Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News July 2016

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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Maguindanao execs see peaceful days ahead for Moro people

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu see “peaceful days” ahead for Moro sectors now that four agencies helping in the southern peace process are led by officials from Mindanao.

Mangudadatu was referring to Emmanuel Piñol, Ismael Sueno, physician Paulyn Ubial and lawyer Jesus Dureza whom President Rodrigo Duterte had enlisted as his agriculture, local government and health secretaries, and presidential peace adviser, respectively.

Dureza, now overseeing the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), hails from Davao City. He is a known friend of political and rebel leaders in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“How can we not see a `white dove’ at the end of the tunnel? Three of these four officials, Secretaries Piñol, Sueno and Ubial, are from Central Mindanao? They grew up with Moro friends,” Mangudadatu said in a statement emailed late Monday.

Sueno is from South Cotabato while Piñol and Ubial are both residents of North Cotabato. Both provinces are within the immediate periphery of Maguindanao, which covers 37 towns in two congressional districts.

“All of them also understand deeply the decades-old Moro issue and the importance of the ongoing bilateral peace initiatives of Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” Mangudadatu said.

The MILF has more than a dozen government-recognized enclaves, now dubbed “peace zones,” in the adjoining North and South Cotabato provinces, which are both inside Region 12 and in Maguindanao, a component area of ARMM.

Even ARMM’s newly-appointed local government secretary, lawyer Kirby Abdullah, was elated of Duterte’s having entrusted key national posts to Piñol, Sueno, Ubial and Dureza.

Abdullah, great grandson of the late Datu Udtog Matalam, post second World War governor of the now defunct Empire Cotabato Province, said he finds so “promising” Sueno’s being at the helm now of the central office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

He said he is convinced that Sueno, as South Cotabato resident, is aware of the peculiarities of governance and politics in Moro towns.

“Moro communities have a distinct kind of politics, one so connected with traditional norms and religious practices. We are thankful to have a national DILG secretary who is from South Cotabato. We will support his stewardship of the agency,” Abdullah said.

The functions and powers of DILG were devolved to the ARMM government in the 1990s yet based on the region’s first charter, the Republic Act 6734 that got amended and became R.A. 9054 via a plebiscite in 2001.

Mangudadatu said he and the league of mayors in Maguindanao were as elated with Duterte’s having referred to Mindanao’s Moro territory as “Moro country” in his first state of the nation (SONA) address on Monday.

“That was a strong acknowledgement of our centuries-old identity as a people, distinct in cultural groupings, but one in dream --- peace and prosperity,” Mangudadatu said.

Duterte, while in Buluan, Maguindanao last July 22, said he would sustain the gains of Malacañang’s diplomatic dealings with the MILF, whose main camp is located in Sultan Kudarat municipality in the province.

Duterte had told local officials during his sortie in Buluan he would honor the government’s two peace compacts with the MILF, the Oct. 15, 2013 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.

“What is there to worry about? There is an assurance from a national chief executive who is from Davao City in Mindanao and who has a mix of Lumad and Maranaw bloods,” Mangudadatu said.

Duterte was in Buluan on July 22 to launch the 4.5-megawatt biomass power plant built jointly by the family of the governor and a Chinese firm, the Green Earth Enersource Corp.

While talking to local officials, Duterte ordered Piñol impromptu to provide a P300 million grant for the propagation of oil palm trees in Maguindanao, in support of Mangudadatu’s agricultural thrusts complementing the normalization agenda of the government-MILF peace overture.

The newly-established biomass power plant will operate using only wastes from oil palm trees as fuel to run its power-generating turbines.

Piñol, who accompanied Duterte to Buluan, said the grant can be released immediately after all documentary requisites had been complied with.

DAR-Maguindanao to convene multi-agency PCIT, LGUs and tribal groups

(PBChangco/PIA 12)

COTABATO CITY (PIA) — Expressing support to the Duterte Administration’s agenda on poverty alleviation and peace and development, the Maguindanao Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (PARO) assured to double its efforts in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

PARO-Maguindanao Bai Cabayan Bacar stressed the importance and critical part of CARP implementation that involves the monitoring and assessment of livelihood assistance to farmer-beneficiaries recipients of Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) under the CARP and organized into Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries to ensure gainful economic productivity.

During the 2nd quarter Maguindanao Provincial CARP Implementing Team (PCIT) meeting here recently, PARO Bacar raised the issue on the letter invitation dated July 4, 2016 her office received July 18 from a tribal group to witness the installation of monuments (mohon) in the boundaries of so-called ancestral domain lands claimed by said group.

In reaction, Office on Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC) in Maguindanao coordinator Rolando dela Cruz said, there was no prior coordination made by said group with the Office of the Regional Governor-ARMM and OSCC for said activity.

Dela Cruz said, it was learned that the ancestral domain claim by said group invoking the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).

As this developed, Bacar said, while the CARP involves distribution of alienable and disposal lands, there is an urgent need to resolve the issue to determine and establish the territorial and administrative jurisdiction on ancestral domain claims in Maguindanao preventing land dispute and conflict that may arise caused by overlapping of land titles.

“IPRA defines ancestral lands as those that include but not limited to land in actual, continuous and open possession by indigenous cultural communities and its members,” Bacar cited.

DAR-Maguindanao is initiating a meeting of concerned agencies – DENR, OSCC, DILG, DAR including affected LGUs with tribal groups in the area on August 2 in a move to discuss and clarify implementing pertinent laws and policies that govern ancestral domain claims, Bacar said.

“We received the letter only last July 18 eh dated July 4 pa ang sulat kung kelan nagsimula din iyung paglagay nila ng mohon. We need to discuss and address this issue upang magkaliwanagan para iwas gulo,” Bacar said.

ARMM, Maguindanao relief teams extend aid to IDPs due to Army, MILF/BIFF clash

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

DATU UNSAY, Maguindanao, July 29 (PNA) -- The humanitarian arm of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Maguindanao provincial social welfare office have started validating the names of displaced families following government forces clash with Moro rebels in Maguindanao.

Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao said overnight the area known as "SPMS" box, where clashes erupted Thursday, has been quiet.

"Overnight, the area was silent and we hope it will continue," Dimaukom told reporters. "A cessation of hostilities was in effect," he added.

Fighting erupted after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) traded shots with government forces in the towns within "SPMS" (Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona), breaking a 2003 GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement.

Colonel Lito Sobejana, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the clash erupted when elements of the 105th and 118th base command fired at government forces.

But the MILF claimed the Army encroached an MILF identified communities while pursuing outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Sobejana denied the MILF claim and admitted that the Army's 34th Infantry Battalion troopers clashed with a combined MILF and BIFF forces.

There were no reported casualties in the incident but it sent about 3,000 families to safer grounds, according to ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Team (HEART).

ARMM-HEART has already sent relief teams to distributed emergency food packs to affected families, now housed in at least 15 public schools.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu has directed his provincial medical team to extend aid to affected families.

ARMM has new DILG regional secretary

(DILG)

PASIG CITY - The DILG-Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has a new regional secretary in the person of Atty. Noor Hafizullah “Kirby” M. Abdullah.

Abdullah, the former Focal Person of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM HEART), replaced Atty. Anwar A. Malang, who was appointed as the new Regional Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

During his stint at ARMM-HEART, Abdullah led the conduct of coordinated actions by all regional line agencies to limit the impact of disasters in the region.

On his first few days as regional secretary, the new regional secretary immediately met with the key regional officials, provincial officials, and employees to impart his style of leadership and his expectations from the DILG-ARMM team.

He introduced himself as a person with autocratic way of leadership who was more on instructions and the employee will just provide the details needed.

“Work ethics should be a very important practice in the office,” he said. “There should be no competition sincere there existed diversity of positions, to avoid misunderstanding and insecurities.”

“Cooperation and helping each other are significant working attitudes that the personnel should embrace in the department,” he stressed.

OCD-ARMM trains Lanao Sur coastal inhabitants on disaster preparedness

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur (PNA) -- Should a tsunami hits this coastal town in Lanao del Sur, at least some 25,000 residents know what to do, disaster officials said Tuesday.

This was the assessment of disaster officials after a successful "Community Flood/Tsunami Drill" conducted by the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) on Monday.

More than 250 locals have participated in the day-long activity, according to Engr. Amier Ashan Aplal, OCD-ARMM operations section chief.

The event was also participated by major stakeholders in disaster preparedness, that included members of the Balabagan municipal disaster risk reduction and management council, local governments of Barangays Banago, Narran and town police office, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Army's 6th Infantry Battalion.

Aplal said that during the drill, the spot has suffered a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in which later on have generated tsunami along the coastal areas.

“The drill seeks to strengthen the mechanism for coordination, as well as the interoperability of key players. We would want to intensify local communities’ preparedness and increase the commitment of local government units in building safe communities,” Aplal said.

“Many thanks to the Civil Defense team for spearheading this drill, to our partner agencies, and also to the populace of Balabagan. Let us continue to help one another in achieving zero casualty,” said Edward Ryan Barrete, MDRRMO of Balabagan.

Myrna J. Angot, OCD-ARMM director, said one of the objectives of the drill is to pursue “community resiliency” and to test the local government’s preparedness in responding to emergency situations.

“This is to prevent hazards from having such a devastating impact and that enhancing the resilience of the community in disasters like earthquake and tsunami is a responsibility of all authorities and stakeholders involved,” Angot said.

Balabagan is a sixth class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 25,139 people.

It is one of the many coastal towns of Lanao del Sur facing the Moro gulf which in 1976 experience the devastating tsunami following a magnitude 7 earthquake.

Rainer Amilbahar, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Cotabato Station head, said the drill was significant because it provides the locales the basics of what to do during calamities.

“The drill was aimed at increasing and ensuring the safety of the people during and after the incident, evacuation of the affected constituents, with focus on women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities,” Amilbahar said.

After the the tsunami drill, Aplal told the residents that in the case of flooding incident, is important to be prepared to evacuate before water levels rise and potentially cut off evacuation routes.

The “Community Flood/Tsunami Drill” is still part of the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month 2016 that carries the theme “"Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa."

ARMM celebrates 2016 National Science and Technology Week in Lamitan City

(PNA),RMA/TPGJR

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan, July 26 (PNA) - Thousands of students, science and technology (S&T) enthusiasts, local government officials, and representatives from other sectors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) convened at the Datu Dizal Cultural Center in Lamitan City, Basilan to celebrate this year’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW).

Sec. Myra Mangkabung of the Department of Science and Technology in ARMM (DOST-ARMM), Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay representing his wife, Mayor Rosita Furigay, spearheaded on Monday the opening of the NSTW.

Mangkabung said the NSTW, which is anchored on the theme “Juan Science, One Nation,” highlighted the significant contributions of S&T to national development and conferring recognition and appreciation to outstanding scientists, researchers, inventors and institutions.

“The annual celebration of the NSTW is the premier event of the science community. It is celebrated since the 1950s and the various events--like forum and exhibits--are the perfect venues for technology developers and inventors, as well as S&T service providers and clients, to interact and pursue potential opportunities,” Mangkabung said.

She said the NSTW was designed to optimize every opportunity to make S&T a way of life for all Filipinos.

She also encouraged the participants to focus on inventions that would support the campaign of the regional government in poverty alleviation.

She said that the gains and strides of S&T in the fields of science, engineering, mathematics and other technical disciplines would let the people understand its vital role in improving the people’s quality of life, protecting the environment, and contributing to national development including poverty reduction.

Mangkabung and Atty. Lorenzo Reyes, chancellor of the Mindanao State University (MSU) of Tawi-Tawi, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA), during the opening program, for the establishment of a food innovation center.

Mangkabung said the innovation center, located at MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, is a facility aimed at producing value-added agricultural and fishery food products by becoming the hub for innovation and technical support services for food processing industry in the ARMM.

“Scientific concept and ideas, invention, phototyping and patenting must be supported to encourage a generation of new knowledge and discoveries. Research, development, and extension programs must be enhanced and afforded by all our researchers and end-users,” she added.

The NSTW is celebrated every third week of July through Proclamation No. 169 issued in 1993.

It aims at recognizing the contribution of science and technology in the development of the country and get support from the public and private institutions for its sustainable development.

OWWA meets stakeholders in Matanog, Maguindanao

(ORVRivera-PIA12 with report from OWWA-ARMM)

COTABATO CITY, Jul 25 (PIA) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration –Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OWWA-ARMM) recently held a stakeholders meeting in Matanog, Maguindanao.

OWWA-ARMM Regional Director Amy Crisostomo said the meeting is part OWWA’s effort to ensure that the welfare and well-being of OFWs and their families are promoted especially in the grassroots level.

“It is part of OWWA’s mandate to bring its programs and services within the reach of OFWs and their families,” Crisostomo said.

Local government officials as well as barangay captains joined the activity held at the Matanog Municipal Hall.

The team from OWWA presented its programs and services which include social benefits, education and training benefits, workers welfare assistance program, repatriation and reintegration program and other social services and family welfare services.

The activity also served as a refresher course for the Public OFW Desk Officers assigned in Matanog.

Meanwhile, Crisostomo said they are set to conduct similar stakeholders meeting in other municipalities in the autonomous region throughout the year.

This is to ensure the effective and continuous delivery of OWWA’s Programs and Services, the official added.

Nutrition in the first 1,000 days crucial for a child’s future

By Apipa P Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) – The quality of nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life plays a critical role in the child’s health and development.

The first 1,000 days is identified as the golden window of time that sets the stage for the child’s development and long-term health, said Recthie Paculba, member of the Modern Nanays of Mindanao, during the Ozor ka, Ranao! radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Marawi City.

“Good nutrition during this period is crucial as it can have significant impact on the child’s well-being,” she said.

The first 1,000 days starts on the day of conception until the child’s second birthday.

Paculba said the first way to ensure the child’s nutrition is for mothers to have a healthy-balanced diet, particularly rich in iron, folic acid, iodine and other vitamins and minerals to support the baby’s growth and brain development during pregnancy.

The child’s long-term health, including his predisposition to infections and diseases, can be shaped by the quality of the mother’s nutrition since the baby is solely dependent on the mother for nourishment during the pregnancy stage, she said.

Further, mothers should get pre-natal and post-natal services and give birth in a birthing facility to ensure safe delivery.

Breastfeeding, starting from the first hour of birth, also gives the baby the best start of life to life.

Breastmilk is a complete food for the baby for the first six months because it has antibodies that fight-off illness and build immunity, she further said.

Paculba said the baby should also be given complementary foods, in addition to breastmilk, from six months to two years to support their rapid growth and development.

Modern Nanays of Mindanao is group of mothers who pushes for smart parenting. It’s a budding group comprising of stay-at-home moms, working moms, professionals, and advocates believing in the importance breastfeeding, baby-wearing and cloth-diapering.

PRRD orders release of Php300-M for agri-projects in Maguindanao

(PNA), PGL/NYP

BULUAN, Maguindanao, July 23 (PNA) -- Impressed by his inspection on Friday of the 4.5-megawatt biomass power plant here, President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered the release of Php300 million to boost agri-industrial projects in this developing agriculture–based municipality.

“I am willing to pour in Php300 million for this,” the President said during his speech referring to the project following his tour and scrutiny of the power plant operation.

Minutes later, however, he said “Ibigay na agad yan (fund) bukas. Wala namang problema dahil nandyan naman ang pera,” to the delight of both local officials and farming group representatives in the area.

The facility, for one, runs on oil palm leftovers that makes it eco-friendly and new source of renewable energy.

He mentioned that the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat are two of his priority areas for development in Mindanao.

Duterte has tasked Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Emmanuel Piñol for the dispensation of the specific fund.

For his part, Piñol said the financial assistance for the local agri-sector would be immediately released as ordered by the President after proper government documents are signed and completed.

Piñol, while talking to newsmen after the plant’s inauguration program, said his ongoing inventory of the DA’s operation from the previous Aquino administration resulted to finding the availability of a P2 billion standby fund for farmers and another P2 billion of undistributed farming equipment, among others.

ARMM joins 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week celebration

(BPI/APB/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 22 (PIA) --- The Regional Human Rights Commission in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RHRC-ARMM) led the regional celebration of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 21.

Lawyer Abdulnasser Badrudin, RHRC-ARMM chairperson, said the program was primarily aimed at raising better awareness of the rights of persons with disability (PWDs).

We are showing our deepest concern to PWDs being one of the most vulnerable sectors of society,” Badrudin said.

He said discrimination against PWDs results in their low participation in economic and social activities in society.

Republic Act 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, defined PWDs as “those suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”

It further mandates that five percent of all casual, emergency and contractual positions at the departments of Social Welfare and Development; Health; Education, Culture and Sports; and other government agencies, offices or corporations engaged in social development shall be reserved for disabled persons.

“The RHRC-ARMM advocates the inclusion of PWDs (normal activities of society). We aim at creating a condition wherein PWDs will feel they belong, are respected, and valued whoever they are,” Badrudin added.

Several humanitarian partners and government offices that advocate for the welfare of PWDs also took part in last Thursday’s program.

Assistant Secretary Dayang Carlsum Jumaide of ARMM’s Department of Health said the region’s Health and Wellness Program for Persons with Disabilities is designed to promote the highest attainable standards of health of PWDs and prevent them from developing health conditions associated with disability.

One of its milestones, Jumaide added, is the development of service packages for PWDs specifically for disability due to chronic illnesses, learning disability and cerebral palsy.

Miguel Antonio Limon, regional programs coordinator of the National Council on Disability Affairs, also gave a lecture on government laws that promote the rights of PWDs.

Across the country, there are 1.4 million PWDs comprising 1.57 percent of the total population based on the 2010 National Census.

The same census noted 34,775 PWDs in the ARMM, of which 17,875 are male and 16,900 are female.

Meanwhile, several private individuals, who declined to be named, donated wheelchairs for PWDs during the event.

They also manifested continued support for PWDs. The celebration bears the theme “Karapatan ng Maykapansanan, Isakatuparan... Now Na!”

First Moro-built power plant to energize Maguindanao

By MOH SAADUDDIN

BULUAN, Maguindanao: After decades of power woes in the Muslim region, the province of Maguindanao unveiled the first Moro-built power plant in the country that will stabilize electricity supply in this town.

The 4.5-megawatt bio-mass power plant built by the Mangu­dadatus was aimed to beef up the supply not only in their hometown Buluan but also in the entire province.

Maguindanao only had on 2.6 MW in the past years.

The new facility underwent testing and initial operation the past weeks using bio-mass materials gathered from oil palm farms in Maguindanao, according to former Buluan town mayor Ibrahim Mangudadatu.

Empty bunches of palm trees are among biodegradable materials that are being used for the bio-mass power plant.

Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are among the provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that are constantly affected by power supply fluctuations

The province hosts the second-largest lake in the country that produces 60 percent of power to the Mindanao grid through the seven Agus hydroelectric energy plants.

Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the ARMM for the opening of the bio-mass power plant on Friday.

Mangudadatu added that Duterte wants to see for himself the operational and structural features of the power plant before he delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25.

“Simple but meaningful activities for the President’s visit” are being prepared for what is considered a historic event for the people of Maguindanao, according to the governor.

OCD-ARMM holds contingency plan formulation training for Lanao Sur disaster workers

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, July 20 (PNA) -- The Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) has intensified its disaster preparedness capacity by providing training on disaster risk reduction from Lanao del Sur, officials said today.

Gilmar Lao, OCD-ARMM information chief, said the training, dubbed as "Contingency Plan Formulation Workshop" was provided to members of the Lanao Sur provincial disaster risk reduction and management council members, technical staff and other concerned agencies.

The four-day activity participated in by at least forty disaster first responders were held today and ends tomorrow at a hotel here.

Also present were the so called four pillars of DRRM thematic areas with its representatives from Department of Interior and the Local Government (DILG-ARMM), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ARMM), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) together with the Department of Health (DOH-ARMM).

Myrna J. Angot, OIC of Civil Defense-ARMM, said contingency planning is significant for the local government units so they are incapacitated to respond properly come any disaster in their areas and that they will be able to formulate better disaster risk reduction and preparedness plan.

“Inclusive topics in the four-day training workshop were the orientation on the Philippine DRRM system, the Incident Command System (ICS), the cluster approach, and finally, the crafting of their own contingency plan,” said Angot.

Angot said the country is vulnerable to disasters due to its geographic location, where it frequently experiences natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.

“Not only that, because here in the autonomous region we also experience recurring human induced or man-made disasters,” said Angot.

Mauricio Civiles, Focal Person of DILG-ARMM, said when these disasters occur, it is important that the LGUs have mitigated the impact of disasters and its effects.

He added the DRRM, as instructed by newly installed Regional Secretary Noor Hafizullah M. Abdullah, shall be a top priority.

"But due to the increasing complexity of disasters, assessing the situation of the impacted areas, as well as determining the numbers of affected population and addressing the priority needs pose as challenges,” said Civiles.

Col. Tatar Boriongan, PDRRMO of Lanao del Sur, said the contingency plan aims to strengthen and enhance the operational capabilities of the local government units in responding to emergency situations in the localities of Lanao del Sur.

“We also emphasize the importance of pre-emergency planning throughout every stage of a crisis and a well-managed response that will optimize the strength and capacities of our various Lanao Sur DRRMCs,” said Boriongan.

Boriongan also told participants the importants of contingency plan for it involves situational awareness through risk assessment, identification of hazards, its root causes as well as capacities and vulnerabilities, preparation of locally-driven hazard maps in the absence of scientific maps, intelligence and information assessments, hazard analysis, scenario-building for a worst-case situation, with a predictive response element to an impending emergency by ensuring the availability of necessary resources, and by establishing a mechanism for rapid decision-making founded on authority, responsibility and accountability.

The DRRM is one of the priority programs of ARMM Regional Governor, Mujiv S. Hataman, where the autonomous region is frequently experiences both human induced or man-made and natural disasters.

The training forms part of the observance of National Disaster Preparedness Month this July.

Cotabato City named among country’s 10 most competitive cities

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- Local officials and business leaders here lauded the recognition this city has earned from a national award giving body, making it more business-friendly.

Cotabato City has been named one of the country’s 10 “most competitive cities” in a search by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Massive economic development has been ongoing since 2010 with malls and other business enterprises emerging and continuing to provide local employment.

Vice Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi and DTI-12 regional officials received on Thursday the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index Award during the Fourth Regional Competitiveness Summit in Manila.

Sayadi was city administration since 2010 while his brother, reelected last May, was the city mayor.

The search for most competitive cities and municipalities is a joint annual undertaking of the NCC and DTI.

The feat Cotabato City has been getting lately has fascinated lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman of the Regional Board of Investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mastura said both Cotabato City and ARMM are moving forward with one benefiting the other. This city, although not part of ARMM, is the provisional capital of ARMM.

“The nearby ARMM provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao generated the most business investments in recent years, in billions of pesos. Cotabato City is an immediate part of the logistical supply chain of these investments,” Mastura said.

In a statement, DTI-12 said Cotabato City ranked first in government efficiency, from among the three core pillars, the basis for the selection of competitive cities and municipalities. It is the NCC that ranks the cities and municipalities that qualify for the competitiveness awards.

Aside from Sayadi, also present during the awarding were DTI-12 Regional Director Ibrahim Guiamadel, chair of the regional competitive council and businessman Raymund Salangsang and DTI offcial Ethel Gumana.

Salangsang, a private entrepreneur, and Gumana, who is also a ranking employee of DTI-12, are both members of the RCC.

Aside from Cotabato City, also named most competitive cities were Naga in Camarines Sur; San Fernando in Pampanga; Legazpi in Albay; Bacoor in Cavite; Antipolo in Rizal; Ilagan in Isabela; Imus in Cavite; Tagum in Davao del Norte; and San Pablo in Laguna.

According to Bai Sandra Siang, Kutawato Muslim Business Chamber chairperson, said the inclusion of Cotabato City in the list of the country's most competitive cities will boost businessmen's confidence. "This will help prove to people outside of Cotabato City that we are moving upwards now, rising from conflicts and underdevelopment,” said Siang, operator of a hardware store in Cotabato City and deals with trading contacts in the regional capital, Koronadal City, in nearby Mindanao provinces, in Metro Manila and abroad.

ARMM execs, Sulu town mayors sign MOA on anti-poverty program

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, July 18 (PNA) -- Local and regional officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for anti-poverty initiatives in three of Sulu's municipalities, officials said Monday.

Dubbed "Apat Dapat" program, the government will focus its program to 600 of the region's poorest families.

Signing in behalf of the regional government were ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia, Regional Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., ARMM's Interior and Local Government Secretary Noor Hafizullah Abdullah, and Executive Director Engr. Baintan Amapatuan of the region’s planning and development office.

Signing in behalf of the local government units were Madzhar Loong of Parang town, Hatta Berto of Pandami and Nivcanezar Tulawie of Talipao.

Alamia said the regional government earmarked Php240 million for the implementation of the program in 2015-2016. There will be 15 pilot municipalities – three municipalities in every province of the ARMM – with 40 of the poorest families as beneficiaries in every municipality.

Also included in the pilot towns were Matanog, Barira and Datu Anggal Midtimbang in Maguindanao; Balindong, Lumba-Bayabao, and Taraka in Lanao del Sur; Tuburan, Tipu-tipo, and Sumisip in Basilan; and Tandubas, Simunul, and Sibutu in Tawi-tawi.

Alamia said the program is under the ARMM’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development Program for Sustainable Growth and Equity to help strengthen local governance and empower communities in the region.

It will supplement the ongoing poverty alleviation initiatives both of the regional and national governments.

She explained that it will follow the "four for the poor formula", which zeroes in on the four most basic needs of a family, namely: food, water, light, and shelter.

Major interventions include ensuring families are housed in secure homes with water and sanitation system and a basic lighting facility while providing them with the means to expand their livelihood and achieve food sufficiency along the way.

DPWH-ARMM allots P5.6 billion for BaSulTa

By Nonoy E. Lacson

Zamboanga City – The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) has allotted P5.6 billion for infrastructure projects in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).

DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha A. Loong said yesterday his department has allotted P2.4 billion for the province of Basilan, P2.1 billion for Sulu and P1.1 billion for Tawi-Tawi for the construction of roads, bridges, repair of seaports and construction of deep wells in the remote areas of the three provinces.

“We are doing this to promote peace and development in these remote areas of the three provinces with the hope of eradicating the insurgency problem in their community,” Loong told newsmen here.

He said DPWH-ARMM was also concentrating in the development of a “trans-central road” in Basilan province that will cut the travel time of commuters going to Isabela and Lamitan cities.

“We have already completed the circumferential road in Basilan province last year, and we will now concentrate on the construction of trans-central road that would cut travel time from Maluso town to Lamitan City and Isabela City by more than an hour,” Loong explained.

The construction of vital road networks in Basilan province and in Sulu will also help locals earn a living by engaging themselves in transportation services, like operating a passenger vans, habal-habal motorcycles and passenger jeepneys.

The DPWH-ARMM will also construct potable water supply facilities in different towns in the three provinces, to uplift the living condition of the Muslims in the area.

ARMM to strengthen communication management among communities during disasters

By Apipa Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) conducted a meeting to strengthen communication management among communities in the region during disasters.

The meeting-orientation on Information Management and Community Engagement was held in Cotabato City, July 13, and participated by different line agencies and various humanitarian organizations operating in the ARMM.

Ramil Masukat, ARMM Disaster Risk Reduction officer, said Information Management and Community Engagement aims to bring together key actors to develop an effective and coordinated mechanism for accessible sharing of information with people before, during and after emergencies.

He said it will also ensure the meaningful participation of the communities in the process.

On the other hand, Mukhtar Farah, head of UN OCHA sub-office, stressed the importance of communication with communities during disasters and conflicts.

He said it is a tool that improves humanitarian responses to the needs of communities who have been displaced either by natural disasters or conflicts.

A gallery walk and plenary session also took place during the meeting followed by a discussion on the common services tool on communications, accountability and community participation.

ARMM beneficiary of PHP4-M medical aid from Oxfam

(PNA), FFC/NYP

COTABATO CITY, July 15 (PNA) -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is a recipient of a PHP4-million medical equipment assistance from Oxfam, a European Union-funded aid agency, which aims to reduce the number of maternal deaths in the region that registered one of the highest in the country to date.

In simple turnover ceremonies held Thursday at the region’s provisional office compound here, lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, received from Justin Morgan, OXFAM country director, the donated items comprising fetal dopplers, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, examination tables, delivery tables, and pediatric stethoscopes, among others.

The aid forms part of the five–year OXFAM-Availability of Reproductive Care Health Services (ARCHES) project that targets to improve the well-being of population in the region through better and equitable access to reproductive health services.

“The new administration under President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to fully implement the Reproductive Health Law, and hence we look forward to more women benefiting from these services, especially in areas such as the ARMM,” Morgan said.

Alamia said the assistance is a big help to the region identified for having a huge backlog in health services resulting to high mortality rate among mothers and infants alike.

“The problem in the past between the Department of Health (DOH) in Manila and DOH–ARMM is ‘structural’ as we have been trying to bridge the gap particularly on establishment of medical buildings, equipment and personnel,” Alamia said.

She said the region could only afford to contribute 25 percent of the gap needed for medical services in the region, as the DOH main office in Manila should have filled in the 75 percent difference for basic medical services of the government.

In a statement, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said that he recognizes the need to ensure that reproductive health services are made available for all, especially for the disadvantaged.

“We accept with gratitude the medical equipment that Oxfam and their partner organizations are donating to the ARMM in order to ensure that local governments can provide better reproductive health services,” the governor stressed.

In October 2012, a breakthrough legislation acknowledged as the Reproductive Health Care Act of 2012 for the ARMM was sealed, establishing a reproductive health care program in the region that promotes natural family planning method and child health care facilities.

Moro fronts join anti-drugs fight, agree on info sharing with gov't

By Lilian C. Mellejor and Funny Pearl A. Gajunera [(PNA), LAP/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, July 14 (PNA) -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are fighting another war -- the war on illegal drugs, and this time working alongside the government's law enforcers.

This developed after the MILF signed on Tuesday an agreement of cooperation with the government on suppressing the proliferation of illegal drugs throughout the country.

This move by the MILF verifies the organization’s concern on the illegal drugs problem. The MILF’s Central Committee passed a resolution to take immediate action against the drug problem.

In a press conference here in Davao City on Wednesday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno said, “We saw the willingness of the MILF in eradicating drug problems in their area. They saw how drugs affected their lives.”

Both the government and the MILF formalized five provisions in conducting the anti-illegal drug operations in respect to all existing protocols under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and all agreements signed between the GPH and the MILF.

But Sueno clarified that the cooperation is limited only to information sharing on the illegal drug trade within the area of the MILF.

The cooperation was sealed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) on the campaign against illegal drugs in MILF affected areas. It was signed by the chair of the MILF CCCH Butch Malang, MILF AHJAG chair lawyer Abdul Dataya, and their counterparts in the GPH, BGen. Glenn Macasero and BGen. Arnel De La Vega.

Sueno said the MILF will help the law enforcement authorities in identifying drug peddlers or pushers operating within their area.

“The MILF will operate in their area in the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). The MILF and the government forces will have a sharing of notes on the alleged drug personalities,” Sueno told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday morning.

Under the agreement, the parties agreed that all government anti illegal drug units of shall coordinate with the AHJAG and CCCH.

“Information exchange/sharing, which includes, but not limited to, the submission of the MILF of a list of drug personalities identified in its area subject to validation of the law enforcement agencies,” the agreement states.

It is also agreed that the MILF can conduct information drive on the ill-effects of illegal drugs in the MILF affected areas as part of its demand reduction activities and such information drive may be conducted in coordination with the barangay, municipal, city, or provincial anti-drug abuse councils.

The MILF will also conduct information drive on the ill-effects of illegal drugs in their jurisdiction as part of its demand reduction activities. This will also be in coordination with the barangay, municipal, city or provincial anti-drug abuse councils

Meanwhile, The MNLF earlier offered to join the campaign but wanted that their members first be trained on evidence gathering.

MNLF chief negotiator Randolph Parcasio recalled they joined the anti-drugs operations in Davao particularly Barangay 23-C but cases filed against suspects were dismissed due to failure of providing evidence.

Tawi-Tawi to have stable power supply

By Ali G. Macabalang

Cotabato City – An international energy source-developing firm will be installing an off-grid power outlet in Tawi-Tawi for the existing local electric cooperative to fully energize the southernmost island province, officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said.

Amir Mawallil, ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information executive director, said the Kaltimex Rural Corp. (KREC), an affiliate of an Indonesian-Indian firm known for quality off-grid power development ventures in the world’s largest Muslim nation, has decided to provide a P400-million eight-megawatt diesel-fed power barge in Tawi-Tawi.

The firm will eventually expand the project capacity in the future through co-generation with a solar power plant that will also be replicated in the two neighboring island provinces of Sulu and Basilan, Mawallil said.

The KREC has secured a power purchase agreement from the Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative for it to provide the diesel-fed in the island province, known as the country’s “back door,” according to a relevant statement from lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman of the ARMM Regional Board of Investment (RBOI).

Mastura said the “Sulu archipelago suffers from perennial brownouts (with) no running electricity at all, in many of its parts,” and the coming in of the KREC will be a great relief initially for Taw-Tawi and eventually for Basilan and Sulu provinces.

He said majority of villages in the southernmost archipelago “literally grope in darkness because electricity coverage is sporadic,” adding that “some communities have no access at all to electric power.”

“Even if there is electricity in some parts, there is a long-running energy deficit (compounded by) lack of additional power generation capacity and dilapidated equipment. Thus, they (three island provinces) suffer regular brownouts with only a few hours of power in a 24-hour cycle,” he added.

Hopefully, Mastura said, the Kaltimex project will improve the “dire situation” in the island provinces, all components of ARMM.

ARMM ranks as the second poorest region in the country due to sluggish economic growth spawned mainly by insufficient electricity supply and partly by sporadic armed conflicts, according to government statistics.

Lanao del Sur, also a component of ARMM in the mainland, hosts Lake Lanao – the country’s second largest fresh water body that provides most of Mindanao’s hydroelectricity requirements through its Agus River’s six dams. Yet, majority of the province’s 39 towns have been experiencing brownouts for years due to protracted issues involving the local electric cooperative, the local government units and concerned national entities, sources said.

DPWH-ARMM to build more water projects in far flung communities

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, July 12 (PNA) -- More water project facilities will come even to the farthest towns and villages in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the next three years, officials said Tuesday.

In the next 35 months, more than 100 water supply facilities are to be constructed in far-flung communities, according to Sec. Don Loong of the ARMM Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

From 2012 to date, about 46 water supply projects have been completed across the region which is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“That is a feat this administration can talk about proudly, so unprecedented,” said Loong.

"All projects are open to media scrutiny or civil society organizations monitoring infrastructure projects in the region," ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said on Tuesday.

Loong said the water projects are already in the pipeline for implementation.

“We will ask the communities in areas where these projects are to be implemented to help monitor the construction works based on implementation programs and funding schemes,” Loong said.

The ARMM government has allocated PHP745 million for its 72 water supply projects that were programmed in 2015.

“We are confident, barring all undue circumstances, such as bad weather and security issues, we can accomplish more during the second term of Gov. Hataman,” Loong said in a statement released to the press here.

Hataman was reelected to his second term in the recent May polls.

OCD–ARMM urges local media to disseminate disaster warnings using Muslim dialects

By Noel Y. Punzalan [(PNA), LAP/NYP/]

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, July 11 (PNA) -- The Office of Civil Defense – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD – ARMM) urged on Monday various media entities here to disseminate disaster warning information and updates in various forms of Filipino – Muslim dialects to be easily understood by various tribal communities in the region.

Myrna Angot, OCD–ARMM officer-in-charge, admitted that even their office is having a hard time translating some English terms to local dialects on time as warning reports should be transmitted swiftly and accurately to the communities in the region.

“Weather terms like Low Pressure Area and Tropical Depression for example are hardly understood in the grassroots level,” Angot said during the OCD – ARMM Tri – Media Forum on Basic Risk Reduction and Management held at their office inside this camp.

The ARMM comprises the Muslim-dominated provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-tawi and Basilan.

Apart from Tagalog and Cebuano, prevalent among the local dialects in the region are Maguindanaon, Maranao, Chavacano, Yakan, Tausug, and Samal, among others.

Members of the media vowed to do everything they can to help the OCD–ARMM in its predicament.

Media personalities here who could speak Maguindanaon vowed to ask colleagues stationed in other areas of the ARMM to do their share of conveying the warnings to communities reached by their stations like in the Zamboanga peninsula.

On July 16, the OCD ARMM will spearhead a “Flood Drill Simulation Exercise in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao in consonance with July’s observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month.

Angot said the flood drill is significant and timely considering that the country has entered the rainy season and threats of flood are imminent.

“For one thing, not only lives and property will be saved, but more effective emergency management shall be enabled only if we are prepared,” she said.

The simulation exercise has for its theme “"Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa".

The OCD–ARMM, which is in charge of logistical management, forms part of the region’s Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team, a cluster of crisis management government – line agencies that includes the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Department of Health; Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education, among other committee members.


Hataman reappoints 3 more cabinet members

(PNA), PGL/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao today announced that he had reappointed three more of his cabinet secretaries who helped him manage the ARMM regional government.

Reappointed to their posts were Regional Secretary Amihilda Sangcopan of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-ARMM) and Regional Secretary Kahal Kedtag as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ARMM) and Hexsan Mabang as administrator of the Polloc Port in Maguindanao.

Mabang is also overseeing the operation of ARMM’s Regional Economic Zone Authority.

Hataman who was reelected during the national and local elections in May is to serve his second term until June 30, 2019.

Regional cabinet officials were "co-terminus" with Hataman and have submitted courtesy resignation before June 30 to allow the regional government free hand to reshuffle his official family.

Earlier, Hataman reappointed Lawyer Laisa Masuhud Alamia as Executive Secretary, Chief of Staff Rasol Mitmog, Jr. and Amir Mawallil as director of ARMM Bureau of Public Information.

ARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Basilan starts construction of new provincial gov’t center

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Officials launched on Friday the construction of a new, colossal provincial government center in Barangay Santa Clara in Lamitan City in the island province of Basilan.

The P250 million worth project shall be bankrolled by the executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman led local officials in officiating Friday’s groundbreaking rite for the project, to be implemented by the office of engineer Soler Undug, chief of the Basilan District Engineering Office (DEO).

Also present in the event were Basilan’s newly-elected governor, Jim Hataman, the new congressional representative of the island province, Jum Akbar, and spouses Rose and Roderick Furigay, mayor and vice mayor of Lamitan City, respectively.

Akbar, a political ally of the Hatamans, was governor of Basilan for three consecutive terms, which lasted from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2016.

Hataman said the office of the provincial governor and the local government unit of Lamitan City will help oversee the project.

The center will accommodate all provincial offices of line agencies of the ARMM regional government.

The building shall be constructed on a prime lot inside what used to be a government agricultural facet, the 6,000-hectare University of the Philippines Land Grant, which has rubber and orchard farms now owned by thousands of Muslim and Christian agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Furigay, now in his second term as vice mayor of Lamitan City, said he is grateful to the ARMM governor for deciding to put the facility at Barangay Sta. Clara, home to mixed Muslim and Christian settlers.

“This facility is to become a strong semblance of government, an icon of governance in the province,” Furigay said.

Furigay said he is certain Undug and his subordinates in the Basilan DEO can implement the project according to specifications and timeframe.

“We don’t have problem with the way these engineers implement the costly infrastructure projects in Lamitan City and nearby towns,” Furigay said.

Lamitan City became the new capital of Basilan when residents of the nearby Isabela City, the former seat of the provincial government, voted against the inclusion of their barangays into the expanded territory of ARMM during a plebiscite in August 2001.

Isabela City, while inside Basilan, remained under Administrative Region 9 despite its being inside an ARMM component province.

Besides Basilan, ARMM also covers Maguindanao and Lanao de Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

NHMFC to introduce Islamic Housing Finance

(PNA), SCS/PR/RSM

MANILA, July 8 (PNA) -- The National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) plans to extend housing finance to the Filipino Muslim Community as it aims to introduce a new program for Islamic Housing Finance.

Being the country’s Secondary Mortgage Institution (SMI), NHMFC is continuously developing and introducing new products to cater to the underserved market, which has no access to financing under traditional housing finance programs offered by other institutions.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data of 2000, around 5.06 percent of the total Filipino population are Muslims. As of 2015, NHMFC estimates that there are about 5.8 million Muslims living in the country, with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) having the largest population of 3.4 million, followed by Region 12 with 1.2 million.

This is a great opportunity for the Philippines to tap the Muslim market, as the World Bank reported in 2015 that the Global Islamic finance market is worth USD 3 trillion.

The program will further benefit the Muslim community which is having difficulty in accessing housing finance under the conventional method, because traditional financing does not offer Shariah compliant housing loans.

Army commander opens camp for Muslims to celebrate Eid'l Fitr

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao (PNA) -- Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, based here has opened the military's predominantly Christian Army division for an Eid’l Fitr congregational prayer Wednesday.

Maguindanao local officials and Muslim Religious Leaders (MRL) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were elated with 6th ID’s gesture.

Captain Joann Petinglay, 6th ID spokesperson, said it is first time for the division to host an outdoor Eid congregational prayer for Muslims from around the camp and nearby towns.

The 6th ID covers the Muslim-dominated Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces as well as predominantly-Christian provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

“We have 800 Muslim soldiers in the division and our commander wants to show to them that religions should not set boundaries among us. We are all siblings, believing in one God,” Petinglay told reporters.

Pangilinan, who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1983, was deputy commander for the southern peace process of the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City before he assumed as 6th ID commander.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said the Eid’l Fitr initiative of 6th ID, whose officers are mostly Christians, will convince the Bangsamoro people of its desire to attain genuine peace in its area of assignment.

“It’s something so laudable. Worthy of emulation by other major military units in the autonomous region,” Hataman said.

Pangilinan has said the 6th ID recognizes the importance of interfaith camaraderie among its Muslim and non-Muslim personnel.

“It will help ensure the efficiency of our peace and development programs for all sectors, the Christians, the Muslims and the Lumad people inside our area of responsibility,” Pangilinan said who also gathers soldiers and their families inside the camp during Christmas season.

The Eid’l Fitr marks the culmination of the month-long Ramadan fasting season.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

ARMM inhabitants to celebrate Eud'l Fitr with congregational prayers, charity

(PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, July 5 (PNA) --- Muslims across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and elsewhere in the country and around the globe will celebrate Eud'l Fitr (end of fasting month) on Wednesday.

This after top clerics and Islamic scholars failed to see the crescent moon on Monday night.

The ARMM’s Regional Darul Iftah (RDI), also known as “House of Opinions,” said the Eud'l Fitr will be celebrated Wednesday which was earlier declared national holiday by President Rodrigo Duterte.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Tuesday said an open field congregational prayer will be held in many places across the region composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

For the past 30 days, Muslims fast at daytime during the Ramadhan.

Fasting, practiced by physically fit Islam believers, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Exempted to fast are children below 10 years old, the elderly, pregnant mothers and the sick.

The other pillars include absolute obedience to Allah, praying five times a day facing west, giving of zakat (alms) to the poor, and performing the hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah in Saudi Arabia for those who can afford the cost of travel.

“This year’s Ramadhan is symbolic because it came immediately after the May 9 synchronized national, local and the ARMM regional elections, which caused tension and partisan divides among our people,” Hataman said in a statement.

“Emerging spiritually victorious from the fasting season, we shall draw strength from the essence of Eid’l Fitr to continue with much vigor and dedication our reform initiatives and dedicated governance which we started in 2012,” Hataman added.

During the celebration, Muslims are expected to be charitable to the less fortunate brethren and sisters.

Muslim religious leader to conduct moon sighting to determine end of Ramadan

(PNA), BNB/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, July 4 (PNA) -- The Regional Darul Ifta’ in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RDI-ARMM) has set a moon sighting across the region on Monday night to confirm the end of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar where Muslims are obliged to fast from dawn until sunset. It is considered to be the holiest month in Islam.

Alim Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, RDI-ARMM executive director, said they have provided a set of Newtonian reflector telescope to each of their five provincial offices in the region and to the Darul Ifta' and Ulama of Zamboanga Peninsula to aid in the moon sighting.

He added that they’ve also designated focal persons for the moon sighting in Maguindano, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and are in close coordination with associates in the neighboring countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore.

Mujahid said the sighting of the crescent moon marks the start of the month of fasting.

He said they want to resolve the usual disagreement that Muslims in different parts of the country have regarding the start and end of Ramadan.

The RDI-ARMM had earlier organized a convention of Muslim leaders, scholars, and legal experts and representatives of Muslim organizations across the country in May 24 in Zamboanga City to discuss matters about Ramadan.

Mujahid said Ramadan is a "revival of faith, strengthening of relationship with Allah, and of respect and generosity.”

"Ramadan presents us a meaningful message. This revives our imaan (Islamic faith), strengthens our relationship with Allah, and restores broken ties with our relatives," he said.

Once the crescent moon is sighted tonight, Eud'l Fitr is celebrated Tuesday. "If not, it will surely be on Wednesday," Mujahid said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared , Wednesday as special non working holiday to celebrate Eid'l Fitr nationwide.

The spirit–and food–of Ramadan

By Ayunan G. Gunting (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Muslims worldwide are in the midst of Ramadan, the holy month of rigorous fasting, prayers and reconnecting with the Quran. In the Philippines, where Islam is the second largest religion, 60 percent of the Muslim population live in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. It begins on the waxing of the hilal or crescent moon and runs for 29 to 30 days. This year Ramadan started on June 6.

Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast and the end of Ramadan, is an important holiday in Islam. The Philippines is the first Catholic country to make it a public holiday, which will fall on July 8.

“Ramadan is much more than just abstinence from eating and drinking. It is a time to purify the soul, refocus our attention to God and practice discipline and sacrifice,” says Princess Omerah Lucman, former secretary of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

Sawm, one of the five Islam pillars, means fasting from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We also fast from negative thinking,” adds Lucman. “Our eyes shouldn’t see anything bad. Our ears should not hear gossip or idle talk. We refrain from speaking hurtful and obscene words. Our feet should not take us to places of materialism. Couples refrain from physical intimacy. We can then fully devote our time to strengthen our faith.”

This is also the month to contemplate on one’s responsibility in this world.

“We make a total commitment by submitting to the will of God. This is the real jihad, the holy war, against our own sins,” notes Lucman.

During Ramadan, Muslims eat two important meals. Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal before the fajr, the morning prayers. Lucman says her household gets up as early as 2:30 a.m., to load up on energy for the day. Two pieces of dates are essential to keep headaches and dizziness at bay as a result of low blood sugar during fasting. The family eats rice and bread and some protein such as fish.

Delicacies

Dusk marks maghrib or night prayer time. The official cannon roar breaks the 14-hour fast with the iftar, the evening meal. Families and friends unite in Ramadan and enjoy the spread of local delicacies.

“We break the fast with dates and salad but it ends up with a fiesta,” says Lucman. “More important is the feeling of brother-and sisterhood.”

Other acts of worship are focused during this month: the shahada, the declaration of faith; salat, the five daily prayers; zakat, or almsgiving; and hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.

In the middle of Ramadan month, Department of Education-ARMM organized the Ramadan Night Activity at ORG Complex in Cotabato City. The event called for Muslims to recharge their spirits.

“This blessed month has always been a time for a deep reflection and abstinence as we observe the monthlong fasting and submit ourselves in devotion to the grace and mercy of Allah,” says ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman. “We strengthen our faith, mind and character with each day of fasting, fervent prayers and acts of kindness.”

Meanwhile, Muslims are girding for the feast of Eid al-Fitr. On this day, they put on their finery, attend communal prayers and perform zakat al-fitr (donating food to charity).

They give gifts and cards inscribed with Eid Mubarak, meaning “A blessed festival,” which is the Christian equivalent of “Season’s greetings.”

The Maranaos prepare dishes to celebrate the occasion. Kuning or turmeric rice with bay leaves is served on such special occasions.

Piyaparan is chicken or yellow fin cooked in coconut milk, shredded coconut meat and palapa, a garnish of caramelized shallots, ginger and chilli peppers.

The Indo-Malay influence is evident in the beef rendang or beef kalderata with coconut cream and curry.

The celebratory desserts consist of dodol, made from violet rice, sticky rice flour, coconut milk, sugar and durian; tiyatug or rolled rice noodles, deep fried in sugar; and browa, small light sponge cakes.

Amin Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, who is a member of Yakan and Tausug royalty, said her clan always eats grilled fish and seaweeds salad with local delicacies called pitis, daral and putlih mandi with kahawa sug for their Ramadan meals.

Among the Maguindanaons, all-time favorites are Pinangat, pinagyaw a alwan, sinina kambing and sindol with gata na saging, sago, langka, ube.

OCD-ARMM kicks of National Disaster Consciousness Month celeb

(PNA), PGL/NYP/EOF

DATU ODIN, Maguindanao, July 2 (PNA) -- “Preparedness saves lives and properties from calamities.”

With these words, the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has started massive information drive and training as the region prepares for the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM)this July.

The kick-off ceremonies were held at 6th Infantry Division Training School (DTS) on Friday.

”There is no substitute for being prepared, informed and ready for any eventuality,” Myrna Angot, OCD-ARMM regional director, said in Filipino during the launching.

Accompanying Angot and OCD-ARMM officials was Colonel Bernie S. Langub, DTS chief and disaster expert.

During the launching dubbed as “Showcasing of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Equipment,” Angot and Langub separately explained to reporters the equipment and the capability of disaster responders.

“In fact, it is a must that we make serious investments in prevention and preparedness, including our various drills for it is a contributor to the systematic efforts aimed at increasing disaster resilience,” said Angot.

Leo Alicias, DRRM Division Chief, said the responsibility for disaster risk management does not lie solely in the hands of disaster managers.

“This is a concern of everybody, and it should come down from the grassroots. We must be empowered to make decisions which reduce risk into various platforms. For one thing, the country has a comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management law since the birth of RA 10121,” said Alicias.

Alicias added that the DRRM putting into practice may seem a complicated task to others, but said there are basic steps in order to break and generate effective approaches in reducing risks.

“Leaders of government line agencies are now focusing on local needs, such as capacity buildings that are cost effective. With increased capacity, local government units can find support from their community for disaster risk reduction programs,” Alicias added.

Langub has emphasized on the importance of the water search and rescue training as one of the priority programs under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.

“It is very significant that we have a pool of responders who are well trained and that we are also well equipped when it comes to DRR. Right now, you have witnessed how prepared we are,” Langub said.

Langub enough knowledge is very vital so responders could lessen the threats to life when rescuing victims or people affected by disasters.

“They will be more aware on how to find hazards, and at the same time learn the mechanisms on personal safety and survival, and basic life saving. We would want to strengthen the capacities of our rescue teams in the ARMM,” Langub said.

Angot said the month-long activity will highlight the following activities: Medical First Responders (MFR) Training, Media Forum on DRRM, Poster Making Contest, 2nd Quarter National Simulation Earthquake Drill (NSED), Flood Drill for Sultan Kudarat, Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training for the Mainland Provinces, Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop (CPFW) for Lanao del Sur, DRRM Government Orientation for Regional Agencies, Multi-Hazard Simulation Exercise, and the Gawad Kalasag 2016 Desk Evaluation.

To fully inform the public about disaster preparedness and awareness, Angot urged ARMM government agencies to display tarpaulins in observance of the Disaster Consciousness Month.

The NDCM 2016 theme is, "Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa."

Cotabato City PNP to implement curfew on minors starting tonight

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, July 1 (PNA) -- Starting tonight, a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will be implemented in Cotabato City's 37 barangays, the new city police director here announced.

Taking a cue from Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr, Supt. Danilo Reyes, reinstated city police director, said the police will fully implement the 2003 City Ordinance No. 2212 with the participation of social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Reyes said minors, those whose ages are from 18 years old and below, will no longer be allowed to roam around from 10 a.m. until 5 a.m.

"This is to protect the children from harm and bring them out of illegal drugs and other crimes," Reyes said.

In Davao City, parents of minors found by police and DSWD will be detained for negligence of their duties to protect their children.

At night, the police will patrol major city and barangay streets to check on minors. Once they are found, they will be told to go home and stay with their parents.

For first offense, the minors will be allowed to go home. For second and third, they will be penalized along with their parents by doing community service.

"They will not be detained, their parents may be but the minors will not be imprisoned for violating city ordinance," Reyes told reporters.

Reyes said this is the direction of the Philippine National Police under Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, that is to protect the children.

Crimes involving minors are on the rise due to lack of parents' guidance in the city. Many of whom are found during the wee hours at internet cafe and public places, putting them in danger.

"We treat them not as criminals but our children and we are their foster parents as the city ordinance is implemented," the police said.

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