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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.

Better investments seen after Lanao visit of President

By Nash B. Maulana

Cotabato City—Better business climate has heralded from President Rodrigo Duterte’s the surprise visit to Lanao del Sur last week that investment prospects there have improved, Vice-Governor Mamintal Bombit Adiong Jr. said Friday.

Adiong emerged from a three-day meeting here that ended Friday local officials and Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) vowed to deliver Moro areas from the bottom of the country’s poverty index.

He said Lanao Sur, despite the recent Marawi crisis, has much to contribute from its own resources to aim for greater economic performance to take the province off the list of the country’s poorest provinces.

Adiong said the President’s visit to celebrate Independence Day in Malabang Lanao Sur signaled the end of the Marawi conflict and the province’s rise to new heights of economic prosperity.

Lanao Sur, followed by Basilan and Sulu and Maguindanao, form the BARMM’s poorest areas in terms of poverty index reckoned from the general public responses to queries in Family Income and Expenditure Survey by enumerators of the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2018.

Speaking at the forum here for his mother Governor Bejoria Alonto-Adiong, the vice-governor expressed “utmost appreciation and sheer optimism” from President Duterte’s gesture in joining Lanao del Sur in celebrating the Philippines Independence Day last June 12.

“I believe that Mindanao is now the most important focus of human freedom in the country: Freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom from injustice. We shall continue the fight against terrorism and poverty until peace, security and prosperity take root in this part of the country,” Adiong said.

Jennie Alonto Tamano, head of the Provincial Information Office, recalled seeing in the President a sense of endearment and fondness for the Maranaos, particularly the governor’s family, among them, young women professionals, who accompanied the Chief Executive in ceremonies he attended in Malabang.

“Exploit your natural resources as those are yours,” the Chief Executive told the crowd. Mr. Duterte was joined by Ludovico Badoy, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), who also grew up in Malabang.

Vice-Governor Adiong said once he assumes as the province’s governor on June 30, 2019, he would focus more on the economic development of his province by drawing in more investments, generating more job opportunities and on sustainable livelihood development programs.

This, he said, is in support of the Duterte administration’s quest for a prosperous nation.

BARMM to launch ‘Radyo Bangsamoro’

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to launch on Saturday its weekend radio program “Radyo Bangsamoro”, aimed at updating its constituents on the affairs of the region.

The program, slated from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., would be aired via the Catholic-run DXMS radio station in this city.

“In our initial broadcast, BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod (Al Haj Murad) Ebrahim would be heard via phone patch inviting his constituents to tune in to the program and be abreast on regional matters,” Irene Fernandez-Gonzales, chief administrative officer of the Bureau of Public Information – BARMM, said.

Fernandez said the program would handle topics on peace and security, economics and development, among others.

She added that Abdullah Cusain, BARMM deputy executive secretary, is also expected to join the initial broadcast of the program.

The program would be hosted by Fernandez-Gonzales and Albashir Saiden, also of BPI-BARMM.

The BARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and Basilan; the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato province that voted for inclusion to the fledgling expanded region during the January 21 and February 6 plebiscite this year.

Marawi folk get livelihood, humanitarian aid from US gov’t

By Divina Suson (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Philippines — The US Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over some P1.95 million worth of community grants that the US government had earlier committed for humanitarian and recovery work in war-torn Marawi City.

These grants, which included livelihood and improvement for schools, health centers, water and drainage system, electrification and other public facilities, formed part of the $59.1-million (P3.2-billion) Marawi Response Project that US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim launched in October last year.

Patrick Wesner, USAID acting mission director, led the distribution of grant certificates to beneficiaries here last week.

Wesner said the US government had been inspired by the stories of resilience shown by Marawi residents, whose lives had been disrupted by the five-month fighting between Philippine troops and Islamic State-inspired armed groups that laid siege to Marawi City in 2017.

He assured that the US government would continue to deliver humanitarian aid to improve conditions in evacuation centers and communities hosting displaced residents of Marawi.

Around 33,000 evacuees in centers and transitional shelters benefited from water and sanitation facilities installed through the help of USAID.

Representatives of 25 groups from nine Lanao del Sur towns received their grant certificates during the ceremony here.

Japan biz group to plant 10K Sakura seeds in Davao, Marawi

By Christine Cudis (PNA)

DAVAO CITY -- As they bank on building deeper relations with the Philippines, a Japanese business group on Thursday bared its plans of planting Sakura seeds in Mintal, Davao City and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

In a media interview during the Davao Investment Conference 2019, Ichido Miyake, vice president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Mindanao, said they are currently experimenting what type of trees would survive in a tropical country like the Philippines.

“We initially have 800 seeds from Okinawa [Japan] that will be planted in the colder areas of Davao, in Eden [Nature Park],” Miyake said.

These Sakura trees are potentially most suitable to be planted in the Philippines since Okinawa has warmer weather than the rest of the places in the country with Sakura.

Mintal, a village in Davao City, is dubbed as the Little Tokyo.

Sometime in 1937, the height of the Commonwealth era, Bagobos and Japanese coexisted and it even resulted in intermarriage.

Its agricultural activity brought more Japanese workers until there were more of them than the locals. Around 11,000 Japanese lived and worked in Mintal at the time.

“This will help bring more tourists in the city and in the country,” Miyake said, adding that the Sakura trees will be planted by the roadside.

If the experiment goes well, he said they might start the planting the seeds this year. And three years after, residents would see them bloom.

Apart from Mintal, Miyake said he and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzano agreed to plant Sakura trees in Marawi City’s ground zero.

“Like after the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima, planting Sakura trees became part of our healing process. It symbolizes peace,” he said.

Miyake and his colleagues from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce were participants of the Davao ICON 2019. They brought with them at least 50 delegates from Japan to attend the event.

Transition plan from ARMM to BARMM now in effect

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Bangsamoro Transition Plan (BTP) is now in place and in effect after the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) issued the green light for its implementation on Tuesday.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim Chief Minister Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim submitted the plan on Monday to the BTA for scrutiny and eventual approval the next day.

It was drafted by the coordinating team for transition composed of members from the government such as Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, and ARMM, as well as Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the smooth transition from ARMM to BARMM.

Ebrahim said the plan will serve as a guide book for leaders named by President Rodrigo Duterte to man the new expanded autonomous setup in the southern Philippines.

“The transitional plan is a product of hard work of people in support to the endeavor of achieving sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim said.

“This document includes (steps) on how we will switch from ARMM to this newly-established form of government, the BARMM,” he added.

The BTP also includes organization chart for the various ministries, offices, and agencies from the BARMM, as well as its timeline for the gradual phasing out of agencies and offices under the now-defunct ARMM.

The transition period will end once the new set of BARMM officials shall have been elected in political exercises in 2022.

BARMM youth ensured of key participation in Bangsamoro governance

(PR)

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao -- More than 100 youth leaders from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) converged here over the weekend and crafted a five-point youth peace and security agenda to ensure their interests are well-reflected in the policies of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) as well as incorporated into the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security.

In a Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) consultation organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), BARMM youth leaders were given an avenue to discuss key concerns and submit recommendations to promote the youth sector’s agenda relative to the ongoing transition of the Bangsamoro interim government and the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Hamida Paglas, a participant and a member of MyPeace Boses ng Kabataan, said through this activity, the various narratives on the youth will be highlighted.

“'Yong mga negative narrative tungkol sa kabataan mawawala na po, ngayon po mabibigyan na kami ng boses, malaya na po naming maipapahayag ang mga opinyon at beliefs as an individual, as youth. (Negative narratives about the youth will end. Our voices are heard, and our opinions and beliefs are acknowledged),” Paglas said.

Nasserudin Dunding, a representative of the Youth Political Reform and Peacebuilding Advocate of Young Centrists Union, noted the workshop is a chance for the BARMM youth to voice out their needs, saying, "Malaki 'yong magiging tulong nito lalun-lalo na sa mga kabataan. (The output of the YPS consultation is a big help for the youth)."

"Sa consultation na ito malalaman natin kung ano ba talaga ang gusto ng mga kabataan na nasa Bangsamoro at hindi lang yung theory ang naririnig natin. (We get to know the concerns and needs of the youth in the Bangsamoro straight from them, not from the theories we just hear),” he added.

Under the BOL, there is one reserved sectoral seat for the youth sector in the Bangsamoro Parliament. The rights of the youth are also enshrined in Article IX: Basic Rights of the BOL, which specifically recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building.

The passage and ratification of the BOL and the subsequent establishment of the BARMM is part of the political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Another component of the CAB is the normalization track, which covers the decommissioning of MILF fighters and their weapons, the dismantling of Private Armed Groups, as well as the transformation of several camps into progressive and resilient communities, and runs in parallel with the political track.

The CAB is the peace agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed on March 27, 2014.

Five-point Youth, Peace and Security agenda

The consultation-workshop sessions focused on the role of the youth in governance and their representation in institutions; the promotion and protection of human rights; youth’s participation in the implementation of transitional justice and reconciliation initiatives; prevention of violence, promotion of a culture of peace; and rehabilitation and development efforts that address the needs of the youth affected by armed conflict.

From these main concerns, the participants proposed five immediate action points: (1) Empowering the youth through capacity building and in partnership with different stakeholders; (2) Proper research, documentation, validation of data narratives of the Bangsamoro and integration the same in the basic to tertiary education; (3) Strengthening social enterprise for the youth by the BARMM; (4) Policies and mechanisms in peace education should prioritize culture, religion, faith and formal institutions; and (5) Establish a BARMM youth grievance office that will support youth initiatives for rebuilding Marawi.

Among the participants is Arham Kamensa, a member of the Bangsamoro Youth Model Parliament (BYMP). BYMP is an OPAPP-led activity which simulates the Bangsamoro Parliament. It was launched during the celebration of National Peace Consciousness in 2018.

Kamensa said he looks forward "to the intervention of the Bangsamoro youth not just on political empowerment but also in education and business investments."

"[These activities] will open eventual employment opportunities [in] major areas that have been directly affected by the [peace and security situation] in Muslim Mindanao throughout the years...I think, then, that platforms for these areas must be given [to] young Bangsamoro," he added.

In his message which was delivered by OPAPP Director Jana Gallardo, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. lauded the youth’s active participation as he stressed the importance of having their voices heard.

"I'd like to guarantee that we hear you, loud and clear. It is imperative that the inputs, concerns and insights that you have crafted will be reflected in the policies and actions," he said.

The secretary also reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to support the BARMM youth in pushing forward their initiatives.

"Nandito kami para sa inyo dahil malaki ang tiwala namin sa inyo at naniniwala kami sa kakayahan ng mga kabataan sa Bangsamoro.(We are here for you because we trust and believe in the potential of the youth in the Bangsamoro)," he said.

Galvez also emphasized that the participation of the youth is crucial in sustaining peace in BARMM.

BTA Member of Parliament (MP) lawyer Anna Basman underscored the importance of establishing a mechanism that would guide the youth in resolving peace and security challenges in their community.

"The youth's idealism is both a boon and a bane to the issue of peace and security. This laudable character makes some vulnerable to ideologies that purport to represent their belief system or their desire to advocate for the oppressed,” Basman said.

“Because of this, it has become crucial to provide a mechanism so that this same idealism is channeled to resolve emerging peace and security challenges in our communities," she added.

Meanwhile, BTA MP and Executive Director of the Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA) Marjanie Macasalong committed that the output of the youth leaders will be incorporated in the local policies:

"We commit to include these outputs to our Comprehensive Bangsamoro Youth Development Agenda which the OBYA is currently drafting. Rest assured that we, in our office, will do our best to address those issues within our bounds," Macasalong said.

Response to UNSCR 2250

The activity also allowed the youth delegates to formulate and submit recommendations that would be incorporated into the youth peace agenda, which in turn, will be included in the crafting of a national action plan adopting the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.

This is the first resolution to acknowledge the legitimacy of the youth's role in upholding and promoting international peace and security.

In response to the UNSCR resolution and the government’s all-inclusive peace and development agenda, OPAPP initiated three major island-wide Youth Peace Table (YPT) consultations which became a platform for the youth to support the Bangsamoro and CPP/NPA/NDF Peace Processes, as well help in the promotion of the culture of peace.

After gathering 117 key youth leaders from across the country, the YPT was able to help establish 76 youth networks. The YPT has launched its Youth Peace Agenda, as well as implemented various peace-building initiatives in their schools and communities.

The BARMM YPS consultation was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Development Program, Generation Peace Network, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs, 1st Infantry Tabak Division, 6th Infantry Kampilan Division, 11th Infantry Alakdan Division, 37th Infantry Brigade, and 104th Infantry Brigade.

BARMM has 1M tree seedling reserves

By Edwin Fernandez and Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MENRE-BARMM) said on Thursday its tree seedling reserves in its regional nursery facility has already reached close to one million.

Environment officials and employees conducted a soil- bagging activity at the nursery in Barangay Dimapatoy, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, as part of the celebration of the Environment Month.

“It (soil bagging) is a continuing effort is to prepare the young trees for future tree-planting events in the region,” MENRE-BARMM Minister Abdulraof Macacua said.

To ensure the sustainable growth of the regional seedling nursery, Macacua and other environment workers have committed to continue developing it along with various seedling nurseries across the Bangsamoro region.

“Soil-bagging activities would be considered a part of the ministry’s greening program amid the effects of climate change,” Macacua said.

Macacua said he would regularly visit seedling nurseries across the region to assess and evaluate the needs of nursery sites and take action on its sustainability.

BARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan.

In 2014, the defunct Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao succeeded in the care and eventual distribution of one million tree seedlings in the region through the regional tree seedling nursery.

BARMM envi ministry remits P200-M revenues to reg'l treasury

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MENRE-BARMM) has remitted more than PHP200 million in revenue collections to the regional treasury, making it the first agency to produce such income for the regional bureaucracy.

MENRE-BARMM Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua said in a statement Thursday that as of June 13, his office has contributed a total amount of PHP207,010,832 to the BARMM regional treasury office.

Macacua assumed office last March 1, following the assumption to office of new leaders named by President Rodrigo Duterte to serve the BARMM set-up during its transition period.

He said the revenues were collected from mining fees and other payments that included certification, verification, and certificate of non-coverage fees.

Macacua said one of his primary goals is to foster moral governance alongside environmental protection. | “Environmental protection is a must for us working in the ministry. That’s already given,” he said.

More than such duty, however, he said “moral and good governance should also be focused on by the seated Bangsamoro leaders.”

For the past three years of the defunct ARMM, the regional environment office has been the region’s highest remitting agency. Macacua vowed to maintain that feat, including the proper management of collectibles.

“As we continue working towards a much better Bangsamoro, we must bear in mind the morality that we need to instill in our forms of governance,” he said.

Bangsamoro region information website launched

(ABS-CBN News)

MANILA - A website that provides information about the newly established Bangsamoro region was launched Thursday in Cotabato City.

AccessBangsamoro.ph aims to promote the free flow of information, discussions, and analyses for the effective implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) said in a statement.

The website contains data, infographics, policy issues, think pieces and publications about the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM.)

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said government is committed to support the website with the “hope that the portal will provide a significant space for research and discussions that will promote transparency, accountability and moral governance in the Bangsamoro.”

The online portal is maintained by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Policy Center of the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), with financial aid from the Australian government.

“Access Bangsamoro will serve as a platform for education and discussion, help create sound and effective evidence-based public policy, and engage as wide a part of society as possible,” Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson said.

Follow Access Bangsamoro on facebook.com/accessbangsamoro and twitter.com/accessbm.

Japan turns over school building in Maguindanao

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- An official of the Japanese embassy in Manila has turned over a six-classroom building in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao on Wednesday, as part of Tokyo's support to education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Manabu Yasukawa, first secretary of the economic section of Japan Embassy in Manila, was in Kabuntalan during the turn-over program that was also attended by Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the BARMM Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, and Kabuntalan municipal administrator Anwar Salik and other education officials.

The school building was put up and funded by the Japan government through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Yasukawa said the Japanese government is providing technical expertise in helping improve education in the BARMM as part of its contribution to the Philippine government’s peace process in Mindanao.

The school building built inside the Barangay Gambar Elementary School in Barangay Gambar aims to help improve the quality of education in Kabuntalan.

Iqbal lauded Japan for its continuing intervention in conflict communities in southern Philippines.

Cotabato Light shares energy conservation tips

By Edwin Fernandez and Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The Aboitiz-owned Cotabato Light and Power Company (Cotabato Light) on Wednesday has issued an energy conservation advisory to its clients, as part of its education and information dissemination program on energy savings.

The power firm said several reasons hike power consumption in homes amid attempts to lower their monthly electric bills.

Arlene Hepiga, speaking for Cotabato Light, said a residential customer who has not added a new electric-powered appliance at home may be surprised if his or her power consumption reads higher than before, especially this summer season.

She said usually, higher energy consumption is traceable to other causes, which the customer is not aware of or has overlooked.

Hepiga explained that an increase in the number of users or frequency of use of some types of appliances, particularly electric irons, electric stoves or ovens, air conditioners, and refrigerators means an increase in power consumption.

“As the household gets bigger, hosts more guests, or celebrates more occasions, the use of these appliances tends to increase,” she said.

Hepiga said the habit of most consumers to leave electronic devices plugged also affect power consumption. Citing as an example, she said the on-standby power feature of appliances consumes 2-10 watts or 6-10 percent of usage.

“These devices, which emit red light, are considered “phantom load” and are still operating even when you think they are turned off. It is best to unplug appliances when not in use,” she said.

She added that during the summer season, consumers normally have prolonged or heavier use of air conditioning units, electric fans, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators resulting in an increase in power consumption.

Hepiga also cited “seasonal factors” that enable or induce more people to stay home and make heavier or extended use of electric appliances like electric fans and air conditioning units. These season factors include school breaks and vacations, the Christmas season, the fasting month of Ramadhan, holidays and other festivities, as well as other occasions such as family reunions.

Hepiga said a defective magnetic rubber gasket of refrigerators also spike power consumption.

“If the gasket is no longer airtight, it allows cold air to escape from the refrigerator, forcing the refrigerator’s motor to work harder to maintain the temperature at the desired setting,” she said.

In its 2018 company profile, Cotabato Light said it is serving an estimated 40,000 customers in Cotabato City and parts of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat towns in Maguindanao province.

Marawi victims continue to receive aid from DSWD

By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

Two years since the Marawi siege, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to provide assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly to families and individuals from the 24 most affected areas.

These projects include transitory family support package (TFSP) with a cash grant amounting to P53,000, livelihood settlement grants (LSGs) amounting to P20,000, and the provision of “pabaon” relief packs amounting to P1,359 each.

The beneficiaries were identified based on the “Kathanor” list, which is a result of the biometric profiling process called “Kathanor.”

To date, 15,677 families have been identified, and each household will receive a total of P73,000 cash assistance and one “pabaon” relief pack.

The distribution of assistance for those coming from the most affected areas started last April 6, serving 82 percent or 12,993 families out of the total target of 15,677 family-recipients, so far.

Meanwhile, families from the less-affected areas could access LSGs and pabaon relief packs upon the release of the initial list from the “Kathanor” process.

DSWD assured the public that all identified beneficiaries will be served and provided with assistance in line with its goal to respond to the needs of the IDPs.

Cotabato City's first female police chief assumes post

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – The first female graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) on Monday assumed office as the first city police director here.

Colonel Portia Manalad replaced Colonel Michael Lebanan as head of Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO) during the 2 p.m. ceremony held at the CCPO headquarters situated at Pedro Colina Hill, this city.

Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi welcomed Manalad, even as she bid goodbye to Colonel Lebanan who will be reassigned to the Police Regional Office Region 12 in General Santos City.

With her installation as CCPO head, Manalad, 46, made history by becoming the first female city police director for Cotabato City, in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) and in the entire island of Mindanao.

In 1995, Manalad also exemplified by becoming the first and lone woman to graduate at the PNPA. Manalad was also a graduate of Master in Public Management, major in Development and Security, conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines in 2016.

Moreover, she served in the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in conflict areas of Kosovo and East Timor. She had pushed for the deployment of more women peacekeepers in the UN missions in conflict-affected countries.

“Let's work hand in hand with our new acting city director in achieving peace, security, and unity amidst diversity,” Guiani-Sayadi said in her welcome remarks.

Manalad, an advocate of women empowerment, stressed once more as in her previous public speaking engagements that “women may be weaker physically but we could be as strong as everybody else in the service in several other ways.”

PCOO, TFBM bring int’l media to Marawi City

(PCOO)

MANILA -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has brought more than 40 foreign journalists to Marawi City on May 23 to showcase the government's rehabilitation program two years after the Marawi siege broke out.

The reporting tour aims to curb inaccurate information about the current situation in Marawi City.

This is the third reporting event organized by the PCOO-Office of Global Media Affairs (OGMA), following the tour in Eastern Samar to cover the return of the Balangiga Bells in December, and the trip to Cotabato City and Maguindanao for the Bangsamoro Organic Law Plebiscite last January.

More than 40 media personnel participated in the reporting event in Marawi City, coming from outlets based in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.

The trip was organized by the OGMA, in partnership with the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

“We want to bring the journalists there to provide them the accurate narratives to avoid disinformation, which is what the PCOO has been advocating for,” OGMA chief JV Arcena said.

“This is an opportunity to showcase the government's efforts on the ground as well as the sentiment from the locals themselves, to paint a clearer picture of the situation,” he added.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, meanwhile, lauded the efforts of OGMA and TFBM.

“What you (OGMA) did was important, to provide the international media the correct narratives from the government and the people on the ground. You made their assignment or job easier for organizing a tour and securing them the clearances to get into the restricted areas. Thank you, OGMA for making a difference in this year’s anniversary of the Marawi siege. Thanks a lot for your time and effort, JV Arcena,” Andanar said.

Upon arrival to Marawi City, the international media witnessed the culmination program of the Marawi Week of Peace.

"We ensure Marawi will rise again as a prosperous city again. We are with you until the end of the rehabilitation in December 2021," Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and TFBM Chair, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, said in a speech before the locals.

Then, the international media went to the most affected area where they saw the construction of the Bangolo Bridge -- the main artery going to Marawi’s central business district.

They also witnessed the demolition of buildings beyond repair.

Del Rosario said once all debris management work is completed by November, the construction of vertical infrastructure will now commence.

About 24 infrastructure projects are lined up to be built until 2021.

Del Rosario said currently, the main challenge of the rehabilitation program is the clearing of unexploded explosives and ordinances, as he wants to assure that the city is safe before residents return to their homes.

He said bombs planted by the Islamic militants have a 650-meter blast radius -- potentially wiping out all buildings in the area.

Nevertheless, he said TFBM has been prompt in the rehabilitation process.

"We are on the right track. We can do it in less than five years," del Rosario said, noting that the timeline is shorter than the seven-year period estimated by outside experts.

He noted that the government immediately conducted intervention activities as early as two months into the Battle of Marawi even while skirmishes were ongoing. These include land development, construction of temporary housing, distribution of relief goods, and medical outreach activities.

"There are no delays. Propagandists are using delays as a Jihadist recruitment narrative," del Rosario said.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Commander of the 103rd infantry brigade, meanwhile said during the reporting tour that the Islamic terrorists no longer have the capacity to attempt another attack.

“Their capabilities are diminished. The threat posed by Maute-ISIS has gone very low,” he said.

Moreover, the reporting tour also brought the international media to the Sagonsongan transitory shelters where they interacted with the displaced families.

They also witnessed the Department of Social Welfare and Development payouts consisting of PHP73,000 cash and household goods.

“We are on our way to being well. We are finally learning what peace is all about,” Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra said during the tour.

The PCOO-OGMA is tasked to connect Philippine government policymakers with the international media, and to promote priority policy messages through engagements with foreign audiences.

Marawi on road to recovery through healing, reconciliation

(PR)

MARAWI CITY -- “We are on our way to being well. We are finally learning what peace is all about,” Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra declared as residents here on Thursday commemorated the siege that occurred two years ago.

Although, the full extent of the rehabilitation process has yet to be completed, Gandamra urged the people in Marawi to put more emphasis on social healing.

“Peace starts with us. Peace must be realized,” he said as the city celebrates the culmination of the Week of Peace festival.

The festival was held right on the grounds of the City Hall, where two years ago, the Mayor and several of his security men stood firm for days preventing the Maute group from burning the City Hall.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr., who was then the chief of Western Mindanao Command, shared that just like their mayor who fought against the ISIS-linked group tooth and nail, the people of Marawi have shown their best by being resilient right at the height of the conflict.

“I was tasked to deliver an inspirational message today as we culminate the Marawi Week of Peace. But the reality is, it is you, the people of Marawi, who have inspired and strengthen my resolve to work for genuine and enduring peace,” he said.

“Truly, I am very inspired to know that as we observe the Holy Month of Ramadan, you are using the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the lessons of the Marawi experience and apply them to your daily lives,” Galvez said, adding that “This is where the healing process can truly begin.”

Galvez emphasized that Marawi stand to benefit from the establishment of the Bangsamoro region.

“The opportunity for us to heal, rebuild, and recover is within reach. With the establishment of the Bangsamoro government, the fate of this beautiful city now rests not only in the hands of the new leadership but also in your hands,” he said.

“You now have the opportunity to play a key role in charting the course of Marawi's future,” Galvez pointed out.

Evacuees go back

According to Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chair of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, only a few families affected by the conflict are still staying in evacuation camps.

“At the initial aftermath of the siege, there were about 57 evacuation centers with almost 6,000 families within and outside of Marawi. Now we have only two evacuation centers in Marawi with only about 312 families,” he said.

“And by July, all of these families will be accommodated in the temporary shelters. So nobody will be staying in evacuation centers,” he said.

Families that applied for building and reconstruction permits from the city government of Marawi will be allowed to go back in the most affected area, he said.

Del Rosario said Marawi is gradually bouncing back.

“We are mandated to ensure that Marawi will rise as a prosperous city again,” he said.

Transitional justice program

To achieve a holistic approach for the healing process, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is partnering with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to help rehabilitate former members of the Maute group.

Col. Romeo Brawner, the commander of Task Force Ranao, said it is also important to intervene in the deradicalization of these individuals who were duped to join the Maute group.

“We are looking at the Basilan model, wherein members of the Abu Sayyaf, who have surrendered, where given proper interventions,” he said.

Galvez said his office will be helping the military in Lanao areas to bring down the level of animosity between the victims of the conflict and surrendered perpetrators.

“What we are looking at is the implementation of transitional justice and reconciliation here,” he said.

Part of the activities is to meet with the members of the Maute group who have surrendered and their families for an Iftar.

Brawner said they will tap these former and reformed combatants to prevent others from being radicalized.

Galvez also went to the Sarimanok Evacuation Center together with OPAPP personnel to hand over goods in solidarity with the internally displaced persons.

The visit is part of the yearly Duyog Ramadan that OPAPP is implementing during the month-long observance.

Meanwhile, Galvez, Del Rosario, Gandamra, and Brawner held a solemn wreath laying to commemorate the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice to liberate Marawi. The ceremony was held inside the 103rd Infantry Brigade headquarters.

“The gallantry of the 168 soldier who lost their lives will forever be etched in our hearts,” Galvez said.

Army battalions join 'Brigada Eskwela' in Maguindanao

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Soldiers from two Army battalions took time out on Thursday to participate in “Brigada Eskwela” initiatives in public schools in Maguindanao as part of their social responsibility, officials said.

Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said soldiers of the Bravo Company joined parents and teachers in preparing the Datu Paglas Central School in Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao by providing manpower assistance and free haircut, especially to incoming students.

Boongaling said the annual Brigada Eskwela was spearheaded by Bouden Tudon, head teacher of Datu Paglas Central School, with the parents, teachers, and alumni who cleaned, cut grasses, and repair classrooms.

In nearby President Quirino Central School in Barangay Poblacion, Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, the soldiers joined the annual Brigada Eskwela efforts.

“The soldiers’ participation in the Brigada Eskwela highlight the spirit of volunteerism and unity,” he said in a statement.

Elements of the 57th IB joined the same activity in public schools in the towns of Datu Hoffer, Datu Unsay, and Shariff Aguak, all in Maguindanao, on Thursday.

The soldiers helped prepare the school facilities and its environment to become safe and conducive for learning when pupils return to school on June 3.

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, has ordered all Army battalions in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and parts of North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur to participate in Brigada Eskwela activities.

Brigada Eskwela, or the National Schools Maintenance Week, is a nationwide initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) that aims to mobilize the parents, alumni, teachers, civic groups, and students, among others, to volunteer their time and repair skills in preparing school facilities for school opening in June.

This year’s theme is "Matatag na Bayan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan."

BARMM exec lauds performance of peace and order councils

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY — Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of Local Government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MLG-BARMM) lauded on Wednesday the efforts of provincial peace and order councils in the region for their support in the campaign to fight criminality, illegal drugs, and other unlawful activities.

“We are also calling on everyone to help, in whatever way, to ensure a peaceful and secured community for the development of the region,” Sinarimbo said in a statement.

The official issued the statement during Wednesday’s conduct of the 2018 Peace and Order (POC) performance audit at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the BARMM in this city.

The audit was conducted by the five-man Regional Audit Team (RAT) chaired by Sinarimbo with Maj. John Paolo Carracedo of Police Regional Office-BARMM; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-BARMM Assistant Regional Director Marlon Santos; PDEA-9 and Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi agent Marvin Santos; Civil Service Organization representative Oting Agting; and Butch Malang, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ceasefire panel, as members.

The audit was aimed at assessing the performance of the local POCs, their functionality, and compliance with existing laws and policies.

Sinarimbo said the audit also sought to determine the best practices conducted and initiated by the POCs and POC Secretariats and their possible interventions and improvement strategies, as well as create a platform for evaluation, assessment, and sharing of best practices between and among POCs and Secretariats.

Sinarimbo explained that there were five pillars of audit criteria that included: Organization, Meetings, Policies/Plan/Budget, Reports, and Innovations.

Lininding Lao, MLG-BARMM assistant secretary, said the creation of the audit teams was in line with the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) national office to ensure efficient performance of the local councils and the programs and activities being undertaken.

The POC performance audit is now in its second year of implementation.

“Last year’s performance audit was strictly for profiling only, however for this year, a mechanism for sanctions and awards will form part of the audit,” Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo assured the public that all activities of MLG-BARMM will be transparent and open for public scrutiny.

Peace implementing panels turn over transition plan to BTA

(PR)

COTABATO CITY – The Implementing Panels of the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday turned over in this city their Proposed Transition Plan to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

The plan was officially accepted by BTA Interim Chief Minister Ahod "Murad" Ebrahim, Al Haj.

Ebrahim said the Proposed Transition Plan will serve as a working draft that will be further enhanced by the technical working group (TWG) created by the regional cabinet.

“Subjecting the proposed Transition Plan to a TWG composed of permanent employees can elicit vital learning or lessons in bureaucratic norms, ethics, practices, and experiences," he explained.

The chief minister also thanked the members of the Coordination Team for the Transition (CT4T) to the BTA, as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the technical assistance and resources it extended to the BTA.

The Proposed Transition Plan was crafted by the CT4T and submitted to the government and MILF Implementing Panels chaired by Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Executive Director Gloria Jumamil-Mercado.

The plan includes the critical priority codes that the BTA should legislate, electoral, local government, education, administrative, revenue, and civil service codes.

It is crucial for the codes to be passed into law to provide the necessary structure when crafting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s budget for the next fiscal year, and the usage of the block grant.

Among the main priority programs of the BTA are education, health and sanitation, food security, and environment protection.

In his message, Iqbal said he was very pleased with the achievement of another milestone in the Bangsamoro Peace Process.

He expressed hope that "the chief minister will find it (Proposed Transition Plan) valuable and useful in establishing a government structure that is ethical, inclusive, dutiful to the needs of the constituency it vowed to protect and serve."

"Indeed, the work placed in this plan was inspired by the aspirations of the people in the Bangsamoro, which includes just and lasting peace for generations to come," he added.

For her part, Jumamil-Mercado expressed her gratitude to the CT4T for drafting the transition plan.

"We’d like to express our gratitude to the CT4T who worked tirelessly to come up with a plan that is inclusive and inspired by the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. Let us sustain the gains of peace as we continue to work for peace and development for the Bangsamoro," she said.

In his remarks, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said the proposed plan embodies the parties' commitment to utilize the appropriate processes and mechanisms to ensure the efficient transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government to the BTA.

"We hope that the interest of the people, the reform in the Bangsamoro, and collaborative engagement among various agencies both at the regional and national level(s) be given utmost priority as we implement the transition plan," he said.

Galvez reaffirmed President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong support for the Bangsamoro, as he underscored the national government’s unwavering commitment to implement all signed peace agreements with the various Moro fronts.

"President Duterte wants all stakeholders to help the Bangsamoro. We (OPAPP) are your partner in this journey towards self-determination and development of (the) Bangsamoro not only until 2022 but even beyond. On a personal note, it’s a lifetime crusade. I am and will be your big brother," he said.

Galvez and the members of the government’s Implementing Panel also went to the session of the BTA to observe the parliamentary procedures.

The CT4T GPH representatives were composed of Undersecretary Hernan B. Jumilla (Department of Budget and Management), lawyer Jose I. Lorena (OPAPP), and engineer Baintan Ampatuan (ARMM), and lawyer Krunimar Escudero III (DBM).

On the other hand, the CT4T MILF members were composed of Executive Secretary Esmael Pasigan, engineer Mohajirin Ali, lawyer Sha Elijah Dumama Alba, Abdulmotalib Ismi, and Aragasi S. Mohammad.

The CT4T has already fulfilled its mandate with the submission of the Proposed Transition Plan and will cease to exist.

The body endorsed the plan to the Implementing Panels in Manila last March 26, beating the 60-day deadline as provided in Article XVI, Section 6 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Government, donors spent P21.5 billion for social services in Marawi

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

The national government as well as international agencies have so far spent a total of P21.5 billion for social services for Marawi residents since the start of the siege, Task Force Bangon Marawi Chair Eduardo Del Rosario said on Monday.

Of this amount, P15 billion was spent by the national government for humanitarian work while they have accounted P6.5 billion coming from development partners and other multilateral partners.

Del Rosario, who is also the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council told reporters that the bulk of P15 billion was allocated to Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Remember in 2017, P5 billion was issued for relief assistance and in 2018 P10 billion was allocated by the national government and given to different departments for livelihood, health services..,” he said, noting that this was also the source of the transitory family support package to Marawi residents amounting to P53,000 aside from the P20,000 livelihood settlement grant.

He also said that they have accounted so far about P35.5 billion in Official Development Assistance from different countries, including Spain and Japan.

Broken down, the loan by the government to development partners amounted to P30 billion while grants reached P5.5 billion.

Moreover, Del Rosario once again assured that despite the delays, Marawi reconstruction is still on track to be completed by December 2021.

“We are on track with our timetable, we are now and the debris management started and because of the presence of unexploded explosives and ordinances, we have tapped the Armed Forces of the Philippines experts on this aspect, including the expertise and latest equipment provided by the contractor. So we have given our timetable that clearing will be completed by August 30 of the year, and the demolition of the damaged structures by November 30 of the year. And as well as September of the year, the vertical construction of projects, public infra will commence,” he said.

As for the construction of temporary shelters, Del Rosario said this has been ongoing since last year and they have provided P1,800 temporary shelters.

He added that they will be allowing residents to go back soon to repair their houses and buildings.

“In fact, starting of July of the year, July 30 we will now start allowing the residents to go back in sector one and in August and September and so forth, every moth there’ll be two sectors that will be coming in. the most affected area was divided into 9 sectors. So in July sector 1, 2, 3 will be in August and the last will be on November wherein sectors 8, and 9 will be allowed to come in to repair their destroyed building,” he added.

Out of the total P44,000 families, residents of the most affected area were estimated to be P18,000 families.

However, Del Rosario clarified that these residents cannot yet stay there to live as there is still no water and electricity.

“The water and electricity will soon start construction of the water and electrical facilities by September of the year. So most likely the requirements for water and electricity will be available by the early part of 2020,” he said.

The Philippine government earlier denied a Washington Post report this year describing Marawi City as a “ghost town” more than a year after the 2017 Marawi siege, saying the city is “alive and booming.”

DOST to preserve weaving skills of Marawi IDPs

By Lade Jean Kabagani (LJKabagani/PIA ICCC)

ILIGAN CITY (PIA ICCC) -- To revive the handloom weaving among Maranaos, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provides technical and financial assistance to the displaced Maranaos following the Marawi siege that happened almost two years ago.

The DOST in partnership with the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology's (MSU-IIT) Maranao Collectible and the local government unit, the project aims to preserve and strengthen the handloom weaving industry, as it represents culture and tradition of Mindanaons especially the Maranaos.

Keno Elumbaring, Project Assistant for DOST-TFBM Programs said the project supports the rebuilding of Maranaos' livelihood.

The beneficiaries include the home-based IDPs currently staying within Iligan City, Cagayan De Oro and other areas of Lanao del Norte.

"This is part of DOST's support to rebuilding and reorganizing the loom weavers affected by the conflict in Marawi City," Elumbaring said.

The target beneficiaries will undergo skills training on weaving and hands-on activities.

DOST will also help in the production and promotion of local hand-woven crafts. A loom weaving equipment will be provided to the beneficiaries including the installation of loom weaving machines in the identified sites.

"DOST will monitor and assess the beneficiaries if they are able to improve and enhance their skills in handloom weaving," Elumbaring added.

The project implementation includes the setting-up of weaving center within selected areas in Marawi City and its neighboring communities, which were also affected by the siege.

The DOST is a member agency of the Task Force Marawi's Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood. It targets to preserve the cultural and artistic value of the weaving industry among Marawi residents.

‘Tibayanihan Crew’ to help rebuild their community in Marawi City

(/dcb, PR)

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Almost two years after the liberation of Marawi City from ISIS-inspired terrorists in October 2017, evacuees from ground zero or the most affected area of the siege still remain displaced in transitional shelters and in other nearby towns. The problem of unemployment and the delay in rebuilding their homes continue to be a challenge.

Some evacuees face difficulties due to the open drainage in Area 1 Transitional Shelter in Sagonsongan, Marawi City.

“Our drainage here remain uncovered since the time it was constructed. We already documented 40 children who accidentally fell in the drain. Some were hospitalized while others were treated at home for minor injuries,” said Saripada L. Pacasum, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of Lanao del Sur.

Other stakeholders like government agencies and non-government organizations also face difficulties on how to solve the problem.

“There are a lot of needs. Sometimes we get overwhelmed. But we are blessed because we have partners like Republic Cement. We are thinking of ways on how we can help the community and at the same time provide alternative source of livelihood,” said Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda, Executive Director of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Training the Crew

To address these urgent needs, Republic Cement and PBSP partnered for the project called “Marawi Tibayanihan: Rebuilding Homes for a Stronger Marawi.”

“We are funding the project to train construction workers especially masons to make their work more safe and sound. We call them the Tibayanihan crew. Aside from providing income, we are also helping ensure the steady supply of cement. We are manufacturing a cement called Mindanao. This will be exclusively distributed for the rehabilitation of Marawi City,” said Renato C. Sunico, president of Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.

The Tibayanihan crew who were trained on carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical wiring, welding and masonry, will be engaged in the rehabilitation of homes in Barangays Bubonga and Raya Saduc and the covering of drainage in Area 1 Transitional Community.

“The project trained us on how to build stronger homes that are structurally sound and on how to be safe at work. They provided us personal protective equipment like hard hats, gloves, boots and shirts. I am happy because I can now repair my house and my neighbors’ homes. Aside from helping, the project will provide an opportunity for us to earn for the services that we will render. We are also excited for TESDA certification because it will prepare us for bigger construction projects” said Dimard Fahad, trained Tibayanihan crew from Barangay Raya Saduc, Marawi City.

“This is a good start for the Tibayanihan crew. The Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) will take note of this. Our Building and Reconstruction Team could possibly hire them in case we need more workers,” said Professor Mary Joy Yuson, Executive Assistant representing TFBM Assistant Secretary Felix Castro, Jr.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur also showed interest to help and include them in their pool of skilled workers.

“Tibayanihan came from two words. Tibay means strong. While bayanihan means helping each other. In order to recover, we need to be durable in terms of our trust to others and our faith to Allah. We cannot do this alone. We need everyone’s help,” said Laguda.

“Helping our fellow Maranaos rebuild their lives redounds to building a stronger Republic,” adds Sunico.

First lady governor of Maguindanao proclaimed

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed outgoing Mayor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Datu Abdullah Sangki town as the governor-elect of Maguindanao province on Thursday afternoon.

Sangki-Mangudadatu made history as the first-ever lady governor of the 46-year-old province after winning over his closest rival, Freddie Mangudadatu, by more than 54,000 votes in the province’s 36 municipalities during the May 13 mid-term polls.

“From now on, the welfare of the people of Maguindanao always come first before anything else,” she said when interviewed by reporters here following her proclamation.

The lady governor-elect is the wife of Governor-elect Suharto Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat province, who is the cousin of Freddie Mangudadatu, the outgoing mayor of Mangudadatu town in Maguindanao.

The Comelec’s Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC), which held the 4 p.m. proclamation at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao here, said Sangki-Mangudadatu garnered a total of 256,338 votes to clinch the gubernatorial post as against Freddie’s 201,565 votes.

Also proclaimed were Datu Lester Sinsuat as vice governor-elect of Maguindanao and Datu Ronnie Sinsuat as Congressman-elect of the province’s first district.

Hours earlier on the same day, the PBOC correspondingly proclaimed outgoing Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu as the Congressman-elect of the province’s second district together with his son, King Jazer, as board member for the same provincial district.

Republic Cement helps rebuild Marawi City

By Roderick Abad

Local cement manufacturer Republic Cement is targeting to assist 146 Maranao families displaced by the Marawi siege in rebuilding their homes via a project it is undertaking with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and other firms.

Dubbed “Marawi Tibayanihan: Rebuilding Homes for a Stronger Marawi,” the project, which was launched this month, seeks to help households in three communities in Marawi City.

A total of 44 families in Barangays Raya Saduc and Bubonga will gain from home repair or rehabilitation. Each of them will benefit from a grant for the construction materials, after an assessment of the condition of their homes and the required repairs.

Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc. President Renato C. Sunico said in a statement that the firm will ensure the steady supply of cement needed for housing.

“We are manufacturing cement called Mindanao. This will be exclusively distributed for the rehabilitation of Marawi City,” he said of the company’s blended cement Type 1P conforming to both PNS 63 and ASTM C595.

Ideal for general concrete applications, this construction material will be bought directly from hardware stores and retailers in the war-torn city.

Families who do not have the capacity to pay for labor and materials were prioritized. Under the program, the “Tibayanihan Crew” will render labor services to each beneficiary-family. “We are funding the project to train construction workers, especially masons, to make their work more safe and sound,” Sunico said.

The recruits are victims of the Marawi siege. They were given protective gears and trained in carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical wiring, welding and masonry.

“I am happy because I can now repair my house and my neighbors’ homes. Aside from helping, the project will provide an opportunity for us to earn for the services that we will render,” said Dimard Fahad, trained Tibayanihan crew from Barangay Raya Saduc.

“We are also excited for Tesda [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority] certification because it will prepare us for bigger construction projects,” he added.

With their acquired skills, the building and reconstruction team of the Task Force Bangon Marawi could employ them if needed. Also, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur showed interest to help and include them in its pool of skilled workers.

The project will also involve the construction of a drainage cover Area 1 Transitional Shelter in Sagonsongan. It is expected to benefit some 102 families.

“Our drainage here remains uncovered since the time it was constructed. We already documented 40 children who accidentally fell in the drain. Some were hospitalized while others were treated at home for minor injuries,” said Saripada L. Pacasum, provincial disaster-risk reduction management officer of Lanao del Sur.

BARMM’s 2018 GRDP 2nd highest in Mindanao

By Antonio L. Colina IV (MindaNews)

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – The gross regional domestic product of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) of 7.2% in 2018, the second strongest next to Davao Region’s 8.6%, suggests better economic opportunities for the region under the new governance structure, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro said on last Friday.

“The relatively high economic growth rate demonstrated by the Bangsamoro is an indication of better things to come in the region especially with a new governance structure,” he said.

The successful and peaceful transition from ARMM to BARMM after the ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM) would increase investors’ interest for the region, Montenegro said.

“These are very interesting things to watch out for in the Bangsamoro in the next few years,” he said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the BARMM’s output, although lower compared with the 7.5% registered in 2017, was the fourth highest in the country. Bicol registered the highest at 8.9% while Caraga the lowest at 3.2%.

Montenegro said Mindanao’s output expanded by 7.1% in 2018, surpassing the national average of 6.2%. Services, agriculture, and industry sectors ramped up Mindanao’s growth, he noted.

He said agriculture performed well in 2018, growing by 2.5% in 2018 from 0.9% in 2017.

“This is what we’ve always been pointing out that every time there is an instance in Mindanao where agriculture is able to demonstrate an uptick rate or growth it generally pushed up Mindanao’s overall economy because remember, 40% of Mindanao’s contributions is related to agriculture, 60% of Mindanao’s GDP is related to agriculture,” he said.

Montenegro acknowledged the need to pour in more infrastructure projects in Caraga to drive the growth of the region.

ARMM Archived News

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