Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News May 2017

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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.

ARMM allots PHP77-M for Marawi humanitarian assistance

By Edwin O. Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY, May 30 (PNA) -- The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has earmarked about PHP77 million for emergency response to the crisis in Marawi City, Gov. Mujiv Hataman said Tuesday.

Speaking in a radio interview, Hataman said the regional government is making it sure nobody among the internally displaced persons go hungry.

"No one should be left without food and water, we should show to our IDPs that the government is here to protect them," Hataman said in Filipino.

As of Monday afternoon, the ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) has recorded 17,007 families or 84,460 individuals affected by the hostilities after terrorists stormed Marawi City a week ago.

Of this number, 67,870 persons are housed in 38 designated evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur and Iligan City while 2,633 families or 16,590 individuals are staying in the houses of their relatives in the province.

When human exodus was reported in Marawi City the morning after the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group stormed the city, Hataman immediately formed a Health Team, headed by DOH-ARMM Regional Secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr, to address the health needs of displaced families while government forces were pursuing the armed men.

The regional governor said the funds use in emergency response and post-conflict intervention came from the ARMM Special Purpose Fund of the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG).

Hataman said the ARMM humanitarian response is being conducted in partnership with other government agencies in Northern Mindanao. ARMM crisis management center has also confirmed at least 3,717 stranded individuals and 59 missing persons.

It also recorded at least 100 persons dead as fighting entered its 8th day Tuesday.

This includes 61 Maute and Abu Sayyaf extremists, 20 government troops and 19 civilians.

He said 33 soldiers were injured and are now being treated in various hospitals in Iligan City.

Hataman: ARMM relief workers intensified aid distribution

By Edwin O. Fernandez (PNA) # DEFENDREPUBLIC

COTABATO CITY, May 29 -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) emergency and disaster officials are attending to more than 84,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various evacuation centers in the cities of Marawi, Iligan and Cotabato , said Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman.

Speaking during a news conference here, Hataman said that as of Monday, the Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) listed a total of 84,460 IDPs either staying in designated evacuation centers or in their relatives’ houses in nearby towns in Lanao del Sur or Iligan City and in this city.

Its crisis management center has also confirmed at least 3,717 stranded individuals and 59 missing persons. It also recorded at least 100 persons dead as fighting entered its seventh day.

He said 33 soldiers were injured and are now being treated in various hospitals in Iligan City.

Hataman said the ARMM Crisis Management Committee, headed by ARMM Vice Governor Al Rashid Alonto-Lucman, was on top of the emergency response in partnership with other government relief agencies in Northern Mindanao (Region 10) and Iligan City.

Quoting Lucman, Hataman said personnel from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) had helped and assisted 13,522 IDPs and would be dispatching more relief operations to identified evacuation centers.

Marawi, one of the two cities in ARMM, has a population of more than 200,000 based on the 2015 census, a vast majority are Muslims.

It is home to the main campus of the Mindanao State University (MSU), a premier state university that attracts thousands of students all over Mindanao and the rest of the country.

The terror and displacement have made the observance of the fasting month of Ramadhan unusually somber and taxing for the city’s vastly Muslim population.

OCD sets up Regional Command Center

By Francis Wakefield

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Sunday announced the creation of a Regional Command Center in Marawi City to help people affected by the conflict.

The OCD, together with various National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies will be part of an Inter-Agency Regional Command and Coordination​ Center for ARMM and Region X towards a centralized provision of assistance to address the evolving crisis situation in Marawi City and other areas in Mindanao.

NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo B .Jalad said the command and coordination center established in Iligan City will be managed by inter-agency focal persons from the Response Clusters of ARMM and Region 10.

“Civil protection is paramount in situations like this. In every hazard may it be natural or human-induced, we are committed to serving our nation by protecting the communities,” Jalad said.

Jalad said the OCD is pushing for the Amendatory Bill on Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Law elevating the Agency towards enhanced Civil Defense and DRRM frameworks.

DSWD family food packs continue to arrive in Mindanao

(LSJ/PNA)

MANILA, May 27 — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday that family foods packs (FFPs) being sent by its Central Office in Quezon City and other field offices continued to arrive for distribution to displaced families due to armed conflict in Marawi City.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, in her Facebook account, posted that about 26,700 FFPs had arrived so far to assist those in the evacuation centers.

Based on the latest DSWD’s DROMIC (Disaster Response Operation and Monitoring Center) report 9,236 families or 43,912 persons have been affected in 20 barangays in Regions X and ARMM.

Of the said number, 1,017 families or 2,817 persons are still staying in 13 evacuation centers while 8,219 families or 41,095 persons are staying outside the evacuation centers by staying temporarily with their relatives or friends.

To date, there is a total of PHP 1,024,030,820.26 standby funds at the Central Office and Field Offices.

Of the said amount, ₱1,007,432,193.67 is the available Quick Response Fund at the Central Office.

The welfare chief said that providing assistance to the displaced was really another big challenge for the department.

“Malaking hamon po ang pagtugon dito para sa Kagawaran ngunit kung sama-sama ay malalampasan natin ito,” Taguiwalo said.

ARMM okays PHP33.5M shipping yard project in Tawi-Tawi

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Regional Board of Investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM) has approved the construction of a PHP33.5 million shipping yard in Tawi-Tawi province.

RBOI Chairperson Ishak Mastura on Thursday said the board granted the Bongao-based J. Sayang Shipping Lines, Inc. to establish a shipping yard to provide services to traders from the ports of Basilan, Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Polloc, Maguindanao going to Malaysia and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Mastura said the shipyard could accommodate 494-metric ton (MT) capacity general cargo vessels.

“The PHP33.5 million cargo transport project will directly create 23 jobs. The project will aid local traders since there will be easy transport facilitation of their cargoes for market distribution,” Mastura said.

“The traders are engaged into exporting of agricultural and marine products to Malaysia, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries as well as importing various consumer commodities from the same nations,” he added.

He said the project could enhance the country’s economic relations and open new trade avenues with the nation's neighboring countries in the ASEAN.

“We need more of this kind of projects since the Philippines have opened its doors for business especially that the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration is now in full swing. The ARMM also has strong business linkage with the members of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), so we have to take advantage of these opportunities available to us,” he said.

The registration of J. Sayang to RBOI will allow the company to avail of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives being provided by the government.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said that having more players in the shipping industry could mean ARMM’s active participation in the ASEAN business cooperation.

“We should work together and position the region in the ASEAN map to fully benefit from the economic integration,” he said.

“ARMM has a lot of advantages especially the island provinces which are strategic trade locations considering its geographic vicinity to our neighboring countries, the existing centuries old barter trading and the cultural similarities,” he said.

“We need a strong local business community to make this happen and succeed in the process while the government will provide the necessary support mechanisms like providing incentives,” he added.

DOH-ARMM vaccinates 300,000 women of reproductive age

(EOF/PNA)

COTABATO CITY, May 25 – The Department of Health (DOH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has announced that about 300,000 women of reproductive age, from 15 to 49 years old, have received free tetanus and diphtheria vaccines as of this May.

In a news conference, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr, DOH-ARMM secretary, said the region’s health providers have exceeded the target number set by the DOH central office.

“The central office’s target is at least 80 percent, but we in the region vaccinated 88 percent of women of reproductive age,” Sinolinding said.

He said the vaccinations started in January last year in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan, as well as in the City of Marawi in Lanao del Sur and its surrounding municipalities Kapai, Ditsaan-Ramain, Marantao and Saguiaran.

“We are committed to continue to eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) in the entire region,” he said.

The data were officially released Wednesday afternoon as DOH-ARMM launched its locally produced advocacy videos on MNT.

“We make sure that all women of reproductive age can avail of free vaccination,” Dayang Carlsum Sangkula- Jumaide, DOH-ARMM assistant secretary, said.

“This is free from the government,” she said, urging the public to prevent the sale of vaccines. “Please report to our office if the health providers sell the vaccine.”

The 2015 assessment by the DOH in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund showed that the country’s MNT high-risk areas are in the ARMM.

“That was in 2015, we have improved the health of our reproductive women,” Sinolinding told reporters later.

To reach these high-risk areas, DOH-ARMM implemented supplementary immunization activities to cover reproductive age women with three rounds of vaccination against tetanus.

“Through these vaccinations, women, when they give birth, and their newborns, will be safer from MNT,” Sinolinding, an ophthalmologist, said.

As part of the campaign to eliminate MNT, DOH-ARMM launched a locally produced advocacy videos that carry the message of four “Ps” of immunization namely, "Proteksyon, Pagmamahal sa Sarili at kay Beybi, Pagpapahalaga sa Kalusugan, and Pagtitipid."

“We hope that through the advocacy videos, at least we can influence women to take the initiative to go to the health centers, or approach a skilled health care provider for an actual vaccination,” Sinolinding said.

“We hope that by viewing the videos, the women will realize the importance and benefits of immunization and will voluntarily submit themselves to vaccination as well as become self-reliant in seeking basic health services, including immunization,” said Erlyn Rodrigo Hampac, immunization program coordinator.

ARMM opens PHP20M Basilan Islamic school

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

SUMISIP, Basilan - Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Monday led the turnover of an Islamic school building worth PHP20 million to the community here in a move to help curb the spread of radicalism and propagate the true teachings of Islam.

“The infrastructure will not only be used to impart the correct teachings of Islam, but also a reformation center, particularly for out-of-school youths, who are the potential recruits of terror groups. They should be brought to this kind of school,” Hataman said.

Hataman, who has been in the forefront together with Islamic scholars in the fight against radicalism, said the madaris — an Arabic term for Islamic educational institution — is one of their initiatives to address misinformation about Islam.

“We have discussed this with the Ulama Council in Basilan. As part of the anti-terror campaign, the building of formation centers in Islamic schools will help counter the propaganda of the terrorist groups,” Hataman pointed out.

Basilan is the birthplace of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The newly built madaris is located in the coastal Barangay Buli-Buli, which is the center of this town in the southern part of the province.

The Islamic school occupies a one-hectare property with more than 10 classrooms that could accommodate 1,000 college and high school students.

At least 16 Muslim clerics regularly provide Islamic studies, particularly Islamic Theology, as well as guest instructors from nearby Isabela City to teach specialized Islamic subjects.

Hataman said the Islamic school will also be equipped with vocational and agri-fishery courses.

“This is not a simple kind of school, but also a reformation center in Sumisip,” Hataman said.

“This will be replicated not just in the cities of Lamitan and Isabela but also in other provinces in the ARMM,” he added.

Abdulmuhmin Alyakanie Mujahid, Basilan Ulama Council vice chairperson, welcomed the establishment of the new facility, saying this will boost their campaign to stop extremism and radical ideology.

“The inauguration of the madrasa undertaken by the Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman is very much welcome and highly appreciated by the Basilan Ulama Council and Regional Darul Ifta of ARMM since madrasah education is one of the most effective approaches in saving our young people from the darkness of ignorance and the crudeness of extremism and terrorism,” he said.

Part of the teaching mode is to standardize the curriculum of the Islamic studies.

“In June, there be will a Madaris Summit in Basilan. The purpose is to gather the more than 1,000 ustadz across the island province of Basilan to talk about the curriculum and module that will be used in their teachings,” Hataman said.

ARMM readies new classrooms for senior high school students

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

MALUSO, Basilan, May 23 - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Tuesday said that most of the 167 new buildings for senior high school students across the region would be ready in time for the opening of classes in June.

“We are turning this over to the communities because we want these facilities to be used in the upcoming school year which will start in June,” Hataman said as he led the turnover of seven newly-completed school buildings on Monday and Tuesday.

The seven school buildings were among the nine newly-completed projects, with six classrooms each or a total of 54 classrooms. The nine projects cost PHP70 million.

Among the high schools that have new buildings are in the city of Lamitan and in the municipalities of Maluso, Tuburan, Hadji Muhtammad, Tipo-Tipo, Sumisip and Lantawan.

“We also simultaneously hired more or less 300 teachers in Basilan,” Hataman said.

For the entire ARMM, the regional government has allocated a little over PHP1 billion to build 167 new school building or 816 classrooms.

The bulk of the new school buildings for senior high school students are in the provinces of Maguindanao with 75 and in Lanao del Sur with 51. The rest of the 41 new buildings are spread in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Hataman said the new school buildings would accommodate at least 1,000 senior high school students in the ARMM.

On top of these, Hataman said they are also building a 12-classroom agri-fishery school for high school and college students.

“Many are still struggling in the rural areas to get proper education,” he said, referring to the move of the regional government to build more classrooms in far-flung areas.

MAP to promote Armm as investment destination

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Monday, May 22, signed a manifesto expressing its support to promote the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) as an investment destination.

Stipulated in the manifesto, the MAP urged its members and its various committees to integrate action plans in coordination with the Armm’s Regional Board of Investment (RBOI) to achieve this objective.

The MAP “manifests long term commitment to advocate policies for a competitive and stable policy environment to encourage and enable private sector investments in the Armm and to support productivity programs/projects in tourism, seaweeds, mariculture, tree crops, basic infrastructure, energy, education, research, SME (small and medium enterprises) among other opportunities under the RBOI IPP (Investment Priorities Plan).”

The group’s commitment came after RBOI-Armm Chairman Ishak Mastura told the country’s top managers that the region is ready for more business investors.

He said that all businesses, including foreign investors, are welcome in Armm.

He said that prospective investors in the region want access to financing from local banks to balance the risk.

“If you give access to financing, we will find the investors for you,” he said.

Mastura added that currently, banks hardly lend to private businesses in Armm even as big companies based in the National Capital Region are not coming in.

The MAP officials represent the county’s biggest businesses including major financial institutions.

Among those present in the dialogue between the RBOI-Armm and the MAP are former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan, former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, former Board of Investments chief Melito Salazar, former Tourism secretary Mina Gabor, former Socio Economic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito, and American Chamber of Commerce Philippines president John Forbes.

The MAP’s committees cover Agribusiness and Countryside Development, Trade, Investments and Tourism, Energy; Management Development, and Traffic, Transportation and Infrastructure.

Muslim leaders condemn 'involvement' of Imam in Maute group operations

By Merlyn Manos, Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas (ALG, GMA News)

Muslim leaders on Sunday condemned the supposed involvement of an Imam who was reported to have assisted in the operations of the Maute group in Lanao del Sur.

According to United Imam of the Philippines National President Alem Amate, Muslim leaders must safeguard the correct preaching of the Islam belief in mosques and madaris (Islamic schools).

Muslim leaders from Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro, and other nearby areas are currently in Iligan City for the first ever Imam Summit.

Amate's remarks come after an Imam was reported to have assisted the Maute group and brought them to Paigapo, Lanao del Sur after the military offensive against them in the town of Butig.

This was mirrored by former Basilan Gov. and congressman Gerry Salapuddin, who noted that leaders should make sure that the youth is taught the correct and proper teachings.

Aside from this, Amate also noted that attendees of the summit discussed the impact of the government's drive to shift towards federalism, as well as its campaign against illegal drugs.

On turtle island in Tawi Tawi, communing with the amazing Green Sea Turtle

By Kaye Imson (News5)

BAGUAN ISLAND, TAWI TAWI – After a six-hour bumpy ride at sea, one jaunts ashore at Baguan.

This inhabited but still pristine isle of an island, in what’s popularly known as the Turtle Islands Group, well, it’s “on that side” of Celebes Sea – actually closer to Sandakan, Malaysia than to Bongao, or Simunul, or Sitangkai.

This part of our Philippine Archipelago is a favorite breeding ground of the Green Sea Turtle.

In local generic parlance, the Pawikan.

Arriving at night, our News5 team right away encounters several Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) waddling ashore to lay their eggs on the warm sand, more than a hundred soft-shelled orbs of life from each one.

Depending on the tidal cycle, they wait for just the right time and then catch the high tide to take advantage of a limited window of opportunity to complete the arduous, exhausting yet important but delicate task that will ensure their future.

The high tide enables the turtles, tired from the reverse migration across thousands of kilometers and heavy with eggs, to “get over” obstacles on the shallow seabed that might present rocks and hindrances against their return to sea after making it to the same beach where they themselves emerged as hatchlings several decades ago, to dig the burrow and lay their eggs, and then cover the nest with sand for keeping the prospective succeeding generation from harm.

And the predators, there are many: snakes, crabs, dogs, crows, bayawak (monitor lizards). Oh yes, men of prey, too.

But there are also the other, altruistic kinds of humans – bent on faithfully running patrols, measuring and tagging them for scientific research, and protecting their nests to allow their species to thrive, instead of poaching their eggs or, worse, catching them obtusely for their prized carapace [shell] and meat.

It is said that the hatchlings don’t initially possess fully developed sex chromosomes, such that their gender is largely determined by the so-called pivotal temperature within the nest. Warmer temperatures tend to produce more females, scientists have observed, so global warming can be a factor in the fate of these turtles.

And when the “babies”, at last, pip, or break out, of their shell after a couple of months of gestation, and emerge to breathe their first waft of atmospheric air, they promptly crawl out of the sand after acclimatizing to the ambiance of this whole new world, and energetically scamper straight for the salty sea.

The same sea where uncertainty awaits. For there, beyond the rocky rough seabed lurk equally threatening prey – sharks, game fish like groupers (lapu-lapu). Only a handful out of every few thousand hatchlings are estimated to survive to adulthood, to sexual maturity, and return to this same beachhead five decades hence, to have their chance at laying their eggs, the same way their mothers did.

Amazingly, to this exact same beachhead. For such is the wondrous and wonderful life cycle of the Green Sea Turtle and other marine turtles.

8 Armm towns get ambulance from PCSO

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has donated eight units of ambulance worth P6.4 million to different towns in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

The ambulances were turned over on Wednesday, May 17, to the respective town beneficiaries at the Office of the Regional Government compound in Cotabato City.

Five of the beneficiary-towns are from the province of Maguindanao. These include Matanog, Barira, Paglas, Sultan Mastura, and Datu Hoffer Ampatuan.

The other beneficiaries are Bacolod-Kalawi, Lanao del Sur; Basilan General Hospital, Isabela City, Basilan; and, Sulu Sanitarium Jolo, Sulu.

Armm Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said they are thankful for the PCSO's Ambulance Donation Program.

Alamia said the ambulance service will allow recipient municipalities to better respond to health and other humanitarian emergencies.

Alamia congratulated the eight Armm local government units (LGUs) for qualifying as recipients and for showing not just "the need for ambulance in your municipalities but also the capacity of the local government units to utilize and maintain the ambulance."

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said each ambulance unit costs around P800,000 and the funds for its acquisition come from the PCSO's responsible gaming services that include the expanded Small Town Lottery (STL), Lotto, Keno, and Sweepstakes.

Balutan said that as of November 2016, the PCSO has donated a total of 1,503 ambulance units to beneficiaries that include different LGUs, hospitals, health institutions, state universities and other government agencies.

He said the PCSO has allotted about P37.4-billion funds for its ambulance donation program in 2015 and the allocation was increased to approximately P40 billion in the first quarter of 2016.

He said the PCSO is eager to do more for the less fortunate in the region with the help of the Armm government.

Cebu Pacific reopens Cotabato-Cebu route

(EOF/PNA)

COTABATO CITY, May 16 – Budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air reopened Tuesday its Cotabato-Cebu-Cotabato flights to serve the people of two provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and two others in Region 12.

Present during the relaunching of the flight held at the Cotabato Airport at around 10 a.m. were ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, ARMM-Tourism Secretary Ayesha Dilangalen and other regional and provincial officials as business leaders.

“This is an opportunity for the ARMM tourism industry to flourish,” Dilangalen.

Cebu pacific will serve the route four times a week.

Charo Lugamon, Cebu Pacific-Cotabato spokesperson, said the airline decided to reopen the route due to the rising demand, especially among local officials and business people.

Dilangalen said the new route will also make the region accessible to tourists from the Visayas.

Air travelers from Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in the ARMM region, and the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, both in Region 12, are expected to take the route via Awang Airport, commonly known as Cotabato Airport.

Gokongwei's URC signs 10-ton coffee deal with Sulu farmers

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 16 - Snacks and beverage maker Universal Robina Corporation (URC) is buying at least 10 metric tons of Robusta coffee beans from a Sulu-based agrarian reform cooperative.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Agrarian Reform in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAR-ARMM) said one of its beneficiaries, the Kandayok agrarian reform community's (ARC) People’s Alliance for Progress Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PAPMPC), would supply URC with coffee beans.

Kumalah Elardo, who heads the Panamao-based cooperative, said the “bulk order will comprise around 70 percent of the cooperative’s accumulated harvest over four months.”

She said that Universal Robina’s research group has examined the coffee bean “to make sure the Robusta coffee the company would buy is of high quality.”

The cooperative had been producing processed coffee namely Kahawa Sug Royal Coffee and Kahawa Kubing Royal Coffee, a roasted civet coffee beans.

“These products have garnered recognition from different Asian countries,” the statement said.

“The Sulu Royal Coffee made many successes and recognition in the past under the leadership of Kumalah. The cooperative abides by their ‘pick red’ or ‘picked ripe’ policy in harvesting as well as other disciplined measures to ensure the quality of it produce,” the statement added.

Sulu has been a major producer of coffee beans in the country. Coffee productions, especially in the town of Panamao, have helped farmers.

“Dati nagkakabayo lang ang mga farmers, ngayon nakamotor na sila… semento na rin ang kanilang mga bahay (In the past, the farmers rely on horses for transport, now they have motorcycles… also, their houses are now made of concrete),” Kumalah said.

She said even former combatants in Sulu “left their past life of bearing arms and focused on producing quality coffee.”

“Each member of the household in the community are now involved in the coffee production,” Kumalah said.

The PAPMPC and the Kandayok ARC in Sulu is a recipient of DAR-ARMM ARCCESS project.

The community received common service facilities, agri-enterprise development and rural infrastructure.

Troop seizes ASG camp in Basilan

By AL JACINTO (TMT)

PHILIPPINE Army troops seized an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) encampment on a remote hilltop in Sumisip, Basilan where security forces continue to pursue the notorious militant group tied to the Islamic State (IS).

ASG Sub Leader Furuji Indama was reportedly hiding in the camp but was able to escape before the camp was seized by government forces which has12 makeshift tents capable of accommodating 30-40 bandits.

Soldiers recovered homemade bomb components left behind by the bandits after the firefight as military aircrafts provided close air support while ground troops pounded the area with artillery fire.

“Our troops were able to cordon the enemy due to the accurate and timely indirect fires and close air support delivered by our Artillery and the Philippine Air Force,” Col. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, said.

Meanwhile, Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, quoting reports from Army commanders in Basilan, said about 20 bandits were killed in the clashes since May 11.

She added troops also recovered several foodstuffs and explosives components capable of making 30 improvised explosive device, where the Special Forces Demolition Specialists recovered three live IEDs.

ARMM seeks help of Islamic scholars in fight vs terrorism

By Manuel Cayon

DAVAO CITY—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has summoned its Islamic scholars, the ulama, from across the country to help bolster its fight against terror.

Two of the country’s known terror groups are operating in the area.

The ARMM gathered the ulamas for a three-day summit, from May 12 to 14, in Cotabato City to explore their role in the fight against terrorism.

The ARMM has already recognized the admonition of Islamic leaders that terror groups have used the fundamental line of Islam to persuade Muslims to their side, targeting Westerners and governments supporting the West, in armed attacks and suicide bombers.

Gov. Mujiv Hataman said, “Terrorists use inappropriate interpretations of Islamic principles to strengthen their cause and encourage the commission of vicious acts”.

“We urge our ulama that if we are in the right position, we should move to show what is right, and let’s condemn what is wrong,” he said.

The ARMM Bureau of Public Information said the Philippines ranked 12th among the countries heavily affected by terrorism in the 2016 Global Terrorism Index of the Institute for Economics and Peace. It said the presence of the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Maute group, the country’s leading terrorist groups, in at least two of its provinces brings the ARMM at the forefront of the fight against terrorism in the country.

The ARMM has recently declared war on terror, and it said the three-day Ulama Summit Against Terrorism was an initial step of the ARMM government “to enlist the support of Islamic scholars to combat terrorism”.

The outcome and resolutions made during the summit could not be immediately ascertained. Hataman said, “Muslim scholars can contribute to the advocacy against terrorism by educating people about the true teachings of Islam, most especially on the principles of justice, compassion, peace and harmony.”

The ARMM noted the national government has considered terrorism as an urgent and critical national security threat.

In November last year Maj. Gen. Datuk Wira Zamrose bin Mohd Zain, head of mission of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team Batch 11, said terrorists may have been using the unregistered Islamic schools to raise local recruits.

He said his site visits across Maguindanao and Lanao picked up information about the presence of terror groups.

He said the frequency of reports was increasing, although he said the reports were still mainly coming from the National Police and the Army. “There are no reports coming from civilians or local officials,” he told journalists here who joined the site visit in Maguindanao and South Cotabato of the community projects funded by either the Japanese embassy or the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

He said the Maute group of Lanao del Sur has been mentioned as one of the terror groups. The group has been also flagged as a major operator in the September 2 bombing of a night market in Davao City that killed 15 persons and wounded 71 others.

During the three-day summit, Sheikh Abdulrahman “Abu Hurayra” Udasan, mufti of the Darul-Ifta Bangsamoro, said “there should be a distinction between the normative teaching on Islam based on the glorious Koran and the cultural practices of the Muslims that may or may not be consistent with the normative teaching of Islam.”

He said Islam means peace “and this can automatically counter terrorism and extremism, because peace in Islam is a key of association not isolation; it is a key of accommodation, not marginalization.”

Aside from the ulama, the summit was also attended by local and regional government officials, military and police officials, representatives from civil-society organizations and the media.

Masiu farmers join abaca production training

By Johaniah Yusoph (DAR-LDS, PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur --- With the growing industry of Abaca production in the country, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province in partnership with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority Region (PhilFIDA)-IX gathered more than sixty farmer-beneficiaries from various cooperatives of the Indarapatra Agrarian Community in Masiu town on May 3 for a Training on Sustainable Abaca Production.

The activity aimed to introduce to the local farmers the demand and supply situation of abaca industry as well as its planting and care management.

Engr. Mesug P. Unda , Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of DAR, talked about the essence and impact of abaca production not just in the socio-economic status of the agrarian partners but also in the environment as well.

Alex A. Jaducana, Phil FIDA IX chief of operations, introduced to the local farmers the abaca industry situation, its uses, applications and maximing potentials of investing in abaca farm while Senior Science Research Specialist Ferdinand C. Lazo and Phil FIDA IX Regulatory UnitHead Danilo C. Damiles talked about the Abaca farm care and maintenance and the harvest and post-harvest handling and management, respectively.

Masui Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, on the other hand, encouraged the farmers to keep themselves abreast on modern farming by attending trainings and educational field-tour programs. "Pud ko kapamgay sa lupa na so mga support services para pkhawmanan so sowa iyo sa kang-gilopa na patot mambo a psoportaan iyo so mga lagid aya a galbuk (distribution of lands are coupled with support services to increase your knowledge and skills in farming so you should cooperate in such activities like this)," said Mayor Pangandaman.

The 3-day training ended on May 5 with a educational field-tour at the Municipality of Calanogas to let the farmers see the processed fiber and products that can be produced from abaca and at the Municipality of Malabang to visit the abaca plantation of the Matling Cooperative.

ATI holds orientation on T2-ES22PP in Lanao del Sur

(DA Lanao del Sur/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 12 --- Municipal agricultural officers, local chief executives and their representatives and other agricultural development workers from the 39 municipalities here including Marawi City convened at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol, May 9, for a consultative meeting and orientation on the Tier 2 –Extension Support for the 22 poorest provinces in the Philippines (T2-ES22PP).

The T2-ES22PP, is an extension support and intervention intended for the 22 provinces in the Philippines that have the highest poverty incidence.

It is an initiative of DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, implemented through the Agricultural Training institute (ATI), with the twin goal of improving food security and decreasing poverty. It is implemented on top of the regular programs of ATI.

Azrifa A. Mamutuk, Provincial Supervising Administrative Officer, welcomed the participants and showed gesture of appreciation for the efforts of the ATI-RTC XII and all others present in the meeting , who committed their time in favour of advancing the living condition of the people of Lanao, particularly the marginal farmers.

During the meeting, ATI-RTC XII Center Director Abdul Dir. Daya-an underscored the importance of identifying need-based high impact projects that can be established in pilot barangays to improve agricultural productivity in the rural areas, where the marginalized farmers reside.

ATI Training Specialist Alicia Rose Nebreja presented a briefer on ATI-as the apex agency for Agriculture and Fisheries extension Services , and the Tier 2 Program – its implementing guidelines and the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders.

A workshop on initial screening of pilot barangays per municipality based on set criteria highlighted the meeting.

ARMM economic growth rebounds in 2016

(BPI/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) economy rebounded in 2016 after a slower growth was recorded in the previous year. The region’s gross domestic product (GRDP) last year posted positive 0.3 percent from negative 0.4 percent in 2015.

These figures were released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which conducted simultaneously media briefings nationwide to present the country’s and the regions’ 2016 economic performance.

GRDP is a tool to monitor the economic performance of the region. It covers the value of goods and services the region produced over a specific period of time.

Abubakar Assad, PSA-ARMM regional director, explained that a GRDP rebound means economic activity has improved, in this case from the previous year’s level as monitored by the government.

Official data showed that the growth was driven by the services sector, which comprises 38.0 percent of the region’s economy.

The services sector, also referred to as tertiary sector, covers such businesses as transport, storage, and communication; trade and repair of motor vehicles, personal and household goods; financial intermediation; real estate, renting and similar business activities; public administration and defense; compulsory social sector; utilities; and other services.

The industry sector – or secondary sector – grew 5.7 percent last year from 5.6 percent while agriculture, forestry and fishery – or primary sector – contracted to 56.3 percent from 58.2 percent in 2015.

“We are happy to announce that with the given data by the PSA, ARMM’s economy rebounded from the adjusted data of negative 0.4 percent to positive 0.3 percent, or from negative economic performance to positive economic performance,” Engr. Baintan Ampatuan ARMM's planning and development office chief said.

It was explained that the main reason why the recovery has been slow is because agriculture sector’s contribution to the region’s economy went down, or 56.3 percent last year from 58.2 percent in 2015.

ARMM remains an agriculture-based economy and output has been affected perennially by extreme weather conditions such as drought and flooding, along with displacements of farmers caused by armed conflicts and calamities.

Atty. Laisa Alamia, ARMM's Executive Secretary, noted that new investment in telecommunications is expected this year, which will contribute further to the region’s output in the services sector and should generate new jobs.

She added that the regional line agencies, as well as the local government units, should help in the proper accounting of services, products and projects in the region to achieve an accurate monitoring of economic activities in line with the objective of reducing poverty incidence.

“Yes tumaas ang GRDP ng ARMM in 2016, but that doesn’t mean that we are already contented. It doesn’t mean na na-achieve na natin ‘yungtarget natin, if we follow our regional development plan in the past five years, in the coming six years 2022, meron tayong mga targets – targets on reducing the poverty incidence level,” Atty. Alamia said.

She reiterated the impact of positive economic growth to poverty reduction. The ARMM government has implemented various anti-poverty programs in the region, namely Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy, or ARMM-HELPS; Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment, or BRIDGE; and Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program, or HDAP.

With the bulk of projects in the region, Atty. Alamia reiterated that the region’s economy will continuously grow in the succeeding years.

Armm sets anti-terror summit

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) scheduled the conduct of a three-day anti-terrorism summit to be attended by at least 300 ulama from Armm and other regions.

The summit, dubbed as “Armm Ulama Summit Against Terrorism,” will be held from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14, in Cotabato City.

The event is initiated by the regional government in cooperation with the Armm's ulama in line with the Duterte administration's statement that terrorism is an urgent and critical national security threat.

Armm Governor Mujiv Hataman, as well as religious leaders, underscored that the threat of violence and terrorism could further hamper economic growth in the region.

Hataman noted that recent security-related incidents in some areas could dampen business interest in the entire region even as reforms in the Armm were introduced resulting in initial positive response from investors.

The Maute Group's terror attacks in Lanao del Sur show violent extremism's new trajectory, compounded further by recent developments like the Islamic State's expanding influence outside the Middle East.

The governor said these developments would adversely affect high-impact programs and projects that Armm recently introduced all over the region benefiting mostly conflict-affected and low-income communities.

He said the Ulama leaders have noted that the threat of violent extremism and terrorism is not solely the problem and responsibility of political leaders but of religious leaders as well since many terrorists misrepresent and misuse the Islamic faith to justify violence and terrorism, which tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims.

The ulama emphasized that Islam could not be used to justify violent extremism and terrorism. Reeducation is necessary to rediscover the Islamic faith, specifically the principles of justice, compassion, peace, and harmony, they added.

Working with stakeholders to prevent and counter violent extremism and terrorism is important in this regard, the ulamas emphasized.

President Rodrigo Duterte is on top of the list of invited guests, according to Hataman.

The other invited guests are the ambassadors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Singapore, and the United Nations' representative to the Philippines.

ARMM landowners, coop sign up for cacao production area

By Carmelito Q. Francisco

Local firm Choco Invest Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a group of land owners and representatives of a cooperative for the development of about 1,800 hectares of farms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao into a cacao production area. Carlos A. Vargas, chief executive officer of Choco Invest Corp., said the MoU was signed late last month with the group of Tahir B. Alamada and Sangbaan Macaayong as the representatives of a group of farmers who sought him for the development of their farms located within the boundaries of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.

Also signing the MoU were Abdul Samad Macarangcat, chair of the Balatawan Farmers Producers Cooperative, Imam Abdul Wahdud A. Abdullah of Masjid An Noor and Jul Hussin D. Ala.

Based on the documents presented to Mr. Vargas, the government awarded the farms in 1995 to the members of the group as part of the reintegration program for former rebels and that each has between three to five hectares.

The awarding of the farms was a prelude to the signing of the peace agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front and the government on Sept. 2, 1996.

The group said the farms have not been very productive as investors are wary of the peace and order situation in the area.

“However, they promised they will do everything to protect the investments,” Mr. Vargas told BusinessWorld.

After signing the MoU, Mr. Vargas brought it to the attention of Secretary Abul Khayr D. Alonto, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), to seek the help of the agency in the success of the project.

“We are hoping that MinDA, through the cacao double-up program of the government which it leads, will help us secure financial and technical assistance for the success of the project,” he said.

The plan, said Mr. Vargas, is to develop the farms into a cacao plantation community “complete with a processing center and warehouses for proper storage. “

He said part of the project will be the development of the “Chocolate City,” which will include about 500 housing units for the farmers and their families, a 20-hectare park with fish ponds, a clubhouse with modern facilities, a commercial complex, a school, a mosque, a clinic and a market place.

“This project will be the catalyst of growth in our area,” said Datu Guimlah Sinsuat, one of the community leaders who was present during the MoU signing.

Mr. Vargas said his company has started preparing the necessary project design and is aiming to start implementation next month.

President Duterte vows jobs, education for police families

(PND/PNA)

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte promised police personnel that the government has employment and education programs in place for their wives and children.

“Our constant worry, not only soldiers. Maski ako, maski ‘yung civilian, our worry is always our family,” President Duterte said in a speech at Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao on Friday, May 5, 2017.

“Anong mangyari ng mga anak natin pag nawala tayo bigla? That is the one thing that bugs us everyday of our life. And that is why I know na ano ang nasa isip ninyo,” he said.

The President said he has an education program for their children as well as a livelihood program for the wives of fallen cops.

“Kaya I would like to tell you now na may program naman akong ginawa. Your children will be assured of education. Pag nawala tayo sa buhay,” Duterte said.

"Sa lahat ng nakaraan ‘nong Presidente na ako, the wives are all, get employed immediately,” Duterte said.

Duterte said the education of their children will be financed by the government.

“That is the least that I can do for you for doing your duty to your country,” he said.

“‘Yan ang maasahan ninyo sa akin. Ang ayaw ko lang ‘yung may magkulang,” he added.

In the same speech, the Chief Executive also pledged that before leaving the presidency, the government would have already invested “so many billions” for the trust fund that would be used to take care of the spouses and children of policemen killed in duty.

Upon arrival at the Police Regional Office in Autonomous Regional in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the President was accorded foyer honors.

President Duterte then attended a situation briefing by the PRO-ARMM.

He then proceeded to the grandstand and led the awarding ceremony of Medalya ng Kagalingan for deserving PNP Personnel.

The President also led the awarding of 76 Motorcycle Riding Course Certificates of Completion.

These were received by the P/Supt. Christopher Dela Cruz, President of the PRO-ARMM Motorcycle Riding Course Class 10-2017.

ARMM sees improving economic growth

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanaos (ARMM) enjoyed economic growth in 2016 bouncing back from a slow growth the previous year, with a positive 0.3 percent gross regional domestic product (GRDP) from negative 0.4 percent in 2015.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released these figures in simultaneous media briefings nationwide to present the region’s 2016 economic performance.

The GRDP is a tool to monitor the region’s economic performance. It covers the value of goods and services the region produced over a specific period of time.

Abubakar Assad, PSA-ARMM regional director, explained that a GRDP rebound means economic activity has improved, in this case from the previous year’s level as monitored by the government. Official data showed that the growth was driven by the services sector which comprises 38.0 percent of the region’s economy.

The services sector, also referred to as tertiary sector, covers businesses such as transport, storage and communication; trade and repair of motor vehicles, personal and household goods; financial intermediation; real estate, renting and similar business activities; public administration and defense; compulsory social sector; utilities and other services.

The industry sector or secondary sector grew 5.7 percent last year from 5.6 percent while agriculture, forestry and fishery or primary sector contracted from 58.2 percent in 2015 to 56.3 percent.

“We are happy to announce that with the given data by the PSA, ARMM’s economy rebounded from the adjusted data of negative 0.4 percent to positive 0.3 percent, or from negative economic performance to positive economic performance,” Baintan Ampatuan, ARMM planning and development office chief, said.

He pointed out that the reason for the slow economic recovery was the low contribution of the agriculture sector at 56.3 percent last year from 58.2 percent in 2015.

ARMM remains an agriculture-based economy and output has been affected by extreme weather conditions such as drought and flooding, along with displacement of farmers due to armed conflicts and calamities.

Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, noted that the new investment in telecommunications that is expected this year will contribute further to the region’s output in the services sector and generate new jobs.

She added the regional line agencies, as well as the local government units, should help in the proper accounting of services, products and projects in the region to achieve an accurate monitoring of economic activities in line with the objective of reducing poverty incidence.

“The GRDP in the ARMM has increased in 2016, but that doesn’t mean that we are already contented. It doesn’t mean that we have achieved the target, if we follow our regional development plan in the past five years. In the coming the next six years, we have some targets – targets on reducing the poverty incidence level,” Alamia stressed.

She cited the impact of positive economic growth on poverty reduction.

Security tightened for President Duterte’s 4th visit to Maguindanao

(EOF/PNA)

CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao, May 5 (PNA) – All is set for the visit here Friday of President Rodrigo Duterte, who will preside over a closed-door command conference with military and police officials on the government’s drive against terrorism and illegal drugs.

Personnel from the Police Regional Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM) and soldiers from the 6th Infantry Division, both based in Maguindanao’s first district, have been placed on heightened alert.

Perlita Tiangco, of Philippine Information Agency (PIA-12), said the President will also preside over the ceremonial awarding of certificates of completion to police graduates of a motorcycle riding course.

Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac, PRO-ARMM director, said the police and the military have been on alert to secure VIPs attending the President’s visit, his fourth in Maguindanao since assuming the presidency.

Duterte visited the Army’s Camp Siongco headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and Buluan town, also in Maguindanao, last year. He also visited Cotabato City, located within the province of Maguindanao, last year where he launched an anti-poor program.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, said all roads leading to Camp SK Pendatun are secured.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, ordered the deployment of Army personnel around the police regional headquarters starting Thursday as well as the Philippine Air Force choppers for aerial security.

The President is expected to arrive at Camp SK Pendatun at around 2 p.m.

Maguindanao launches DA's farm assistance program

By John Unson (philstar.com)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte is keeping a promise to help Maguindanao’s marginalized farmers improve their productivity to hasten the restoration of normalcy in conflict-torn areas, officials said Tuesday.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Agriculture Assistant Secretary Lerey Panes jointly launched in Buluan town Tuesday the implementation in the province of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the Department of Agriculture.

The SAAD program is part of the Duterte administration’s effort to address poverty and underdevelopment in rural areas.

There is a word “saad” in the Visayan dialect which means promise. It can also contextually mean “equitable sharing” among ethnic Maranaws.

Mangudadatu said Duterte, who defeated rival candidates with an overwhelming vote-lead in Maguindanao during last year’s presidential polls, is keeping his pledge to pour in more than P150 million worth of assistance to farmers in the province via socio-economic interventions.

The launching on Tuesday of the SAAD program in Maguindanao was assisted by Milagros Casis, who is DA’s director for Region 12, and senior agriculture officials from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The event was capped off with the symbolic turnover of farming inputs and equipment to farmer beneficiaries from different Maguindanao towns.

“We are thankful to President Duterte and Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol for this good tiding,” Mangudadatu said.

Besides Maguindanao, the SAAD program also covers nine other provinces, Apayao, Western Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, North Cotabato, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Sarangani.

The SAAD program has various components, which include technical support and educational interventions which farmers need to boost their production.

Mangudadatu said the program, which will also teach farmers crop diversification for bigger income, will also promote environmental protection.

2 government workers nabbed in Cotabato City buy-bust

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Two government employees are now in jail for allegedly peddling drugs despite their sworn duty to uphold law and order as public servants.

Bryan Babang, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, told The STAR on Sunday that suspects Nabil Bilao Pagilit and Darlic Maronsing Asimpin are to be prosecuted for trafficking of shabu.

They were arrested in the act of selling shabu to a PDEA-ARMM agent on April 27 inside the N4 Lodging House along Bonifacio Street in Cotabato City.

Pagilit is a forest ranger of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-ARMM based in Lanao del Sur while Asimpin is an employee of the municipal government of Kapatagan in the same province.

Babang said they recovered from shabu and drug-sniffing paraphernalia from the suspects after they were busted while dealing with an agent disguised as an ordinary buyer.

He said they have charged Pagilit and Asimpin with violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in a local court.

Babang said they learned of the drug-trafficking activities of the suspects from confidential informants in Lanao del Sur, a component province of ARMM.

ARMM, WFP to conduct comprehensive study on food security

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 1 (PNA) - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the United Nation’s (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) have teamed up to carry out a comprehensive study that will help the regional government come up with holistic interventions to ensure food security in the region.

“We came up with an idea to conduct a thorough and comprehensive study in partnership with the WFP to determine and know the real score of food and nutrition security in the ARMM,” ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Masuhud Alamia told the Philippines News Agency (PNA).

Alamia said the results of the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment (CFSVA) study will help the regional government to chart new programs and strengthen current socio-economic development in the autonomous Muslim region.

In a separate statement sent exclusively to the PNA, the WFP said the study, which will start on Wednesday, is critical in getting accurate measurement “on food and nutrition security, as well as disaster risk reduction management programs, which support the ARMM Development Framework 2017-2022.”

“The upcoming data collection and consequent analysis will provide us with a number of significant details that we can look more closely, to help identify the current causes of food insecurity and malnutrition,” it said, adding “ultimately, it will allow the ARMM government and its partners to tackle the root causes of the region’s vulnerability and provide the necessary support to those who are most in need.”

In March, the ARMM and WFP inked an agreement that “embodies a framework for non-exclusive collaboration” to carry out a comprehensive study on the region’s food security.

“Food insecurity and malnutrition rates are among the highest in the Philippines, and in order to identify meaningful solutions, it is critical for us to obtain a comprehensive overview on the food security and nutrition in one of its vulnerable regions” the WFP said.

It said both parties have carried out a similar “exercise” in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in 2016.

“So we are expecting an interesting comparison on how the situation evolved over the past year,” it said.

“We look forward to working with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen the collaborative spirit that has brought the ARMM-WFP Framework Agreement into being, and help secure a world where all people have access to safe, healthy, nutritious food all year round, where there are zero stunted children, where food systems are sustainable and where there is zero loss or waste of food,” the WFP said.

On Wednesday, enumerators will start the 10-day data collection in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, while the enumerators for the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will start its collection on May 15 and will end before the holy month of Ramadan on May 26.

Over the weekend, at least 30 enumerators from Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi ended their five-day training workshop here.

The enumerators are composed of heads and senior staffs from the different government agencies in the ARMM. The WFP technical advisors facilitated the trainings, and will analyze the data.

Under the study, the enumerators must interview at least 1,900 households across the five provinces of ARMM.

The initial results will be presented to the leaders of ARMM led by its governor, Mujiv Hataman, in July.

Part of the plan is to come up with a book that will serve as reference for decision makers in the region to come up with programs on food security.

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