM budget. Given Tan’s objection, Bondoc moved to divide the house, during which the “ayes” decisively drowned out the “nays.”

It was this vocal support from both the majority and the minority that led to the passage of the ARMM budget in the House of Representatives. “We are proud of what we have accomplished in the ARMM and we have answered all queries sufficiently during the pre-plenary hearings. The house has shown yet again that it trusts the regional government,” said Gov. Mujiv Hataman as he received news of the ARMM budget approval.

“We thank our fellow public servants in the House of Representatives for their support, and we extend our gratitude most especially to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, to the majority floor leader, Cong. Farinas, and Cong. Dimaporo who has always been a voice for the Bangsamoro,” Hataman added.

ARMM joins HK Belt and Road Summit

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional cabinet economic cluster joined the Belt and Road Summit, the second sponsored by the Hong Kong government on Monday.

This after the Department of Trade and Industry–Board of Investment Undersecretary and Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo announced that the ASEAN have formally agreed upon a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the sidelines of ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Manila. The signing ceremony of the FTA will be in November during the ASEAN Summit in Manila.

The event, with theme “From Vision to Action,” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was attended by Regional Board of Investments chairman Ishak Mastura, and the ARMM regional secretaries Don Loong, public works; Kahal Kedtag, natural resources; Alexander Alonto, agriculture; Myra Ali, science & technology; Jann Jakilan, labor & employment and Baintan Ampatuan, Regional Planning & Development Office executive director.

The Belt and Road Initiative of China or One Belt, One Road (OBOR), is China’s most ambitious geo-economic cooperation initiative that seeks to integrate the world economy more through building connectivity. Mastura said that ARMM has a comparative advantage in going through Hong Kong in facilitating investments and projects in ARMM under OBOR having both autonomous status.

ARMM donates rice to troops

By Bong Garcia

THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has donated 100 sacks of rice to the soldiers deployed in Marawi City, a top military official announced.

Brigadier General Rolando Joselito Baustista, Joint Task Force Marawi commander, said the donated sacks of rice were received around 11 a.m. Saturday by the Joint Task Group Ayuda, the unit in charge of logistical goods and supplies.

Bautista said the bags of rice were brought on Sunday to the different units inside the main battle area of Marawi City.

“We are very thankful for the continuing support we are receiving from the benevolent heart of ARMM,” Bautista said.

“Rest assured that our troops will be more motivated to do their duties with all these kindness we are receiving from our fellow government organization,” he added.

Meanwhile, the letters of support and chocolates sent by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)-Zamboanga Chapter were received by the troops in the main battle area of Marawi City.

The goodies and art works brought renewed vigor and added motivation to the troops as the fighting enters its 110th day.

“It is so heartwarming to know that these young boys are well aware of the sacrifices our soldiers are doing here in Marawi,” Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said.

Galvez said the ARMM and the BSP are only some of the so many organizations who have sent their love and support to the troops.

Australian businesses to invest in ARMM

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has attracted Australian businesses wanting to invest in the region, a high ARMM official said on Wednesday adding that this is a vote of confidence despite the ongoing Marawi crisis.

The good prospect for Australian investments in ARMM came after its Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) joined in the recent Philippine Investment Mission and Roadshow to Australia led by the Board of Investments (BOI)–Manila under its Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP).

The PIPP serves as the BOI’s investment programming platform and is composed of all investment promotion agencies.

The agencies made a pitch to Australian investors in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on the second week of August.

“The interest of Australian businessmen to invest in the ARMM is a clear vote of confidence in the stability of the region despite the ongoing Marawi crisis, which the security sector has effectively confined and contained in a small area,” said ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman as he congratulated RBOI-ARMM.

In his letter to lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI-ARMM chairman and managing head, Eduard Alcordo, president of the Australia Philippines Business Council, wrote of at least four prospective Australian investments in the ARMM: real estate, milk processing or dairy plant, renewable electricity generation and green coal and poultry or chicken processing for export.

Australia is one of the biggest official development assistance donors to the ARMM funding in particular the region’s basic education needs.

Recently, Australia also offered to train Philippine soldiers in urban warfare in view of the terrain of Marawi City, which used to be the ARMM’s largest city. Australia is the only other country aside from the United States, that has signed a Status of Forces Agreement with the Philippines.

The Australian government wants to help prevent Marawi City and its environs from becoming a safe haven for native transnational violent extremists returning to the region from the wars in Syria and Iraq.

The Sama tribe: They who live in peace at sea

By Cristina E. Alivio

SAMA tribe is known for their quiet ways that centers around the family. They live simply, away from trouble.

“Sama people is ayaw nila ng gulo, we always discuss things out,” Sama Deputy Mayor Estrellita T. Mahamud said.

Their peace-loving being manifests when families of the same Sama tribe fight. “Always sila naniniwala at sumusunod kung ano ang sinasabi ng leader o ng Imam nila. After that wala na’ng away, unlike in other tribes,” she said, hinting about ridos or clan wars that are caused by holding grudges among fighting families that some tribes still practice.

In the information found at the Museo Dabaweyo, Sama tribe is divided into sub-groups according to the name of their coastal settlement or the places where they originally settled, such as Sama Simunul, Sama Balimbing, Sama Tawi-Tawi, Sama Sibutu, and Sama Ubian.

There wasn’t any Sama Badjaos then, but historically speaking, according to Mahamud, the Sama Tawi-Tawi were praying inside a mosque. Then chaos came because someone saw fishes swimming in large groups in the sea. Some Sama Tawi-Tawi people went outside to look at this rare event, and these people were not able to finish the prayer inside the mosque. These people are now being called Sama Di Laut. While those who stayed to finish the prayer are the Sama De Liya. This made the Sama tribe classified into two: the Sama De Liya or those found in the mainland or coastland and the Sama Di Laut or the group found at sea, which we call now as Badjaos.

Sama are not full-fledged Muslims, they are the people in between, many following Pentecostal churches, but they are bound by one common thing in the lives: the sea. Traditionally, Badjaos don’t settle on land, they live at sea in their boats or vintas. Although some say Sama Tawi-Tawi is the same as Sama Di Laut, but Mahamud said only five percent of the Sama Tawi-Tawi are Badjaos.

Badjaos in Davao City We often see them begging on the streets; mothers bringing with them their small babies just to earn sympathy and alms from passersby. But little by little, this incidence has become less and less of an occurrence.

Mahamud credits this to past local administration. She said then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte called her to his office one day and asked her how many Badjao people are living in the city. When she gave him the number, then city mayor Duterte told her to find leaders of each Badjao community in the city so that there would be one person to monitor each community. These leaders help to educate the Badjaos not to beg on the streets because it also brings danger not only to them but to their young children. They also conduct regularly lectures or seminars for the Badjao to earn their own keep. Aside from educating their people, the leaders also made sure that Badjaos register at the city registrar’s office.

Preserving Sama’s culture and tradition

Currently, there is an estimated 12,000 Sama people in Davao City, including the Badjaos. Mahamud said every there’s an occasion for all the Sama people to converge, like the Hariraya, they also conduct cultural preservation education among the Sama young. With this, the culture of the Sama tribe will not fade even when living among the different tribes in the big city. “We, the older ones, also bring to the consciousness of the young our traditional clothes, practices and even rituals so that they will grow proud of being a Sama,” she said.

Maguindanao launches program for children with special needs

By John Unson (philstar.com)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — The provincial government has pioneered a continuing intervention program for special children and their caregivers.

The office of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu held at the capitol in Buluan town from August 29 to 31 a workshop on early interventions for children with special needs.

The activity involved more than a hundred special children, caretakers and parents as part of an effort to generate public consciousness on interventions essential to the full assimilation into mainstream society of “special kids” from Maguindanao’s 36 towns.

The project, bankrolled with a grant from the provincial government, was organized by the Maguindanao People’s Medical Team.

The team is operating under the joint control of Mangudadatu and his chief budget aide, Lynette Estandarte.

“We are thankful to all those who helped make the activity become successful,” Estandarte said on Saturday.

The special children who participated in the workshop were from Maguindanao’s Muslim, Christian and Lumad communities.

North Upi Mayor Ramon Piang, a chieftain in Maguindanao’s non-Muslim Teduray highland community, said his administration will support the provincial government’s intervention program for special children.

Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, concurrent social welfare secretary of ARMM, also pledged to help push the program forward.

Maguindanao is a component province of ARMM.

Parents and caregivers of children who joined the workshop were lectured by experts on techniques on how to improve the learning capacity of “special kids.”

Estandarte said they intend to embark on another workshop after an evaluation of the progress of children who participated in their three-day activity in Buluan town.

ICRC helps trace Marawi missing persons

By Bong Garcia

THE International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has launched an online page to help trace missing persons due to the fighting in Marawi City.

The ICRC website page supplements existing tracing services such as the 12 PRC welfare desks in evacuation centers in Marawi and Iligan cities. The information shared by families with the Red Cross remains confidential.

The ICRC said in a statement that they received 402 tracing request, 179 of which are still being looked into since the beginning of the conflict in Marawi.

The fighting broke out when Maute group members went berserk and occupied several establishments after government troops raided the hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis).

The Isis-inspired Maute group is providing protection to Hapilon, who fled to evade pursuing troops in Basilan province.

“It has been more than three months since fighting broke out in Marawi City, in Lanao del Sur province, but for families whose loved ones are still missing, the wait seems never-ending,” the ICRC said.

“On the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared (30 August), the ICRC wishes to draws attention to the plight of these families and stresses that people have a right to know what happened to their missing relatives.”

Camilla Matteucci, head of the ICRC team working with the PRC to reunite families in the Philippines, said there are many possible causes of separation during a conflict situation.

“People could be trapped by the fighting, detained or even killed. They could be in an evacuation center but not have the means to contact their kin. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that families have a right to know what has happened to their loved ones, and wherever possible, be reunited with them. Our tracing website offers a platform for people to share information about their missing relatives and request our help in tracing them,” Matteucci said.

Reuniting families in times of conflict or disaster is a key service that is always provided by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The ICRC and the PRC have been providing technical and material support to help the authorities manage dead bodies in Marawi City.

The PRC has provided psycho-social support to more than 10,400 people, including children, affected by the conflict.

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