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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Marawi entrepreneurs get financing help

By Roy Stephen C. Canivel (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Small Business Corp., the microfinancing entity of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has given P6.17 million worth of loans to hundreds of entrepreneurs from the war-torn city of Marawi.

In a statement, DTI said that SB Corp. continued to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) and uniformed personnel— including their families—who were either killed or wounded during the five-month Marawi conflict last year.

“We are giving our commitment to the IDPs that the administration of President Duterte will continue to seek ways in providing business and livelihood opportunities to help them and Marawi recover,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

As of Oct. 21, SB Corp. has provided livelihood assistance to 422 Maranao entrepreneurs with total loans amounting to P6.16 million through the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program.

P3, a financing program expected to put loan sharks out of business, gives MSMEs access to more affordable credit.

Beneficiaries have availed themselves of loans ranging from P10,000 to P20,000. SB Corp. has earmarked P50 million in loans for Marawi.

The financial assistance to Marawi entrepreneurs followed Administrative Order No. 03, which created an inter-agency task force for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities.

Curfew remains in effect in Cotabato during 'Undas'

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Curfew hours are still in effect during the observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in this city.

Senior Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police director, said visiting relatives at cemeteries, particularly on Nov. 2, could not spend overnight at the city’s public, Catholic, and Chinese cemeteries as they would be held liable for violation of the “discipline hour”.

The discipline hour is a city ordinance setting forth 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. as curfew hours across the city.

“As usual, nobody is exempted from the measure, except for cases of emergency that might occur in the middle of the night,” Octavio said.

The police official said everybody should vacate the premises of the cemeteries and be at their homes as early as 10 p.m. as soon as they hear the curfew warning siren across the city.

“This is for the safety of everyone,” Octavio said.

The city government has maintained the curfew since May last year, shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law due to the Marawi siege instigated by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terror groups.

The city government passed Ordinance 4529 or the “Discipline Hour Ordinance” in support of the Mindanao-wide martial law that has been proven effective in neutralizing lawless elements operating in the city.

This developed as the city government also strengthened its city-wide, nighttime “Ronda Patrol” that requires the city police force, Army support groups, and barangay force multipliers, to scour the interiors of the city’s 36 villages for law violators.

Moreover, Octavio said the implementation of the “No ID, No Entry” policy here would still be upheld even during the period of "Undas" activities that would run up to November 4.

China offers to help develop Mindanao, reconstruct Marawi

By Antonio Colina IV

DAVAO CITY – The Chinese government vowed to help in the development of Mindanao, including infrastructure, connectivity, efficient power, and even in the reconstruction of conflict-stricken Marawi City.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yimade the statement during a joint press conference with newly-appointed Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao Monday.

He expressed confidence that Mindanao will become an important link in the China-Philippines cooperation.

Wang bragged about China’s technology and capability in power generation and signified interest in providing the Philippines with technology, personnel, training, expertise, and financial resources to develop power facilities from various sources such as thermal, hydro, solar, wind, and even nuclear power.

Chinese companies, he said had been extending help to Latin America and Africa to resolve energy issues and sees no why it cannot give a helping hand to the Philippines,he called “our close neighbor and good friend.”

He noted the importance of energy, the driving force for the country’s development and industrialization, as China had encountered similar power challenges when it was just developing.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said China is ready for an anti-terrorism cooperation with the Philippines and vowed to take an active part in achieving lasting peace in the island, even in the post conflict reconstruction of the Marawi, the country’s lone Islamic City that was destroyed by five months of battling Islamic State-inspired militants.

“China is ready for counter terrorism cooperation with Philippines, take an active part in post conflict reconstruction in Marawi so that the local communities will again enjoy a peaceful and tranquil life,” he said.

Wang said China was among the first countries to provide aid when the battle of Marawierupted in May last year, providing the military with artillery and equipment to weed out terrorists. China also provided some 200 million renminbiyuan(P1.54 billion) for the post-conflict reconstruction.

Railway system

Wang vowed that China will help Mindanao, particularly Davao City, the hometown of President Duterte develop a railway system.

“We will take an active part in the construction of Mindanao railway and help improve the internal connectivity of the Mindanao region,” he added.

He said they will assist Davao with the construction of bridges, railways, and expressways.

“We look forward to further increasing interactions between Mindanao and China, so that the development potentials of this region will be further unleashed and act as new momentum for friendship between China and Philippines,” he said.

Wang arrived in the city on Sunday and graced the opening of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao.

Australian ambassador visits Marawi tent city

By Riz P. Sunio

MARAWI CITY – Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely visited the Sarimanok Tent City Friday, October 26, as part of the Australian government’s support for the Marawi Recovery Project (MRP) and announced that Australia will increase its support to P975 million (AUD 25 million) to the Marawi rehabilitation efforts.

Gorely graced the ceremonial livelihood assistance handover to beneficiaries of the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) in Sarimanok Tent City on Friday.

Gorely handed over a refrigerator, coconut grater, sewing machine, four motorcycles, and two motorcycle sidecars to CFSI MRP’s beneficiaries.

After the handover, Gorely had a focus group discussion with some beneficiaries of the site and observed the psychosocial activities in the child-friendly space (CFS) in the area.

In her speech, Gorely said that she had wanted to visit Marawi before going back to Australia and had strongly requested to go to the city.

“We recognize the need to provide immediate solutions on longer terms to keep people safe and provide the opportunities to disengaged families to recover their economic independence,” Gorely said.

She also commended the resilience of the evacuees and the MRP’s efforts in providing psychosocial support and protection activities to the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

A statement released by the Australian Embassy also announced that Australia is going to fund school feeding for 50,000 children and food assistance for families displaced from Marawi, education and child protection activities to support children affected by the conflict; and provide technical assistance to Task Force Bangon Marawi for recovery and reconstruction efforts.

CFSI is the grant manager of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s P97.5-million (AUD 2.5 million) support for MRP, with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a sub-grantee.

As of October 26, CFSI is supporting 134 families in the Sarimanok Tent City and has already distributed 100 livelihood support while 34 more are about to be given. About 439 individuals are also assisted to be issued with certificates of live birth.

Aside from the Sarimanok Tent City, MRP is also proving protection, livelihood, psychosocial support to evacuation, transitory and Kambalingan sites in Barangays Bito Buadi Itowa, Buadi Sacayo, Sagonsongan, Papandayan, and Guimba.

CFSI has so far identified 521 beneficiaries and has been able to distribute 299 livelihood support, while 222 are set to receive similar support.

MRP aims to promote protection, and the psychosocial and economic recovery of at least 4,000 households (20,000 persons) displaced by the Marawi Crisis. Part of CFSI’s economic recovery efforts are the livelihood support given to the most vulnerable and persons with special needs.

ICC-CABCOM okays 2 Marawi rehab, 5 infra projects

(NEDA PR)

MANILA — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) approved on Thursday two projects for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

These include the Rehabilitation and Development Plan (RDP) for a Greater Marawi – Stage 2, as well as the proposed programs and projects under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (BMCRRP), for possible official development assistance (ODA) financing.

The RDP for Greater Marawi provides a viable solution for the rebuilding of Marawi City by fully utilizing the capability of various infrastructure projects as catalysts of redevelopment. RDP for a Greater Marawi–Stage 2, under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), involves the following sub-projects:

• Construction of 2-lane Marawi Transcendental Road, Phase 3 (23.90km)

• Construction of 2-lane Malabang Viaduct (1.6km)

• Implementation of five (5) sub-projects under the BMCRRP, namely: Construction of a Main Outlet Drainage System, Rehabilitation/Improvement of Beyaba Damag Open Channel, Construction of Slope Protection Works along Marawi-Bito Road, Construction of Main Drainage Outlet Bangon-Luksadatu Lake Lanao Phase II, Construction of Permanent Rorogagus Bridge

The RDP – Stage 2, whixh is expected to be completed by 2022, has an estimated project cost of PhP6,515.6 million and will be funded through official development assistance.

The ICC-CabCom also approved the list of programs and projects under the BMCRRP for possible ODA financing, with a total cost of PHP3.451 billion.

These include programs and projects in land resource management, social services, physical infrastructure, livelihood and business development implemented by the National Government or support Local Government-implemented projects, and the construction of classrooms for permanent resettlement sites, in view of land-related issues arising from the Marawi siege.

Meanwhile, the ICC-CabCom also approved the fourth phase of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP), executed by the DPWH, that will put in place flood management infrastructure (i.e., dikes, revetments, floodgates) along the 8 km stretch of the Lower/Middle Marikina River, and construction of the Marikina Control Gate Structure.

The project will cost PHP33,097.58 million and funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Committee also approved an increase in cost for the third phase of the same project to PHP9,028.84 million from PHP7,545.16 million, due to necessary additional civil works, including dredging works, to implement the project.

The project covers the 5.4 km stretch of the Lower Marikina River, as well as the 9.9 km remaining sections between Delpan Bridge and Napindan Channel covered under the second phase of the PMRCIP.

On the other hand, the ICC-CabCom approved the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao that will construct, rehabilitate, and improve the 178.43 km road network in ARMM and its neighboring regions.

The project, which the DPWH aims to finish by 2024, has an estimated project cost of PHP13,420.19 million and is proposed to be funded through a loan from JICA.

Lastly, the ICC-CabCom approved in principle the New Clark City High Performance Gymnasium and Sports Museum Project of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

The project will feature five floors of indoor and outdoor facilities for sports medicine and sports science that will complement the internationally certified sports facilities built at the Phase 1 of the National Government Administrative Center.

The project will cost approximately PHP1.6 billion and will be funded through a grant from the People’s Republic of China.

Model Yakan village in Cotabato City an inspiration for Basilan residents

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Residents of Basilan want the model Yakan village here duplicated in their island province as symbol of the province's desire to bounce back from conflicts and underdevelopment.

The model Yakan, Tausug, Maguindanao, Sama and Maranaw villages inside the 32-hectare regional capitol here of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were built as showcases of the diversity of the peoples in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Barangay captains from Lamitan City, capital of Basilan, hosted this week the activities in the Yakan village, which is open to the public daily.

The barangay officials told reporters Saturday they want a similar model village built in Basilan province, which is seeing renewed interest from investors.

Even Vice President Leni Robredo, who was here Thursday, was amazed at the model villages that she toured along with regional officials led by ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

The designated chieftain of the Yakan model village is Laisa Masuhud-Alamia, a nurse and lawyer who is executive secretary of the ARMM government.

Robredo said ARMM residents should continue helping push the southern Mindanao peace process forward for normalcy to spread through the region’s five provinces—Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

ARMM’s Muslim, Christian and Lumad residents are main stakeholders to the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Robredo said good governance will complement efforts to address the nagging security problems in areas of the autonomous region.

Robredo cited as example the improvements in peace and order in Basilan that were brought by efficient governance there.

"Based on conversations with Basilan residents, the level of satisfaction is high. Hopes are high too that there are peaceful and good days for them ahead," Robredo told reporters at the ARMM capitol. Infrastructure development in Basilan

She said the infrastructure projects implemented in Basilan by the current ARMM administration in recent years had ushered in improvements in the area’s security and economy.

Lamitan City barangay officials who helped oversee this week the construction of the Yakan village said putting up model Yakan, Tausug and Sama villages in Basilan will help educate outsiders on how the three communities and their Christian neighbors are together working for peace to reign in the province.

While the Yakan people comprise the majority in Basilan, the island province is also home to Tausug, Sama and non-Muslim residents such as Zamboangueños and Visayan settlers from the nearby Zamboanga peninsula.

Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said Saturday there are many scenic areas in their 45 barangays where model villages can be established.

Among the potential sites for the model villages is the immediate periphery of the provincial ARMM government center being constructed by the office of Hataman in Barangay Santa Clara in Lamitan City.

“We have a reformist and visionary ARMM governor who is likely to give attention to our wish. We, in Lamitan City, are ready to help him put up one,” Furigay said.

Gov. Hataman running for Congress

Furigay said the participation of the city's barangay officials in managing the activities this week of the Yakan model village was also to manifest support for Hataman's candidacy for congressional representative of the lone district of Basilan.

Hataman is running for a seat in congress in the May 2019 elections. He said the move is meant to pave the way for a smooth transition from the present regional government to a transitory MILF-led government for a new region that will replace the ARMM.

The enabling measure for ARMM's replacement with a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM—the Bangsamoro Organic Law—will be ratified in a plebiscite on January 21 next year.

The referendum, to be administered by the Commission on Elections, will seal the fate of the BOL, which is the product of years of peace negotiations.

“He (Hataman) will do a homecoming after serving as ARMM governor for six years and that is something we are so happy about,” Furigay said.

Hataman, who first ventured into politics as Anak Mindanao party-list representative almost two decades ago, hails from Sumisip town in Basilan.

Youth groups receive cash for peace-building programs in Mindanao

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo awarded here Thursday 10 youth groups P25,000 cash each in support of their peace-bulding programs addressing violent religious extremism.

The selection of the 10 organizations, from among 28, was premised on extensive assessments initiated during a prior Angat Buhay Summit facilitated jointly by the Office of the Vice President and the executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In a statement, the Bureau of Public Information-ARMM said it was the United States embassy that provided for the cash awards Robredo released to the 10 peace-advocacy groups.

The US Embassy is a key benefactor of the Angat Buhay program of Robredo’s office.

The office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman augmented the monetary grants with additional P25,000 cash for each of the 10 youth groups.

The counterpart support from the ARMM government was to complement the expansion of their peace-building projects in the five provinces of the autonomous region --- Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The Hataman administration is a staunch supporter of the efforts of the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to put a negotiated closure to the now five-decade secessionist conflict in the country’s south.

In a message, Robredo said it is important to capacitate and empower the region’s youth sector to become efficient in governance and in propagating harmony among southerners.

The youth summit preceding Thursday’s engagement here of Robredo was organized jointly by her office, theYoung Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, the United Voices for Peace Network Inc., the ARMM Development Academy and the regional government’s Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs.

Robredo lauded the ARMM leadership for is continuing effort to involve the region’s youth sector in governance and in fostering peace and development in the autonomous region.

The four-day youth summit here was aimed at generating ideas on comprehensive and inclusive community-based peace-building initiatives among participants.

The Angat Buhay program of Robredo’s office is focused on providing local sectors, including the nation’s youth, ample opportunities to engage in collaborative community development initiatives needed to address issues besetting Filipino communities.

While in Cotabato City, Robredo toured the ARMM government’s model ethnic villages depicting the cultural pluralism among the southern Maguindanaon, Maranaw, Iranun, Teduray, Yakan, Tausug and Samah communities.

The mock villages were established by Hataman’s o

ARMM youths rallied to help achieve peace

By Raymund Antonio

Vice President Leni Robredo hopes the youth from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would embark on projects that will help bring lasting peace Mindanao.

Robredo led the awarding ceremony Thursday for the top 10 project proposals at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

Her office gathered members of 28 youth organizations from ARMM provinces for the Angat Buhay Youth Summit held in the city from October 21 to 25 to pitch projects that will promote peace and counter violent extremism in their communities.

Robredo acknowledged the efforts of youth participants, who mostly live in conflict-affected areas, for crafting innovative project proposals.

“You can use your youth to find lasting peace here in Mindanao,” she said.

“That is the mindset that we want to cultivate here—to turn limitations into opportunities—and that is what you did over the past four days,” Robredo said.

A youth arts organization called Okir University Arts Club from Lanao del Sur was named the grand winner at the Angat Buhay Youth Summit in ARMM.

The youth group won this year’s summit for its proposal to hold an art therapy workshop, known as Teaching Artistry Learning Advocacy or TALA, for school children who survived the Marawi City siege.

The group will participate in the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange (APYE) in Seoul, South Korea, in August next year.

The Okir Arts Club and the other nine winners will receive seed funds of P50,000 each—P25,000 from the United States Embassy’s small grants program and the other half from the office of ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, who was also present during the awarding.

For this summit, the Office of the Vice President partnered with the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs, the US Embassy, and the ARMM Development Academy and United Voices for Peace Network.

Youth participants had workshops to equip them with proper knowledge on violent extremism, religion, community sensitivities, as well as the on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

They were also trained to better design, market and implement projects in preparation for the pitching competition held a day before the awarding ceremony.

DTI continues livelihood aid to Marawi folks

By Kris Crismundo (PNA)

MANILA -- Over a year after the guns fell silent in Marawi City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to provide livelihood assistance for families and individuals whose lives were turned upside down by the months-long fighting.

In a statement Wednesday, the Small Business (SB) Corp. said disbursement of the PHP100-million budget for livelihood assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and beneficiaries of wounded and killed government troops continue.

SB Corp., DTI’s financing arm, earmarked PHP50 million each for IDPs and government troops wounded and killed in action.

Data from the SB Corp. showed that as of Oct.21, it rolled out some PHP6.16 million to 422 Maranao entrepreneurs as loans under the Pondo sa Pag-asenso at Pagbabago or the P3 Program.

Maranao entrepreneurs were able to secure loans amounting to between PHP10,000 and PHP20,000 each to rebuild their businesses.

For beneficiaries of crippled and fallen troops, SB Corp. released a total of PHP16.53 million in P3 loans. Each beneficiary was able to get loans of between PHP40,000 and PHP100,000.

Under the P3 for Marawi victims, the DTI provided a special loan term with no yield among the borrowers.

“Access to zero-interest microfinancing is very important to entrepreneurs who are starting as well as those expanding their businesses. With the business seminars offered by DTI and the loan packages by SB Corp. for the affected families and residents, we’re speeding up the recovery of the city,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

“We are giving our commitment to the IDPs that the administration of President Duterte will continue to seek ways in providing business and livelihood opportunities to help them and Marawi recover,” he added.

30 MW power plant project to rise in Lanao del Sur

By Meanne Rosales

One diesel-fueled power plant and one renewable energy facility generating a total of 10 to 30 MW of electricity is set to be built in Lanao del Sur.

The P 2 billion-worth venture was approved after Frontier Power Technologies and Allied Service and Nepodragon Power Enterprises signed an agreement with the Sultanate of Marawi at the Mindanao State University on Wednesday.

Sultan Subair Mustapha represented the Sultanate’s decision to provide security and the three-hectare property in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.

Nepodragon General Manager Engr. Ryan Nepomuceno said their power generation project will be through Retail Competition Open Access (RCO), allowing “contestable customers”– those whose peak demand fall within a set threshold – to choose their electricity supplier.

Construction of the said power plants will start next year.

“Our role is simply to provide additional power. It will still be LASURECO (Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative) that will collect the payments,” Nepomuceno told Manila Bulletin at the MOA signing.

As representative of the Meranaw people, Sultan Mustapha said the Royal Sultanate is committed to supporting the project by engaging local officials to fast-track its implementation.

He also added that providing Marawi and its neighboring areas better access to electricity is the project’s primary goal.

“(I am) looking for a greener pasture for the people of Marawi, like helping provide additional electricity,” the Sultan said.

SSS Basilan offers free on-site mobile UMID data capture

By Nilda T. Delos Reyes (ALT/RVC/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – The Social Security System (SSS) Basilan Branch has offered three days free on-site mobile UMID data capture in Lamitan City on October 16–18, held at Mindanao Autonomous College Foundation Inc.

The activity was conducted to help Lamiteños and other SSS members in the neighboring municipalities who wish to apply for Unified Multi-purpose ID (UMID) Card.

SSS Branch Information Officer Marnellie Pastorfide said that members with at least one posted SSS contribution can apply for the UMID card. Members who applied will receive their UMID cards through registered mail. The member’s initial ID card is free of charge.

She emphasized that SSS on-site mobile capture services is part of their programs to bring SSS closer to their members. This was actually their first on-site mobile data capture conducted in Basilan.

The SSS said the three days activity resulted to the processing of 172 members’ application for UMID. SSS is also looking forward to another schedule since there are still 220 members’ applications from Lamitan which need processing and identification capturing.

SSS also announced earlier during the PIA regular radio program “NIM” Noticias Informaccion con Musica at DXNO Radyo Komunidad that their Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) with penalty condonation was extended for another six months or until April 1, 2019. The LRP is one of their agency’s ways to extend assistance to their members who were not able to pay their loan obligations with the SSS on time.

Moreover, more good news for SSS members was also announced to include the SSS Pension Loan Program for qualified SSS retiree pensioners and the revised payment deadlines for contributions for 2018. #SulitsaSSS

Hundreds benefit from Army-led medical mission in Maguindanao

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A total of 427 villagers benefitted from a two-day medical-dental mission conducted by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and partners inside this camp in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, over the weekend.

Major Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6ID, said the successful Oct. 19-20 health outreach program was realized together with the Maguindanao provincial medical team, and the Cotabato Regional Medical Center personnel as partners, among others.

“The 6ID only planned for a one-day medical activity but was somehow extended the next day due to the request of the people coming from Barangay Awang and other nearby villages,” Encinas said.

He said 353 and 74 patients benefitted from medical checkup and tooth extraction, respectively.

Military personnel, candidate soldiers, and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical also voluntarily donated blood that reached a total of 256 bags (115, 200 cc) collected.

Encinas said the activity forms part of the 6ID’s commemoration this month of its 31st founding anniversary.

Cotabato among PH’s most business-friendly cities for 2018

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – This city has been recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as among the Top 10 Most Business-Friendly Cities in the Philippines for 2018, and for being the only first-class city to receive a special citation this year.

“The city was given a special citation for assuring business sector growth and confidence by supplementing national government efforts to reduce prohibited drug abuse, criminality and efficient streamlining of business processes,” Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said Friday.

Sayadi said the partnership between the local government and the business sector has also resulted in a 38-percent increase in the number of new business enterprises in the locality.

The mayor received the PPCI awards during the 44th Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel on October 18.

“These awards are for all of us Cotabateños. We all deserve it because we worked together for the common good,” Sayadi said.

She said the awards reflect the city’s commitment to implement good governance reforms to promote trade and investments, employment, transparency, accountability and efficiency in delivering business services to fuel inclusive growth.

“It’s an honor to receive these awards because it simply tells us that Cotabato City has become one of the business hubs in the country,” Sayadi said.

Among the factors that made the city business-friendly are its campaign against red tape, improved peace and order that developed business confidence, effective one-stop shop business permit and licensing scheme, courtesy and speed lane for pregnant women, senior citizens and differently-abled persons getting equal access in processing business permits.

ARMM boosts organic farming promotion

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has demonstrated its all-out support to organic farming through the 3rd Organic Agriculture Congress here, which was attended by more than 400 farmers, agricultural extension workers, students, and other stakeholders from October 17 to 19.

Alexander Alonto, secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)-ARMM, said the event aims to further strengthen the advocacy and promotion of organic agriculture in the region.

He said it is a good venue for farmers and other agricultural stakeholders to be informed about organic food production, modern farming methods, and business opportunities related to organic farming.

“We are really boosting the organic agriculture program in the region in order to attain over-all agricultural growth and development,” Alonto said, adding that the activity will also be a platform to address issues concerning organic farming.

Organic farming enriches the fertility of soil, increases farm productivity, reduces destruction of the environment, and protects the health of farmers and consumers, he noted.

Pheparassan Macapodi, 52, a female farmer from Lanao del Sur, said he and his co-farmers have stopped using chemical fertilizers and pesticides on their farms since 2015 through their continuing knowledge of organic farming methods.

“I am encouraging other farmers who still use chemicals to shift to organic farming and see for yourselves its benefits on your lands,” she said in the vernacular.

Macapodi, who was among some farmers who were presented awards for good agricultural practices, bagged the most outstanding farmer recognition in the individual category and received PHP50,000 from the regional government.

With the anticipated transition of the ARMM to the new Bangsamoro entity, Alonto said the regional government is confident that the farmers will continue to apply the best organic agriculture practices leading to the development and advancement of the region’s organic farming industry.

On Thursday, the DAF-ARMM also opened a trade fair showcasing fresh produce and processed organic products from the different area-components of the region.

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

3,000 Cotabato City students join Global Handwashing Day

By Gil Acosta Lao (LBG, GMA News)

COTABATO CITY — Some 3,000 students from the Notre Dame Village National High School joined the city government-initiated simultaneous observance of the Global Handwashing Day, held at the People's Palace grounds and the city plaza.

Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said thousands of youths and adults joined last Wednesday's citywide activity in line with the global cleanliness and healthy lifestyle advocacy.

"We started at around 7 a.m. This handwashing activity is in partnership with the Department of Education 12, UNICEF, and the Rotary Clubs of Cotabato East, Cotabato and Cotabato City South," said Guiani-Sayadi, stressing the importance of personal hygiene for a healthier community.

Global Handwashing Day 2018 was simultaneously observed on October 15, Monday with the theme, “Clean hands: A recipe for health.”

DepEd ARMM pays tribute to teachers

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) paid tribute to the region’s teachers during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

This year’s observance has become more meaningful for hundreds of teachers in the region whose lives were in danger for several months last year.

When the war in Marawi erupted in 2017, schools inside the city had to shut down and living in and near conflict areas have become very risky.

For Mona Miscille Domato, 38, the saying “Teachers are the students’ second parents” hit her hard during the Marawi siege.

As a teacher of Sugod Central Elementary School in Marawi, Mona recounts the effects of the siege for her and her students.

“Schools were closed down during the siege, but I urged my fellow teachers to continue our classes. If the students will be left home, their minds may be corrupted by the war," she said.

True enough, almost every student talked about the number of bombs that dropped in the city daily.

A mother of nine children, Mona said she treats her students as her own. During the siege, she also felt the pain her students manifested. “Many of my students were hungry and helpless. I also felt the hunger and the pain of these children," she said.

Instead of being pulled down by negativity, she took the situation as an inspiration to serve as the students’ second mother.

Continuing their classes despite the siege to provide safe spaces for children, she turned their classrooms into a ‘fun zone,’ allowing her students to talk about the ongoing war casually.

“It allowed us to process all our thoughts. Having an all-Muslim class, we also reflected on the teachings of Islam – that inflicting harm to others is not Islamic,” she said.

By providing a space where students can be ‘afraid’ together, she also found a strong sense of family. “We made a strong support system among ourselves,” she further said.

Now that the war in Marawi is over, she is thankful that her students no longer have to be afraid of their security.

She said that the student population in Sugod Central Elementary School grew this school year because of the influx of children of evacuees from other villages.

“Mas madami na ang mga anak ko ngayon (I have more children now.) I’m more inspired to teach now because despite what happened last year, we remained strong as a community. That’s the key to teaching, when you treat your students as your own, you stand by them through their ups and downs. You become excited for their future,” she said.

A teacher for 16 years, Mona is proud to have produced professionals from her former students.

“My heart is full everyday knowing that the students I have today will give back to our community in the future,” she added.

MMC donates rural health center, facilities to Marawi

By Lady Jean L. Kabagani (LJKabagani/PIA ICCC)

MARAWI CITY (PIA ICCC) -- Makati Medical Center Foundation, in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Marawi City Government will construct a rural health center in Barangay Sagonsongan in this city.

According to 549 Engineering Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Jonjie Juguilon of the Joint Task Group Builders (JTG Builders), the rural health center will be equipped with a complete community package of facilities including mosque, school and provide health and medical services to the displaced communities of the Marawi siege.

"The rural health center is basically intended to provide services to the residents residing at the temporary shelters in Barangay Sagonsongan," Juguilon said.

The project of the Makati Medical Center Foundation will also provide for the complete medical equipment and training component for medical professionals who will be manning the said center.

The military officer also said that AFP is committed to help in the realization of the project, noting that the military engineering brigade will immediately work on the construction of the rural health center right after the concreting of the development site.

LGU-Marawi City will take charge of the preparations of ground work for the construction of the center.

The rural health facility is expected to be completed by next month,

“It will take around three weeks to construct the building,” Juguilon stated.

Juguilon expressed optimism on the essence of the health project that will give health services and medical treatment to the residents who are in need most affected by the armed-conflict in Marawi.

“We are not just doing this para lang sa isang mission pero talagang it's a personal conviction naming, parang personal battle namin na talagang we should be sincere in helping the people in Marawi”, he said.

He also assured the residents of the related services from the military troops.

"Hanggang may nangangailangan, tutulong tayo. Kaya, at your service across the land yung commitment naming at hindi matatapos sa rehabilitasyon ang serbisyo natin, mahaba pa ito, hangga’t hindi pa tayo nakakapag-create ng environment that is conducive to economic growth. That's the ultimate goal ng philippine army”, he added.

DTI-ARMM wraps up regional ‘Negosyo’ summit

(PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) successfully wrapped up a three-day Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Konsyumer (TNKK) summit here that gave emphasis to the smart and proper investment of money.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, DTI-ARMM regional secretary, said the summit, which coincided with October’s celebration of Consumer Welfare Month, also focused on consumer protection and business promotion.

The October 9-11 summit, held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the ARMM in this city, was participated in by some 500 regional business leaders, ARMM employees, and other stakeholders.

Malang underscored the significance of the event to ARMM employees, who will be affected by the transition to a new Bangsamoro region.

“I am sure this will help employees who might be displaced once the new regional government assumes office,” Malang said, referring to the incoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that will replace the current ARMM.

During the first day of the summit, Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Consumer Act, Price Act, Suggested Retail Price, Senior Citizens Act, Franchise Business Opportunities and fair trade-related laws were adequately covered.

On the second day, Sustainable Business and Financial Empowerment sessions were held, including education on the new currency facilitated by members of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

Opportunities were discussed on the last day of the event, through the industry cluster, including those in the coconut, coffee, and abaca industries.

Jahara Ngindig, 33, an employee of the region’s Interior and Local Government department, said the lectures were helpful, especially so that she is among those who will be affected when the new government comes in.

“It taught us how to effectively use a capital for investment,” Ngindig said.

Other parallel activities were conducted simultaneously during the three-day summit. These include jobs fair, skills and training seminars, and business and educational fora.

ARMM completes 1,599 kilometers of roads

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said it has completed some 1,599 kilometers of roads in five provinces under it from 2012 to 2018.

Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways in ARMM showed 508.685 kms., or 22.075% of the target, are still ongoing as of September 14 this year and that some 183.382 kms., or 7.958%, are yet to be started.

The province of Lanao del Sur received the most number of road projects in the region as it registered a total of 335, followed by Maguindanao with 306, Sulu with 277, and Basilan and Tawi-Tawi with 247 and 173 respectively.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman said these initiatives will make the communities, especially in areas with security problems, feel the presence of the government. The ARMM’s infrastructure program, the governor said, directly promotes peace and development.

He said ARMM constituents will now have easy access to government’s services on transportation, health, trade and industry, agriculture and fishery, tourism, all considered vital in boosting the region’s economy.

The ARMM government has allocated over P35 billion for the implementation of these road projects during the last six years. Many of the road projects are located in conflict-affected and far-flung communities.

Comelec-ARMM exec urges candidates to file COCs early for 2019 polls

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Commission on Elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Comelec-ARMM) has called on individuals seeking elective posts in the region to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) early for the 2019 midterm polls.

Lawyer Ray Sumalipao, Comelec-ARMM director, said it would be ideal for candidates to submit their COCs promptly so that any problem that might arise may be addressed on time.

The poll body has set Oct. 11-17, 2018, excluding weekends, as the dates for the filing of COCs in connection with the 2019 national and local elections.

“I presume there will be no extension dates for filing of COCs since the printing of ballots will start immediately as scheduled,” Sumalipao said in a radio interview here Monday.

Sumalipao said the poll body is on track regarding its programs and schedules for the polls set on May 13, 2019.

“(The Comelec) will be printing more than 60 million ballots so there should be no room for errors,” he said.

Candidates for next year’s polls -- senatorial, congressional, governor, vice governor, members of the provincial board, city and town mayors, vice mayors and council member seats -- will only have six days to submit their COCs.

Sumalipao also reminded ARMM residents that the ongoing registration will no longer be extended.

“The continuing registration for plebiscite and midterm polls have only until September 29 to register,” he said.

On January 21, 2019, the poll body will administer the referendum for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to determine its new political composition that would comprise the current ARMM provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur, the cities of Lamitan and Marawi; six proposed towns in Lanao del Norte; 39 villages in North Cotabato, and also the anticipated inclusion of Cotabato City and Isabela City in Basilan.

The BOL is the enabling law for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro forged between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

ARMM's 32-million approved 2019 budget for peace projects

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The transition bloc to oversee the switch from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the Bangsamoro entity will have P32 billion worth of operating funds to start with in 2019.

Lawyer Laisa Masuhud-Alamia, executive secretary of ARMM, said Saturday the House of Representatives approved last Thursday without interpellation the region’s proposed P32 billion 2019 budget.

“That was a clear tap on our shoulders, an acknowledgment of our dedication to build peace and development in the autonomous region,” she said.

The amount is earmarked for the operation and salaries of personnel of line agencies and support offices under the ARMM regional government.

A big chunk of it shall also be spent for infrastructure projects and programs meant to boost the socio-economic growth of ARMM’s local Muslim, Christian and Lumad communities.

Alamia and ARMM’s chief executive, Gov. Mujiv Hataman, led the panel that defended in plenary deliberation the region’s proposed P32 billion 2019 budget.

Hataman said they are expecting the transition from ARMM to the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, to begin in early 2019.

The Commission on Elections shall administer on Jan. 21, 2019 the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The BOL is the enabling measure for the ARMM’s replacement with a Bangsamoro government, to be managed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The creation of BARMM through the BOL is based on two compacts between Malacañang and the MILF, the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro, and, subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.

The two agreements are products of 19 years of tedious peace talks focused on putting a diplomatic closure to the Moro secessionist issue hounding southern Philippines since the early 1970s.

The BOL has a provision obliging the national government to allocate no less than P50 billion worth of yearly block grant for the peace and development initiatives of the MILF-led Bangsamoro government.

“We are thankful to the house of Representatives for approving the 2019 budget of ARMM without interpellation. The MILF leadership will have something to start with once it gets to the helm of BARMM,” Hataman, now in his second term as regional governor, told reporters on Saturday.

State auditors said Saturday besides ARMM’s fiscal and manpower complements, the Hataman administration shall also turn over to the incoming BARMM about P20 billion worth of infrastructure projects it accomplished in the past six years.

The projects include more than a thousand kilometers of farm-to-market roads, seaports, school buildings, agricultural post-harvest facilities and core shelters for impoverished families.

A matrix obtained from government auditors indicated that Hataman and his public works secretary, engineer Don Loong, also provided the eight District Engineering Offices in the region with no less than P1 billion worth of road building equipment in the past six years as capacity-building program empowering DEOs, in the forefront of implementing infrastructure projects in the five provinces of the autonomous region.

The figurehead of MILF, Hadji Murad Ebrahim, will lead as designated chief minister the Bangsamoro entity during its pioneering stage, pending the election of its regular set of officials.

Murad and senior MILF leaders had themselves listed as voters last week by the Comelec in preparation for the January 21 BOL referendum, to be held in ARMM’s Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and in certain towns and barangays in Region 10 and in Region 12.

“We will not only turn over whatever state funds there are in the coffers of ARMM agencies. We shall campaign for a `yes’ vote during the plebiscite as well,” Hataman said.

AFP declares Marawi special village polls generally successful

By Wilnard L. Bacelonia (PIA ICCC)

MARAWI CITY (PIA ICCC) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) considered Marawi City special barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections a success after how many years of threats and violence in the city.

The voting started at 7 am and ended at 3 pm with no "failure of elections" recorded completing the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) target on the nationwide scale.

Major Palawan Miondas, Civil Military Operations officer of Philippine Army's 103rd Brigade explained that this special village polls in Marawi City is way too peaceful compared to the previous elections.

"There are small commotions, but we immediately contained the situation and the voting process continued smoothly," said Miondas.

The COMELEC, Department of Education (DepEd) and the security forces also made sure that every Marawi IDP can freely practice their "right to suffrage" by placing voting precincts on Sagonsongan transitional site, Roro Gagos Elementary School and Bito Elementary School for the 24 barangays that are included on the most affected area (MAA) of the Marawi siege.

"We are under the Martial law and the full force of Philippine National Police is here with us. We'll always be here until the election process ends," Miondas assured.

Meanwhile, Marawi City Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte admitted there are some teachers who refused to serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

"We have to replace them because they have family ties with candidates but we did not come to a point that we have to replace them with PNP personnel," Unte added.

Barangay officials' role on Kambisita II

The Joint Task Force Ranao (JTFR) is also looking forward on the declaration of the newly elected barangay and SK officials from MAA who are expected to play an important role on the ongoing and future plans of the government for the 24 barangays in MAA.

"After this election, we will gather the newly elected village leaders from MAA to help us implement Kambisita II," Col. Romeo Brawner, JTFR deputy commander said.

JTFR also deployed army personnel on every polling precinct and tasked mobile troops to monitor other voting centers.

Bangsamoro youth leaders commit to peace-building

(OPAPP PR)

COTABATO CITY -- Youth leaders and peace advocates committed to build a culture of peace in the Bangsamoro region during the three-day "MasterPEACE: Bangsamoro Youth Model Parliament” that concluded here Saturday.

"We want to contribute (to) the Bangsamoro once it is established so that the legislators can see that the youth have a place in all this," said 22-year-old Bryan Gonzales, a member of the National Society of Parliamentarians (NPS).

Gonzales joined 80 other Bangsamoro youth leaders in manifesting their commitment to peace-building efforts.

“Ang maganda dito (summit), sa kabubuuan ng Bangsamoro region, represented ang lahat ng kabataan at naririnig ang kanilang boses (The good thing about this summit is that the youth sector of the entire Bangsamoro region is well-represented and their voices are heard)," he said.

The summit included a simulation program, in which the participants acted as district representatives, party representatives, and sectoral representatives under the prospective Bangsamoro Parliament.

The Bangsamoro youth discussed critical issues in peace-building as they crafted and deliberated on proposed bills at the committee level and plenary sessions.

"'Yung setup ng Bangsamoro Parliament is hard to facilitate because it is very different from Congress (The setup of the Bangsamoro Parliament is dificult to facilitate because it is very different from Congress),” Gonzales said. “At least dito nakikita namin kung ano 'yung mga pagkukulang, mga procedural issues na pwede ma-resolve, and mag-introduce ng reforms (At least in this simulation program, we can see which areas need improvement, what procedural issues need to be resolved, and what reforms we can introduce).”

One of the proposals made during the plenary session was the integration of conflict transformation and peace-building awareness through peace education in the Bangsamoro.

The proposed bills will be turned over to the Regional Legislative Assembly through Assemblywoman Irene P. Tillah.

During her remarks, Youth Peace Ambassador Farrah Ghodsinia encouraged her fellow youth leaders to be proactive in promulgating peace in their respective regions.

"They have to hear our voice and we have to make our voice known because this future community that we have, this future region, it is we who are going to live in it.

That is why we need to be active in achieving what we want to see," she said.

The "MasterPEACE: Bangsamoro Youth Model Parliament" is the third installment of the MasterPEACE series and is in line with the celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month every September.

It was spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, co-organized by the Democratic Leadership and Active Civil Society Empowerment (DELACSE) Bangsamoro, a European Union-funded project implemented by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines, and the Institute for Autonomy and Governance. It was done in partnership with the NPS.

Marawi's Darangen Dolls start anew

By Anna Gabrielle Cerezo (ABS-CBN News)

The conflict in Marawi City barely left its residents with anything apart from collapsed structures, bullet-ridden walls, and a pile of debris.

When the siege broke, hundreds of thousands were forced to abandon their homes empty-handed. Months after, the residents remain displaced as they come back only to see their house in ruins.

Among those displaced residents are Sainuddin Malawani Moti and his group of Maranao doll makers.

"Before the Marawi siege, we used to have a thriving business called Darangen Doll Shop," Moti recalled.

The famous Darangen Doll store was one of the many structures in Marawi that suffered extensive damage during the conflict.

"Everything was gone. My shop and collections included," the craftsman said.

Moti first created the unique dolls clad in traditional Maranao garments in 2011. At their peak, there were six pairs of hands working on the craft.

Today, only his sister remains.

The siege forced the group of Maranao dollmakers to seek refuge at the homes of their respective relatives. "They are in Lanao del Sur while we are currently staying at Iligan City in Lanao Norte," Moti explained.

"Although they no longer work for the shop, they still sometimes come by to visit and try to help," he added.

INSPIRED BY UKAY-UKAY

The Darangen Dolls' fame and success is attributed to their colorful garments, which have become the most widely known representation of customary Maranao attire.

According to Moti, each doll is crafted to inspire young Maranaos to embrance their rich and unique heritage.

"I created the dolls in our traditional attire to preserve our very own cultural royal regalia and to encourage our youth to be proud of our very elegant [attire]," he said.

In contrast to the class that Marawi's famous doll exudes, the idea was birthed from Moti's frequent trips to ukay-ukay shops.

"I always noticed files of flashy, glittering clothes from Malaysia and Brunei in volumes at ukay-ukays, so I thought of doing something to recycle it," Moti said.

"After several days of brainstorming, I came up to the idea of making dolls of our own traditional wear. Then it happened."

The Darangen Dolls are dressed in a colorful malong, known as landap, a distinctive Maranao clothing. The blouse is a long-sleeved pull-over bejeweled with glittering buttons.

The doll also sports a pinalot hairstyle, adorned by a headpiece called combong, giving the doll an elegant and regal look from head to toe.

Each Darangen Doll is patiently stitched and glued by hand. Moti believes his creations pay homage to the Maranao's rich culture, something the creator wishes to share with everyone, including those outside the Muslim community.

STARTING OVER

Moti has brought his dolls to many exhibits locally and abroad. In 2011, the Darangen Dolls won the Children's Choice Award, besting 75 other countries at the Prague Quadrennial Biennial Stage and Theatre Space Design Competition in Czech Republic.

However, the wrath of the conflict the Maute brought to Marawi paid no care to the Darangen Dolls' initiative and reduced the Maranao craftsmen's hard work to rubble.

"It was the unimaginable experience of a lifetime," Moti recalled, saying their escape from Marawi City in May last year felt like an apocalyptic movie scene.

"I felt fear. Fear of the Maute-ISIS presence in the street declaring war, fear of our male family members to be taken as new recruits, fear of the silence in the street of what used to be a busy avenue, and fear of the start of air strikes," he added.

Despite his worries, Moti made an effort to remain composed, saying he knew he had to take charge. He and his family hurriedly fled from their residence empty-handed, and came back home months later without a single thing to salvage.

This, however, did not stop Moti from continuing his mission to share Maranao's rich culture.

Thankfully, the business is picking up. While the shop is gone, the rare dolls can be purchased online.

"For a new start, it's survival. I trust the Almighty Allah for all the blessings," Moti declared.

DAF-Armm spikers rule

By ADAM B. MORRELL

THE Davao Optima-bannered Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-Armm) ruled the recently-concluded 5th Abreeza Kadayawan Open Volleyball Tournament held at the Abreeza Ayala Mall parking lot.

Veteran-laden DAF-Armm men's team unleashed vicious attacks against youthful Davao City National High School (DCNHS), 25-22, 25-12, in their finals clash to annex the men's division title.

DCNHS took the the silver while the University of Mindanao (UM) Davao settled for bronze after posting a 25-22, 25-12 win over Panabo City.

In the distaff side, 2015-2016 champion Davao Optima, now DAF-Armm, reclaimed the women's crown after surviving a 25-23, 29-27, 25-16 thriller against UM Davao.

UM Tagum, meanwhile, rolled past Philippine National Police Lady Patrollers, 25-15, 17-25, 25-19, to place third in the event organized by Abreeza Ayala Mall in partnership with the Balibolista de Dabaw.

Marawi Bond issuance possible by October, November

(PNA)

MANILA -- Issuance of the planned Marawi Bond may happen either in October or November this year once funding requirements have been finalized, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said.

In an interview at the sidelines of the budget hearing in the House of Representatives Monday, De Leon said date of issuance of the planned securities depends on when Bangon Marawi will submit its rehabilitation proposals and the necessary funding.

The government has allocated PHP10 billion under the 2018 national budget for the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.

Aside from this budget, the rehabilitation effort has also received funding commitments from other sources.

Earlier, it was reported that the rehabilitation would need around PHP60-80 billion, with the latter including the amount for compensation for those who lost their real properties.

“We’re just waiting for the amount that are needed for the projects to be set by Bangon Marawi,” De Leon said in Filipino, referring to the group established to spearhead the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City.

She said the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) has readied its system for the debt paper issuance, which would be in the form of Retail Treasury Bond (RTB).

“We are ready. We have the online system already in place,” she added.

ARMM, NTC launch radio communications' summit on disasters

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Pinning their hopes on the use of communication equipment in times of disasters, some 500 members of civic action groups and amateur radio clubs from across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) gathered here Friday to participate in the first-ever region-wide radio show summit.

ARMM's Regional Telecommunications Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) launched the Sept. 14-15 summit at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the ARMM in this city, amid inclement weather.

“We need to update ourselves on the use of communication equipment for coordination or systematic manner to better extend help to affected communities during disasters,” said ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, who is also concurrent head of the region’s social welfare department.

Representatives of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association lectured on the rules and regulations of using ham radio during emergency operations.

An exhibit of radio units, equipment, antennas, and other industry-related products was also showcased.

Alamia, a lawyer by profession, described the summit as “timely” amid the entry of Typhoon Ompong in the northern Philippines.

An update from the weather bureau said the typhoon had hit land in Baggao, Cagayan province in Luzon before dawn Saturday and is headed for Ilocos Norte.

“We have been monitoring this (typhoon) for two days now and what we have done at ARMM-HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team) is to coordinate with these radio clubs and civil action groups,” Alamia said.

“(We want you) ham users in communities to communicate with us anytime for us (through ARMM-HEART) to quickly respond to emergencies and humanitarian crisis,” Alamia said.

NTC directors Hamid Bayao of ARMM, Froilan Jamias of Region 12 (Soccsksargen), and Nelson Cañete of Region 11 (Davao Region) were all present to help facilitate the activity.

Capping the activity on Saturday is an NTC examination for amateur radio operators, where passers will be given the Radio Amateur Operator Certificate.

Para sure ang supply! Tawi-Tawi gov’t lauds proposal for establishment of rice trading center

By Noel Punzalan

The local government said that the recommendation of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol was a good news.

“Indeed, a long-term solution. A good news! Thank you Sec. Piñol!” the provincial government said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) chief has proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the establishment of a rice trading center in Tawi-Tawi to be supervised by the National Food Authority (NFA).

He made the proposal after Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi experienced high prices of rice recently.

According to Piñol, the strategy is expected to curb rice smuggling in southern Philippines as rice supply would be brought in legally by going through quarantine inspections, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and payment of tariffs.

He has said that the volume of rice to be imported should not exceed the total consumption requirements in the area which is about 200,000 metric tons every year.

ARMM’s pivotal role in Asean barter trade

By Nash B. Maulana

Cotabato City―The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao would be a significant economic factor to reviving the old barter trading with neighboring members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, officials said.

On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said his meeting with the administration’s economic managers would also delve on revival of barter trading, and enhance trade link with Sabah where rice price is comparatively low.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said inter-regional maritime trading in the south is an old tradition traced back from ancient barter trading, but which is viewed in modern times as a form of smuggling. Nash B. Maulana

Duterte said he would revive the old barter trading through which the country could import cheaper rice from Sabah. Exchanges of goods via inter-regional maritime trading have traditionally determined for the island provinces and neighboring territories their priorities in agricultural and fishery production since the pre-colonial era.

Statistics show that rice production is traditionally low in the country’s southern island provinces: It is pegged in Sulu at 1,914.25 metric tons (MT); in Tawi-Tawi at 582.40 (MT); and Basilan with 2,675.40 MT and these have hardly gained increase since 2015.

ARMM Regional Agriculture Secretary Alexander Alonto Jr. noted that the region’s 2017 rice production increased to 544,486 metric tons by 11.53 percent, and its aggregate area of production also marked a 9.56 percent increase to 212,927 hectares from the 2015 figures.

Sittie Anida Tomawis Limbona, administrative director of ARMM’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, said provincial databank should store the most updated agricultural statistics in aid of research and development (R and D) for the welfare of the incoming Bangsamoro in the ARMM government.

Hataman said 2016 statistics saw the region’s economic performance improving by 0.3 percent when it contributed 0.6 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

It was when the ARMM’s agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector shared 56.3 percent in the region’s output, indicating a 3.0 percent contraction, according to the CountryStat, a project of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Reports of alleged rice smuggling have prompted the Malaysian and Philippine authorities to check on shipment loads to and from coasts closely linked by sea transports along territorial waters of the Philippines and Malaysia.

Ferdinand Marcos in 1975 legalized minor maritime import-export economic activities with Labuan, Sandakan in Malaysia, and Singapore through the barter trading center in Zamboanga City.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said the island provinces should be required to develop a “rice production project with an initial 1,000 hectares as pilot area.”

Alonto on Wednesday said Tawi-Tawi had acquiesced to Secretary Piñol’s proposal, adding that reports from provincial agriculture offices also indicated that the other island provinces –Sulu and Basilan―had each committed 1,000 hectares in support of Secretary Piñol’s formula.

P20-M facility for Marawi health, rescue workers up for construction

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Health and rescue workers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will soon have a PHP20-million, three-story operations center in Marawi City.

Once completed, the building will house hundreds of health workers in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur province, as well as host the satellite office of the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) in the area.

On Wednesday, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman inked a memorandum of agreement for the construction of the building, and along with other officials, led its groundbreaking ceremony in Marawi.

“Creating a safe and high-quality health care environment will boost the passion of the health and rescue workers to provide sustainable and essential services to the regional government’s constituents,” the governor said.

Norkhalila Mambuay-Campong, head of ARMM’s Office of the Regional Governor, said the allotment for the project is taken from the special purpose fund of the region’s chief executive.

“Through the many years of existence of the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur, this is the first time that health workers in the area would have its own building to better serve the people,” said Dr. Alinader Minalang, Lanao del Sur provincial health officer.

Currently, health workers in Lanao del Sur are occupying a small space inside the Marawi City Hall.

Hataman said the ARMM-HEART Marawi satellite office, which will be accommodated in the same building, could provide quicker response during emergencies to Marawi City and municipalities in Lanao del Sur.

Lanao Sur town gets new P20-M public market

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The economy of Saguiaran is expected to get a shot in the arm with the completion of a PHP20-million public market built by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government.

“Saguiaran must rise up and move on,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said during the ceremonial turn over of the public market on Wednesday.

Saguiaran town is next to Marawi City and was equally affected when terrorists laid siege on the Islamic City in May last year.

The 1,200-sq. meter market, which has both wet and dry areas, caters to the displaced families who are rebuilding their lives. Saguiaran currently hosts almost a thousand families from neighboring Marawi City.

Saguiaran Mayor Macmod Muti said the establishment of a public market in his town will not just provide livelihood for internally displaced persons (IDPs) but will also resolve the vehicular traffic problem in the municipality.

“We really need this public market,” Muti said, adding that aside from providing a decent place for market vendors, it will also resolve traffic woes because there is now one marketplace that people would frequent, unlike before when stalls are scattered everywhere.

“We hosted thousands of IDPs from Marawi City who are still here. We respond to their needs by providing them with a marketplace so our economy is alive again,” he added.

In response, Hataman said the public market is just one of the projects of the regional government for Saguiaran as another one is coming.

“I told Mayor Muti to find a sizable lot area that can be developed for housing projects, commerce is very much alive here,” Hataman said.

During the event, the governor thanked two barangay chairmen for donating parts of their adjoining villages for the ARMM housing projects.

“Their gestures are acts of true Muslims, sharing for the less fortunate,” he said.

Hataman said the housing projects would prioritize families who remained in tents and in the town's gymnasium, who are trying to cope with deteriorating health conditions.

Gov’t extends aid to Maguindanao displaced families

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The local government of Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao, backed by the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, has extended emergency aid to some 150 families displaced by armed hostilities in the past four days.

Datu Abdullah Sangki Mayor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu said Wednesday the families from the interior barangay of Tukanalugong have fled to safer grounds due to harassment by armed men against a multi-national banana plantation operating in the area.

The displaced families, consisting of about 900 individuals, were given food packs and rice, courtesy of the local government.

Most of the displaced families were workers of Delinanas banana plantation who fled to safety upon sightings of the heavily armed men.

“Later, the gunmen engaged in a firefight,” the mayor said, adding that intermittent clashes between the two groups have been ongoing since Monday.

Members of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion accompanied the local disaster office in distributing assistance to the internally-displaced persons.

Mangudadatu earlier presided over the meeting of the municipal peace and order council, during which, local village officials were directed to immediately alert the local police and military authorities about the presence of armed men in their communities.

She assured the affected residents that the government is on top of the situation and that the police and military authorities are regularly assessing the situation.

Initial reports said the warring groups, whose leaders are yet to be identified, are fighting over parcels of land near the banana plantation.

PCSO opens office in Maguindanao

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

BULUAN, Maguindanao -- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) highlighted its opening of an office in Barangay Poblacion in this town Tuesday by extending medical assistance to indigent patients here and those coming from other parts of the province.

This capital town, situated in the southern tip of the province, is the hometown of Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

While here, charity workers led by PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan, also turned over a check worth PHP1 million as an endowment fund for the Buluan District Hospital, which intends to improve its health facilities, including the setting up of an intensive care unit.

“This is our way of helping indigent people of Maguindanao, (and) at the same time contribute to the government’s desire to address poverty and rebellion here,” Balutan said.

A former Marine general assigned in Maguindanao, Balutan said he personally saw the difficulty of poor families from remote areas of the province in availing of government health services, particularly those from the so-called SPMS box.

The SPMS box is a military term used on a particular set of areas where the terror group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters operate.

It comprises the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan town), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona, all in Maguindanao’s second district.

Health officials in Maguindanao have lauded the PCSO’s decision to put up an office here to facilitate medical assistance to indigent patients.

Campaign period for Marawi village polls starts Sept. 12

By Ferdinand Patinio (PNA)

MANILA -- The campaign period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Marawi City will start on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

In a statement Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said those who are participating in the village and youth polls have eight days from Sept. 12 until Sept. 20 to persuade voters to vote for them in the upcoming polls.

One barangay chairman and seven barangay kagawads will be elected on September 22.

Also, one SK chairman and seven SK kagawads will be elected during the scheduled polls.

A total of 79,289 total ballots will be used in the Marawi BSKE, 53,009 of which will be for village voters and 26,280 ballots for youth voters.

The election period began Aug. 17 and ends September 29.

Last May 14, the barangay and SK polls were held nationwide, except in Marawi City, which was torn by the five-month conflict between government troops and the Maute terrorist group.

Maguindanao guv conferred doctorate degrees

By Edwin Fernandez

COTABATO CITY -- The Royal Institution Singapore (RIS) on Friday conferred two honorary doctorate degrees on Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu for outstanding leadership in the field of governance.

The Maguindanao provincial information office said Mangudadatu received from the RIS the Doctor of Public Administration and Doctor of Humanities degrees during the organization’s 20th International Conference and Conferment Ceremony held at the KJC Hall, Jose Maria College in Davao City.

The RIS also accepted Mangudadatu as a Royal Institute Fellow in the same ceremony.

Anchored on the theme, “Toward Quality and Excellent Educators of the World”, conference organizers recognized Mangudadatu's "excellent leadership in Maguindanao, not only as a local executive but as an official giving primacy to education as a vehicle to social development."

In his speech, Mangudadatu said he has worked hard as a public servant to prove that a Moro leader like him can be a role model for his constituents.

"I strongly believe that education is a key to peace and development in Maguindanao,” said the governor, whose administration has sent more than 5,000 poor constituents to college through the provincial government’s flagship scholarship program. (PNA)

Tawi-Tawi gets P940-M nickel mining project

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The Regional Board of Investments of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM) on Thursday approved the registration of Mina Vida De Mindanao Corporation’s P940.5 million nickel mining investment in Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, an ARMM official said on Friday.

Ishak Mastura, chairman and managing head of RBOI-ARMM, said that with this registration, the ARMM has achieved more than 100 percent of its investment target of P2.1 billion for 2018.

The project was endorsed by the ARMM Department of Environment and Natural Resources for registration.

Mina Vida’s non-pioneer registration did not give the project any fiscal incentives; instead, it will only entitle the firm to avail of reduced duties for importation of capital equipment in case they apply within a limited period of time per the guidelines from the national BOI.

The project will employ at least 500 people mostly from the locality of Tawi-Tawi.

On top of national taxes the ARMM levies a five percent regional wealth tax for mining in the region.

Mastura said that for this year, RBOI has registered total investments of P2.2 billion with the bulk of investments in agriculture.

It consists of the banana plantation investment of Ekasalam Agriventures amounting to P290 million and ChocoInvest Corporation’s integrated cacao project worth P1.016 billion, both located in Maguindanao province, and lastly, Mina Vida’s investment of P940.5 million in Tawi-Tawi.

“We have had a good run of investments these past few years despite the challenges. Slowly but surely the return to normalcy in the region is encouraging investors to take a second look at our investment prospects,” said Mastura.

Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman lauded the consistent achievement of ARMM’s annual investment targets from the beginning of his term in 2013.

“Hitting our investment target every year for the past five years is proof of the conducive business environment currently prevailing in the ARMM even as we transition to the BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law),” said Hataman.

The outgoing ARMM governor added that he is hopeful that the incoming Bangsamoro government will continue to carry the ball with BOL just the same in the years to come.


2.7M sacks of rice to be delivered to Zambo, ARMM provinces

By Antonio Colina IV

DAVAO CITY — The government will set aside a total of 2.7 million sacks of rice to Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) amid the reported rice shortages and price increases in basic commodities.

A joint statement of the government’s economic development cluster emailed on September 5 said that at least 4.6 million sacks of rice stored in the warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) will be immediately released while another 2 million sacks previously contracted will be delivered by the end of this month.

The NFA Council has also authorized the importation of 10 million sacks of rice. An initial 5 million sacks will arrive in the country over the next one-and-a-half months while the other half early next year.

Some 12.6 million metric tons of rice equivalent to 252 million sacks are expected to boost the rice supply as the harvest season in many parts of the country has started, the statement read.

The economic cluster consisting of the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), and some members of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council convened on September 5 to counter increasing food prices.

In addition, economic managers would recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the “issuance of a directive to further simplify and streamline the licensing procedures for rice imports of the NFA” and urged the Senate to immediately pass the rice tariffication bill within the month.

The economic cluster has also recommended the creation of a monitoring team consisting of National Bureau of Investigation, police, DTI, NFA, and farmer groups for surveillance of rice from ports to NFA warehouses and retail outlets.

The country’s inflation rate soared to 6.4% in August 2018, surpassing the 5.7% recorded in July, driven by increases in electricity, gas, fuels, fish, rice, personal transport, vegetables, and meat.

In Mindanao, the inflation rate in the ARMM was at 8.1%; Zamboanga Peninsula, 6.4%; Northern Mindanao, 6.1%; Davao Region, 7.1%; Soccsksargen, 7.9%; and Caraga, 4.8%.

To counter the increasing food prices, the economic cluster has pushed to pursue agricultural reforms to resolve supply issues. It maintained that “a committed effort from government in the agriculture sector to boost supply of key products and introduce policy reforms will bring down prices for all Filipino families.”

“This is supported by the lowest regional inflation rate recorded in the food-abundant and agriculturally-productive Region III (Central Luzon) at 3.6 percent,” it added.

Also, the DA committed to replicate the issuance of certificates of necessity to allow imports to be distributed in the wet markets in the country and work with DTI to convene poultry producers and set up public markets where producers can directly sell to consumers to reduce the gap between the farm gate and retail prices.

The economic cluster also took up the opening of importation of sugar to direct users by the Sugar Regulatory Administration and prioritization of the release of essential fooditems in the ports by the Bureau of Customs.

The economic team also blamed on seasonal weather conditions for the price increases of vegetables and that they expect a relief after the typhoon season.

Sept. 11 holiday in ARMM, other Mindanao parts for Islamic New Year

(Politiko Mindanao)

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has declared September 11 a holiday for the celebration of Amun Jadid or the Islamic New Year in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other parts of Mindanao.

In a Memorandum issued on September 4, NCMF said the specific places covered by the Muslim holiday are the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the cities of Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

The holiday declaration is pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the Code of Muslim Personnel Laws of the Philippines, which recognizes Amun Jadid as a Muslim holiday.

All Muslim government officials and employees in places not covered by the law will be excused from reporting to office in order that they may be able to observe Muslim holiday.

The law also provides that the President of the Philippines may, by proclamation, require private offices, agencies or establishments to excuse their Muslim employees from reporting for working during a Muslim holiday without reduction in their usual compensation.

ARMM opens child minding center in Cotabato

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao opened here Thursday a Child Minding Center (CMC) inside the Sharif Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the region situated in this city.

Lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., ARMM education secretary, and Norkhalila Mae Mambuay-Campong, chief of staff of the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG), led the opening of the CMC at the regional library section of the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center building.

The children’s center, an initiative of ORG-ARMM through its gender and development focal point system, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5: p.m. every Monday to Friday.

“I see working ARMM parents bringing their young children to the office because they do not have a place to leave them as they also do not have confidence in the nanny system. Now, we have this child center,” Campong said.

Kamilah Unda, head of the regional library, said the ORG will hire social workers and nurses who will look after the children during their stay in the center, adding that a story-telling activity would also be conducted every Wednesday.

“We could now focus more on our jobs knowing that our children are safe,” Campong said.

Landbank, JICA launch agribusiness loan for Mindanao

(PR)

MANILA -- Landbank President and CEO Alex Buenaventura, Office Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Cotabato Director Wendell Orbeso, Embassy of Japan First Secretary Tetsuharu Mori, and JICA Philippines Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa led the launching of the program called HARVEST.

It is a welcome news at the heels of the recent passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

HARVEST stands for Harnessing Agribusiness opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of peaceful Transformation.

It is a ‎4.928 billion-yen (PHP2.12 billion) official development assistance from JICA that seeks to provide concessional loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), corporatives (plantation farm management services), large agribusiness enterprises, cooperatives, and participating financial institutions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other conflict-affected neighboring areas.

The five-year relending facility will give private enterprises access to a credit line with Landbank for their capital investments, operations, expansion initiatives, and agriculture-related projects that support agri-related economic activities in the region.

“By improving access to finance and stimulating economic activities, the cooperation aims to help create jobs, improve living standards, and contribute to peace building,” Ebisawa said.

In the Philippines, farmers remain one of the country’s poorest sectors, with poverty incidence as high as 34.3 percent, based on a 2015 report released by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Situations are worse in conflict-affected areas.

"Giving them access to finance will help sustain job creation and raise their productivity through equipment and trainings, while also boosting the region’s agro-industry sector,” Ebisawa added.

Under the program, JICA will provide human resource training and technical assistance to Landbank, agriculture cooperatives, and other participating institutions.

“Through this investment opportunities in agribusiness, we hope to help fuel growth in a region beleaguered by decades-old conflict, and ultimately uplift the quality of lives of our fellow Filipinos in these communities,” Buenaventura said.

Aside from finance support, availers of loans under the HARVEST Project will also be provided with technical assistance in the form of capacity-building trainings, seminars, and market linkage initiatives.

Landbank and JICA signed the loan agreement for the HARVEST Project on Jan. 12, 2017, with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte leading the bilateral signing ceremony held at the Malacañang Palace.

Youth power in Bangsamoro

By Antonio Colina IV

DAVAO CITY – A young Moro leader from Basilan province hopes the newly signed Bangsamoro law would end the decades-long armed conflict, and bring a new era of “peace and progress” in Mindanao.

Moro leader Hatima A. Sahal, 24, brims with optimism while sharing how she wants to engage her fellow Moro youth in changing the “image” of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), most especially in her home province and Marawi City, Lanao del Sur that was destroyed by a five-month armed conflict between the military and Islamic State-inspired Maute Group.

Sahal is a member of a group called Action Bridges Aspiration (ABA), which conducts trainings for students, out-of-school youth, and young professionals in Zamboanga, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.

“As a Bangsamoro, what I want is for us to have a peace progress and not just peace process always. After the peace talks, there would be implementation and then they would go back to peace talks again even if they have not yet completed what should have been implemented. We feel it becomes a cycle that keeps repeating,” she said.

She is hopeful that the Moro people can move into a real “peace progress” as the development cannot be attained if the Bangsamoro Law remains just like a “concept paper.”

Sahal encouraged her fellow youth to keep their hope amid the growing “disappointment and frustration” stemming from the failed promises, emphasizing the need to continue their participation in the peace-building activities in their communities.

“I hope they would participate and be aware of what’s happening as this is their right as a youth. They are useful even the OSY (out-of-youth), and the old and young.

All of us have the right. If they do not take part, if something happens, they will not understand because they are not informed,” she said.

She said enlisting the youth for peace-building would keep them away from the influence of the terrorist groups.

Work for peace together

She hopes the people will work together to achieve a peaceful Bangsamoro.

She asked: “When do we have the peace progress? When does this end? When do all of us in the ARMM start working for peace?”

“The government is just there but sometimes we cannot also blame the youth if they no longer want to participate because they might feel it wouldn’t be sustained and it would be gone again,” she said.

Sahal urged the youth to “continue doing what is right and continue what our predecessors have started because we cannot start if we do not know our roots and our identity.” She said it’s important that they know their origin to achieve understanding among people in a multi-cultural society.

A member of the Basilan Young Leaders Program in 2015, she knew the work for peace would not be easy because there would always be “misunderstanding.”

“In peace-building, there will be misunderstanding, for example, when you go to the community to give projects and, of course, projects are targeted for specific beneficiaries. But people will tend to ask why only Basilan? Why only Sulu? Why only Tawi-Tawi,” she said.

But she emphasized that it’s important to keep on despite the difficulty and do not promise the youth something that cannot be done or sustained.

“Some people are afraid of us. ‘They are Muslims.’ We cannot avoid that because it’s what they see on social media. We wish that one day nobody would be afraid of us because everyone is welcome in our home. They can visit us in our place,” she said.

She shared that her province of Basilan has quite a number of beautiful destinations and a melting pot of diverse Moro, Christians, and Lumad cultures.

“In ARMM, there are so many things that we lack. Like our heroes, we are not taught in schools who they are,” she said.

She cited the importance of incorporating in “peace education” the rich history of the Bangsamoro, narratives, and heroes in schools.

Growing up, she felt bad the youth knew nothing much about the heroes in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur,and Maguindanao.

“We consider ourselves leaders but who are our great leaders? Who are they? What are their stories?” she said.

Water tank project launched in Marawi

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Residents of two conflict-stricken barangays in Marawi City now have additional water supply facilities built with the help of private benefactors.

Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. said Saturday they launched early this week the 20,000-liter stainless water tank projects for internally-displaced families in Barangays Pagasa and Buadi Itowa in Marawi City.

The projects were joint humanitarian interventions of the Lanao del Sur provincial government, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and the Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc.

“We ought to thank these two private entities for helping provide IDPs in Marawi City with clean water that they need every day,” Adiong said Saturday.

Adiong said the new water systems will help ensure good health of children, the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases.

No fewer than 300,000 villagers in Marawi City were displaced by the May 23 to Oct. 16, 2017 conflict there that combined Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists instigated.

The five-month hostilities resulted in the deaths of hundreds, among them dozens of soldiers and police personnel, and left old historic Maranaos dwelling enclaves in ruins.

The government is still to fully rebuild Marawi City from devastation.

Adiong said they are also to focus, along with the Task Force Bangon Marawi, a series of community water management and hygiene trainings under the Marawi City Water Sanitation and Hygiene Masterplan.

Marawi City is the capital of Lanao del Sur, a component province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The ARMM government awarded last month to beneficiaries dozens of core shelters in Marawi City it constructed for Maranao IDPs.

The executive department of ARMM has also been helping communities affected by last year’s conflict in Marawi City through its Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment program.

The program is being implemented in all of ARMM’s five provinces --- Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in mainland Mindanao and the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi --- by the office of Gov. Mujiv Hataman, the chief executive of the autonomous region.

The Lanao del Sur provincial government and the office of Hataman also recently embarked on a “people’s day” outreach mission in Marawi City, facilitated by the ARMM government’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team.

Adiong said he is grateful to all government and private entities that have continuously been helping thousands of IDPs in Marawi City and nearby Lanao del Sur towns.

Maguindanao health program to benefit 10K patients

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Health officials in Maguindanao are expecting to serve more than 10,000 indigent patients during a four-day “Gamutang Pangkalahatan,” a medical-dental mission that started Tuesday.

Dr. Tahir Sulaik, Maguindanao health director, said people from 36 municipalities of Maguindanao are eligible to avail of health services, including major surgical operations, at the Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and at the Maguindanao provincial hospital situated in Shariff Aguak town.

Sulaik said this is the third year of the “Gamutang Pangkalahatan,” where more than a dozen government and private physicians converge at the provincial hospital to offer free health services to indigent patients.

“We also conduct mobile health services but major surgical operations are to be done at the hospital in Shariff Aguak,” Sulaik told reporters Wednesday.

Sulaik said the program, his brainchild, aims to provide better health services to the province’s poorest of the poor - in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. The health services also cater to patients from nearby provinces of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.

“We even have patients from South Cotabato and Lanao del Sur,” Sulaik said, adding that government health services recognize no boundaries.

The IPHO services include major and minor surgical operations, blood donation, dental services, free checkup and distribution of free medicine, pregnancy test, CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray services and many others.

The opening of the Aug. 28-31 outreach program was highlighted by the soft opening of the Hemodialysis Unit inside the Maguindanao provincial hospital.

12,000 households in the ARMM to receive core shelters

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-- About 12,000 households in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will receive core shelters from the regional government’s anti-poverty program.

The move is to improve shelter and living conditions of poor families here, government sources said.

The 7,000 family-beneficiaries in 2018 and 5,000 in 2017 are recipients of ARMM’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-BRIDGE), or ‘Apat na Dapat’ program that combats poverty and uplifts the living condition of the poorest households through the provision of basic needs.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the groundbreaking ceremony of housing projects and distribution of food supplies in the towns of Matanog, Buldon, and Barira in Maguindanao on August 23.

He also led the ceremonial breaking of the ground for shelter projects in Barangays Pura and Matuber in Datu Blah Sinsuat on August 22. Gov. Hataman said through the BRIDGE program, beneficiaries will soon move into secure homes since among the basic needs of these families is decent housing.

For 2018, the regional government earmarked roughly Php2.9 billion for 7,000 family-beneficiaries.

About 5,000 households in the region benefited from Php1.9 billion allocated under the program in 2017.

Each beneficiary will receive a core shelter in a 120 square-meter lot, food supplies for six months, livelihood training, water and sanitation, and electricity.

Official data from the ARMM-BRIDGE showed that Php2.2 billion is intended for housing projects, Php94 million for water systems, Php180 million for the supply of electricity, Php320 million for food supplies, Php140 million for livelihood, and Php25 million for hygiene kit.

Saira Macauyag, a mother of seven and a beneficiary in Barangay Poblacion in Barira, said she is excited to live in their new home as they currently stay in an abandoned house.

“Matagal ko na pong pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay kaya kapag natapos na po ito, isang katuparan po ito ng pangarap namin (I have been dreaming to have my own house so when this ends, this will be a realization of our dream),” Macauyag said.

For their daily living, Macauyag’s sons are helping her in harvesting corn. “Swerte na po kung may dalawang libo kaming kita mula sa pagha-harvest ng mais sa isang buwan, kaya malaking tulong po talaga ang food supplies ng ARMM-BRIDGE sa amin (It is already lucky to earn around Php2,000 from our corn harvest in a month. Thus, the food supplies from the ARMM-BRIDGE is really a big help to us),” she shared.

Under the livelihood component, her barangay will receive a mini-grocery store and a vegetable production project.

“Masaya kami kasi nakikita talaga namin ang malaking pagbabago sa aming lugar, may maayos na rin kaming kalsada dito, pabahay at marami pang iba (We are very happy because there is really a big change in our area, we now have a good road, housing project and more),” she added.

1 million residents benefit from ARMM program

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Some one million residents from 553 barangays across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have benefited from projects implemented under the ARMM’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) program.

Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS program manager, said that since the regional government started implementing the program in 2014, it has so far completed 1,062 of the 1,713 infrastructure projects, including the serving of 374 of 563 targeted cooperatives, and building of 257 of 530 barangay halls.

“Projects for 2018 are ongoing and we hope to implement all of these before the transition to the new Bangsamoro entity,” Upham said during a press briefing here Tuesday.

Unfinished projects since 2014 would be finished within this year, Upahm said, adding that they are currently in their 92 percent of physical accomplishment of the ventures.

Other ARMM-HELPS projects include the provision of essential medicine in barangays, construction of barangay birthing facilities and health stations, water and sanitation projects, construction of community learning centers, support to standard madrasah development program, and delivery of basic livelihood and enterprising projects, among others.

Since 2014, the ARMM has earmarked PHP6.2 billion for the high-impact projects in its component provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur, including the cities of therein of Marawi and Lamitan.

Upahm said the ARMM has 2, 490 barangays and that barangay projects beyond 2018 would eventually be handled by the Bangsamoro entity.

ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative established to achieve a more coordinated and focused intervention at the barangay level and is regarded as the centerpiece of the regional administration under Governor Mujiv Hataman.

“Our goal is to make our constituents in the region feel that there is a government ready to attend to their needs anytime,” the governor said in a statement.

ARMM flagship program builds progressive communities

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – With efforts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to build empowered communities, about a million people from 553 barangay or villages have received various projects through the region’s flagship program dubbed ARMM’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS).

Since the program’s implementation in 2014, the regional government has earmarked P6.2 billion for high-impact projects. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman reiterated that the regional government continues to make greater progress in improving the quality of the peoples’ lives, improve their living environment, and create more development opportunities in beneficiary communities.

Official data from ARMM-HELPS showed a total of 1,062 of 1,713 infrastructure projects targeted for construction were completed; 374 of 563 cooperatives were served, and 257 of 530 barangay halls were built. “Projects for 2018 are on-going and we hope to implement all of these before the transition to the new Bangsamoro entity,” Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS program manager said.

ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative of the regional government and is regarded as the centerpiece of the Hataman administration. It was established to achieve a more coordinated and focused intervention at the barangay level and eventually to create maximum impact of services delivered to the community.

Projects include provision of essential medicines, setting up of birthing facilities, construction of barangay health stations and water and sanitation projects, construction of community learning centers, support to standard madrasah development program, and delivery of basic livelihood and enterprising projects, among others.

Gov. Hataman said he is confident that before the new Bangsamoro political entity comes in, the ARMM government has already helped improve the lives of at least a million Bangsamoro people and has strengthened local governance in the region.

“Ito naman talaga ang goal natin na maramdaman ng mga kababayan natin na may gobyernong handang tumulong sa kanila,” Gov. Hataman said.

Projects that have not been completed since 2014 will be finished within this year, said Upahm.

ARMM housing project marks new beginning for Marawi IDPs

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

SAGUIARAN, Lanao del Sur, August 13 (PIA)--Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman led the turnover ceremony of a 36-unit housing project for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Lumbaca Toros, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur on August 10. Among the recipients of the housing project are Daud Radia, 65, and his wife Inday, 62.

Before the Marawi siege last year, Daud was a driver, while Inday worked as a tailor. “Hindi kami mayaman, pero noon, mayroon kaming sariling bahay (We were not rich before but we had our own house),” Inday said.

After the displacement brought by the siege, the couple with their four children, found refuge in a small lot in Lumbaca Toros, an area where a tent city was built for displaced families.

Being highly dependent on relief goods provided by the government and without a stable job, the 62-year old driver could no longer work since his license has expired and he has no sufficient money to have his license renewed.

Living inside a tent for a year, Inday said they are constantly worried about their situation – especially for their grandchildren. “Basta umuulan, umiiyak ang mga bata. Natatakot na kasi sila dahil noon, nabagsakan ng kahoy ang tent namin dahil sa lakas ng hangin (Whenever it rains, the children will cry. They were afraid of such since a tree already fell on their tent due to strong winds),” she recalled.

Now that the Radia family has moved from a tent to a housing unit, the couple has gained peace of mind.

“Hindi kami nakakahiga sa kama noon. Matanda na kami, kaya mahirap na ang humiga sa banig. Ngayong may bahay na kami ulit, mas safe na ang pamilya namin at maginhawa na ang buhay namin (We were not comfortably lying on a bed. We are already old. Thus, we find it hard to sleep on a mat. Now, we already have a house again. Our family is safer and life is better),” Inday said.

Daud’s plan is to save money to have his license renewed to jump start the family’s income. “Hindi ko na poproblemahin ang pang-araw-araw namin. Panatag ako sa asawa’t mga anak ko (We no longer worry on our daily expenses. My wife and children no longer worry on anything),” he said.

Inday, on the other hand, will return to tailoring as soon as the family settles down to its new home. “Parang bagong buhay sa amin ito. Iba na ang lugar, pero sa tulong ng gobyerno, makakabalik kami sa kung ano ang buhay namin noon (This is a new life for us. Though the place is new, with the help of the government, we can certainly go back to our old life),” she said.

The new housing project is part of the regional government’s objective to build homes for families displaced by the siege in Marawi. Another housing project with 144 units in Barangay Pantaon, Saguiaran, also for IDPs, will soon be completed.

Meanwhile, Hataman encouraged the IDPs to keep the faith since Islam teaches that with every hardship comes ease.

He also assured displaced residents that government agencies are united in the endeavor to rebuild Marawi.

Muslim cemetery sought in ARMM

By ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

COTABATO CITY: The putting up of a Muslim cemetery in every town in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), was proposed recently by Maguindanao regional Assemblyman Khadafe Mangudadatu who noted that practically all municipalities and cities in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi do not have public cemetery for their dead.

Mangudadatu attributed the situation to the centuries-old tradition of Muslim sub-tribes of Maranao, Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Iranon and Maguindanaon of burying their departed relatives in private lots or farms.

Assemblyman Mangudadatu’s bill seeks “to require every local government unit to provide at three to five hectares of land for the communal graveyards of Muslims, “explaining that his proposal aimed at providing a decent hallowed resting place for Moroland’s inhabitants, especially the indigent ones living in villages or sitio (sub-village).

Cleric Esmael Ibrahim, a member of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), has strongly endorsed the Maguindanao legislator’s proposed law for regional operation.

He emphasized that Mangudadatu’s measure “will definitely help our impoverished Moro sectors in Muslim Mindanao, considered by many as the country’s most depressed and disadvantaged region.”

Mangudadatu said his family is more than willing to donate a piece of land in their hometown of Buluan for conversion into a Muslim burial ground even before the Regional Legislative Assembly can enact his bill into law.

ARMM welcomes Global Filipino School Program

(PIA-12 Cotabato City)

COTABATO CITY (PIA) – The education department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) welcomes Globe Telecom’s Global Filipino Schools (GFS) Program as it recently opened in the area.

The GFS program is a long-term modern approach to education that allows 21st century learning methods to be introduced and implemented in public schools nationwide.

It seeks to transform select public schools into centers of excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and innovative teaching methods.

Expressing appreciation for Globe Telecom’s partnership, DepEd-ARMM Secretary Rasul Mitmug said the program will help strengthen the skills of teachers in delivering quality education in public schools through the use of modern technology.

Globe Telecom, Incorporated has committed to deliver the GFS program to one high school, or integrated school, to each of ARMM’s schools divisions.

Also, the schools will receive free internet connectivity that teachers and students can use and internet communications technology equipment and proficiency training for teachers on each selected school.

Globe Telecom Senior Vice President on Communications Maria Yolanda Crisanto said, the GFS program now covers all regions around the country including ARMM.

“With the ARMM on board, we are very happy to say that the GFS project is already in the 17th of the 17 regions in the entire Philippines.

“As fast as we can adopt using the internet, using all the latest technologies available to us, the sooner it will be better for all of us. We want to be competitive and a huge part of that competitiveness starts with education, we are glad that ARMM is open with this kind of project,” she said.

Crisanto also said that Globe will be promoting the Digital Thumbprint Program created by Globe Telecom, Optus, and Singtel, which aims at turning the Filipino youth into responsible online citizens.

Cotabato City invites bikers in 1st Mountain Bike Challenge

(Politiko Mindanao)

The city government of Cotabato is encouraging all the bikers in the city to participate in the 1st Mayor Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi Mountain Bike Challenge to be held next month.

The local government said those who will be joining the Mountain Bike Challenge on September 1 can choose from any of the two categories: Cross Country and Fun Ride.

There will be age brackets for each category.

The winners will receive cash prizes and medals.

Registration is free, the city government said.

LTO opens extension office in Tawi-Tawi

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi -- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante on Wednesday enjoined the agency’s personnel to work with dedication and commitment as he led the inauguration of the LTO Extension Office here.

The new office, located along Capitol Road in Barangay Tubig-Boh here, is under the supervision of the LTO Region 9 headed by lawyer Aminola Abaton.

Galvante urged extension office personnel to always evaluate the services they render for the satisfaction of the clientele of LTO.

He said the opening of the extension office aims to bring closer the services of the LTO to the people, especially those in the transport sector.

“There is no need for them to go to Zamboanga City to acquire driver’s license as well as register a vehicle,” Abaton said.

Abaton said the LTO of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (LTO-ARMM) has stopped its operations here in 2000 and the new satellite office was an initiative of Bongao Mayor Jimuel Que.

Que said the construction of the building that houses the extension office was funded through the 20-percent development fund of the municipal government.

He said the extension office will greatly lessen the expenses of those who wanted to acquire driver’s license, as well as those registering their vehicles.

“The one-way boat fare to Zamboanga City from here is already PHP1,200. How about the food expenses? Where to stay there? It is very costly just to acquire a driver’s license,” Que said.

He said it is more costly to register a vehicle since the owner is required to present the unit for inspection to register.

P4.8-b for Marawi rehabilitation in 2019

By Rio N. Araja

The national government is allocating another P4.8 billion for rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City under the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget next year, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday.

​Pimentel, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said P3.5 billion will be for disaster funds while the remaining P1.3 billion will go to the engineering brigade of the Philippine Army that will be helping in the reconstruction and rehabilitation program.

“On top of the P3.5 billion, government is also spending another P1.3 billion to support the activation of the Philippine Army’s 55th Engineering Brigade for the purpose of aiding in the restoration of Marawi,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his 2019 budget message to Congress, said he was pleased with the ongoing efforts to revive Marawi City.

The government is already spending P10 billion this year to make Marawi City livable again, complete with homes, schools, places of worship, hospitals, public markets, roads and bridges as well as basic services.

Over 2K displaced Maranaos trained by TESDA to help rebuild Marawi

By Ma. Cristina Arayata (PNA)

MANILA -- Over half of the 5,015 internally displaced people (IDP) of Marawi, who were given free training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will now help rebuild the war-torn city, a TESDA executive told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.

Of the total graduates, 2,360 finished construction-related courses or technical vocational education training (TVET). These graduates will help in Marawi City's rehabilitation efforts, according to TESDA.

In May 2017, the terrorist Maute Group brought violence to Marawi City, killing innocent people, causing fears, burning houses and establishments. The war with military troops ended in October 2017.

"We have 5,015 graduates who had their training from July 2017 to May 2018. There were two training modalities -- community-based and institution-based," TESDA-10 Regional Director Tarhata Mapandi told the PNA.

These graduates were those who went to nearby towns during the siege.

"They were the IDPs in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Iligan. There were also those who went to Saguiran, and those who went back to Marawi City after the siege. We were also able to provide training in barangays there," Mapandi added.

The Marawi IDPs were equipped with knowledge and skills through construction-related courses. Among these were Carpentry, Electrical Installation and Maintenance National Certification (NC) ll, Masonry NC I, Multiple Plumbing, Pipefitting, Tile Setting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC l, Heavy Equipment Operator NC ll, Plaster Concrete or Masonry Surface, Technical Drafting, and Electrical Installation & Maintenance NC ll.

The other graduates took courses related to other sectors, such as tourism, electronics, agriculture and fishery, health, garments, and social and community development services.

Under TESDA Secretary Guiling Mamondiong's 17-Point Agenda, the IDPs are among those prioritized in the provision of skills training.

Mamondiong earlier noted that providing the IDPs with the necessary training could help them with their livelihood and help them get back to normalcy.

TESDA will continue helping Marawi IDPs, Mapandi said.

ARMM guv orders DPWH district offices to fast-track infra projects

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman has ordered the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH-ARMM), particularly its district engineering offices, to speed up the completion of pending infrastructure projects in their respective areas.

Hataman said he will also meet local government executives and project contractors to ensure the smooth completion of the projects.

“Our goal here is to check on the status of these projects before the end of the year,” Hataman told reporters here on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the governor met with DPWH-ARMM people, led by regional DPWH secretary Don Mustapha Loong, for updates on the infra-projects during the Governor’s Initiative for Systems Assessment event held here.

Hataman said the deadline for the projects has been set within this year in preparation for the assumption of the incoming Bangsamoro government.

To date, the DPWH-ARMM has paved 1,547 kilometers of roads and built 83 bridges; installed 210 units of water supply systems; constructed 30 flood control structures, 60 units of drainage structures, 89 seaports, and 51 shore protection foundations, among others.

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

DILG undertakes potable water project in Marawi

By Chito Chavez

A P76-million water system project in Marawi City will be undertaken to provide potable water to residents through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG’s) Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (Salintubig) program.

DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año said that more than 2,156 households in Marawi will have access to potable water upon completion of the project by December 2019.

Año was designated by President Duterte as the Martial Law Administrator in Mindanao during the five-month-long Marawi crisis last year. “The DILG has actively contributed to end the Marawi siege and in reclaiming of the city from the local terrorist group. Now the Department continues to be proactive in its rehabilitation,” Año said.

The Salintubig project covers seven priority barangays namely: Sagonsongan, Mipaga, Emie Punod, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Moriatao Loksadato.

The DILG and the Department of National Defense as co-leads of the inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Sub-Committee on Security, Peace and Order are responsible for the restoration of water, electricity, and other public utilities in Marawi.

A tripartite Memorandum of Agreement was forged among the DILG Region 10, DILG Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and city government of Marawi for the implementation of the project.

DILG Assistant Secretary for Peace and Security Alexander Macario handed over a check worth P76-million to the City Government of Marawi for the implementation of the Salintubig potable water supply project.

The Salintubig program in Marawi is part of the P10-billion rehabilitation program under the 2018 General Appropriations Act which includes the establishment of potable water system in the priority areas.

Preventing violent extremism

Along with the Marawi rehabilitation efforts, the DILG is also in coordination with other government agencies in preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE).

“The Marawi incident is a complex crisis that is rooted on poverty, corruption, and misled ideology. Countering violent extremism would require not just a whole-of-government but also whole-of-nation approach involving communities,” said Año.

He noted that the DILG has tapped its attached agency, the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), for a localized or whole-of-community approach for PCVE advocacy campaign against terrorism and communist insurgency.

A series of training programs on PCVE has been jointly held by the DILG, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, PPSC and other agencies for an integrated community action against radicalization and extremism that will be cascaded down to barangays and local government units.

AFP, PNP launch first blood bank for Marawi

By WILLIAM JUN GARCIA (TMT)

MARAWI, Lanao del Sur: A blood bank called Project “Daloy” was launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center on Friday.

Spearheaded by the 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFC), Project “Daloy (Flow)” refers to the blood shared by local stakeholders for the PNP and AFP personnel based in Marawi and also for Marawi City residents.

A partnership agreement ceremonial signing was held among the 1403rd RMFC, 12th Civil Military Operations Battalion of the Philippine Army, Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) and the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, City Government of Marawi, Integrated Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur (IPHO LDS), Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office and the 103rd Special Action Company (SAC), Special Action Force.

Sixty-five blood bags were collected from 92 volunteers who were screened after the blood-letting activity participated in by the strategic partners 1403rd RMFC, APMC, IPHO LDS, 12th Command Battalion, 103rd SAC, together with the Mindanao State University, JCI Kulintang Inc, 107.1 Love Radio and Marawi City residents.

“This is our first step of building a stronger Marawi, by promoting synergy among law enforcement units and stakeholders in Marawi, through the establishment of the blood bank,” Police Chief Insp. Janz Vladimir Hilarion, 1403rd RMFC company commander, said.

The blood-letting activity will be conducted every quarter to promote sustainability of the blood bank project.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Bae Sorayah Alonto-Adiong, Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, Vanni Luague, JCI Kulintang Inc. head and APMC officer-in-charge Dr. Luz Saber supported the community-centered project said a “first step toward lifelong commitment” is not only in giving blood and saving life but also in promoting unity toward peace and development.”

Barangay, SK elections in Marawi set on September 22

By Paterno Esmaquel II (Rappler.com)

The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Marawi City are scheduled 4 months after the same exercise was held in other parts of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in strife-torn Marawi City will be held on September 22, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced.

In a statement, the Comelec said the barangay and SK election period in Marawi City will run from August 17 to September 29.

The campaign period will run from September 12 to 20, the Comelec added.

The last day for filing statements of contributions and expenditures is on October 22.

The Comelec released these details in Resolution 10412 promulgated on Wednesday, August 1.

Marawi is the site of a 5-month siege between government forces and terrorists, killing 168 government troops, mostly soldiers.

The Comelec earlier decided to suspend the barangay and SK elections in Marawi because of the conditions in the city. Elsewhere in the Philippines, the barangay and SK elections were held on May 14.

Celebrity guests laud traditional cuisines in ARMM

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- As the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) showcased its traditional Moro cuisines in a food festival, celebrity guests lauded the region’s unique food and delicacies noting they would promote ARMM in many ways they can. The ARMM food fest puts the spotlight on culinary delights of the region’s five provinces as part of the 29th founding anniversary celebration.

Certified foodie and blogger Erwan Heusaff, celebrity chef Boy Logro, actor-restaurateur Diether Ocampo, BecomingFilipino blogger Kyle ‘Kulas’ Jennermann, and Anak Mindanao Executive Director Djalia Turabin Hataman were among the event’s judges. Chieftains and representatives of each village wore their traditional attire during the event.

Compared with the cuisines of other regions, which tend to be sweetened, the Moros’ cooking remains strongly ancestral utilizing a good deal of coconut milk and rich in ground spices. Typical ingredients include chili, turmeric, sambal, coriander, lemongrass and peanut butter. Because of Islamic laws, pork and alcohol are absent in the native cuisine of the Moros.

“It’s amazing, the culture and beauty that is here in the region, from the people to the colors to the music to the dance to the food; these are incredible,” Canadian blogger Jennermann said. “It is so much hard to promote the food here because you don’t even know how to describe how amazing it is, so everybody in the Philippines should see this and understand this,” he added.

Promoting the culinary delights in the ARMM through his blog, Heusaff said: “I do videos and I think I just want to focus on the food and culture here in ARMM and I will put it into video and hopefully people will get curious and actually realize that they can travel here and experience it for themselves.”

“Food here in ARMM is really good, everything was really surprising, actually most of the dishes I’ve tasted I wasn't familiar (but those were) really tasty and delicious and I’m glad I was able to taste the food here and looking forward to joining more (events),” he added. The food festival marks the celebration of the region’s diverse flavors reflecting its culture and a celebration of cuisine and culinary talents of the Moro people.

Popular actor Ocampo noted that joining the food festival is a great opportunity to share the good news not only to Filipinos but also to the world.

“It’s about time to recognize (our own) – the culinary expertise in our country, something I’ve always been looking forward to. Now that I have the chance to have a great experience with them, I think we should definitely continue doing this in the next couple of years,” Ocampo said adding that experiencing the food in the region is a great surprise for him.

He also suggested that each village should share their recipes so they can share these delights in other parts of the country.

PH, Aussie navies hold maritime security exercise in Tawi-Tawi

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Navy's Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) command and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are holding a joint exercise off the coast of Tawi-Tawi, an official said Tuesday.

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, said the 10-day joint exercise -- the second leg of the 4th Combined PN-RAN Maritime Security Activity -- kicked off on Sunday in Tawi-Tawi.

Lt. Commander Musksin Jasid, NSJM chief, and Lt. Col. Judd Finger of the Australian government’s Joint Task Group 629 led the opening ceremony at the Naval Station Juan Magluyan (NSJM) in Batu-Bato, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.

It was followed by a fellowship games between the PN and RAN delegates and a boodle fight meal, which served as a symbol of brotherhood and strong bond between the two navies.

Medina said the 4th combined PN-RAN Maritime Security Activity includes the conduct of a series of meeting procedures and maritime patrols in the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), particularly in the waters of ZamPeLan, (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

He said there will also be various ship drills aboard PN and RAN vessels to test the readiness of the crew.

The PN vessels BRP-Felix Apolinario (PC-395), BRP-Anastacio Cacayorin (PC-387, and Multipurpose Attack craft BA 482 are participating in the activity. The participating RAN vessels are the HMAS Wollongong and HMAS Ararat.

Medina underscored the importance of the activity in enhancing the maritime inter-operability between the PN and RAN and other regional state navies. It also complements the current operations of the Naval Task Group Basilan and Naval Task Group ZamPeLan to pre-empt and end piracy, kidnappings and terrorism in the maritime domain, he added.

The first leg of the Maritime Security Activity was held in the Naval Forces West Area of Responsibility in Palawan from July 16 to 25, this year.

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