Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News May 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

ARMM’s Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Grupo Kalinangan to digitize Maranao Jawi and Kirim manuscripts

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – The Bureau of Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BCH-ARMM) and the Grupo Kalinangan Inc. (GKI) have signed a memorandum of agreement to provide and share resources for the digitization of 17th to early 20th century Maranao Jawi and Kirim manuscripts in the Islamic City of Marawi and the Lake Lanao region.

The project aims at digitizing manuscripts that contain genealogies, or salsilah, of prominent families; religious books, or kitab, and treatises; as well as epic and short stories that highlight some of the most important records and turning points in the history of the Maranao people.

The project to save the manuscripts was conceived because of the Marawi Siege in 2017, and forms part of the overall restoration and rehabilitation work for Marawi City. Through the project, Maranao people will have better awareness and appreciation on the importance of their heritage and will create an environment of learning for the young Maranaos as part of their recovery from their educational displacement due to the siege.

“There is a loss (during the Marawi Siege) that cannot be accounted for, and it is the heirloom of the Maranao families,” said Engr. Marites Maguindra, Executive Director of BCH-ARMM.

“We hope that these digitized manuscripts will bring a better understanding for the new generation…Na kung ano man ang mga influences na dala ng kasalukuyang panahon ay hindi nila makakalimutan kung ano ang mayroon ang mga sinaunang tao na kanilang pinagmulan,” she added.

Joel Aldor, President of GKI, said the project also aims at making these digitized manuscripts more available to researchers, academicians, and scholars who want to further study the life and heritage of the Maranao people.

The memorandum of agreement was signed May 26.

GKI is a non-profit, non-stock cultural organization based in Manila and established in 2016. It is composed of cultural heritage professionals and volunteers from diverse backgrounds. It seeks to address the gaps and needs for a more efficient and effective cultural heritage management in towns, cities and communities.

Armm grants 5,000 sqm. for Customs in Parang

By JENNIE P. ARADO

THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) had granted a 5,000-square meter (sqm.) property land in the Port of Parang to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to establish office there.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said they have just completed the signing of usufruct agreement with Armm. Lapeña said in the agreement, the Armm “grant[s] BOC perpetual use of the property in the Port of Parang where BOC can establish their building office in the area.”

He said they are very much grateful to Armm governor Mujiv Sabbihi Hataman for granting more than their requested 1,500 sqm. of land area.

“That will be a very good space for BOC for us to perform the mandated functions provided for by law. This is in anticipation of more dynamic activities in the Port of Parang especially in the projection of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) approval or the Federalism where President Rodrigo Duterte projects that there will be more economic developments in those areas which will benefit our Muslim brothers in that area and that will result to more lasting peace,” said Lapeña.

He added the BOC in Armm will complement with the future economic developments in the area. He has yet to disclose when they plan to start the construction of their building office.

Coast guard activates station in Turtle Islands town

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated a station in the Turtle Islands Municipality, Tawi-Tawi, the south-western tip of the country, a top PCG official said Saturday.

Capt. Ronnie Gil Gavan, South Western Mindanao Coast Guard District commander, said the facility, known as the Coast Guard Station Western Tawi-Tawi, was activated on Tuesday.

Gavan said the new coast guard station is located in Taganak Island, the largest island in the municipality of Turtle Islands.

He said the station will ensure the effective delivery of PCG services in the far flung areas of Turtle Islands, including the strict enforcement of maritime laws. He pointed out that most of the vessels transiting in the area are left unguarded and unchallenged in terms of maritime safety.

He said the area of responsibility of the CGS Western Tawi-Tawi included the whole waters of Turtle Islands. It has two operating units, namely the Coast Guard Sub-Stations Taganak and Bakungan.

The PCG is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, maritime environmental protection and maritime security.

Marawi inks deal for community-driven shelter, livelihood project

By Irma Boza (PNA)

MARAWI CITY -- The local government here has signed an agreement with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) and the government-run Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) for a housing project that includes a livelihood component.

Thursday's signing of a memorandum of understanding among stakeholders aims to strengthen the housing project's community-driven approach, UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Christopher E. Rollo said.

The project seeks to build 1,500 shelters for identified "home partners" organized under SHFC's Community Mortgaged Program(CMP). SHFC is the lead government agency for social housing programs catering to low-income families.

Rollo said the beneficiaries will play a key role during the whole process, from site selection, home partner selection, even to the house design. They will be trained to inspect the quality of materials of the their own housing units, ensuring that these are completed according to agreed specifications.

Families and community members will also be required to conduct financial monitoring and regular auditing to keep all the recipients updated of the project, he added.

“This project presents a new challenge, especially that we have to consider the complex land issues in post-conflict situation,” Rollo said. "In this area, we rely on our expertise."

Lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo C. Cabling, president of the SHFC, assured that the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Marawi will be imbued with "peoples' process,” where community-driven approach is the norm.

“Various capacity development activities such as projects, financial and estate management will be conducted with communities to empower them to be leaders of the different aspects of the projects,“ Cabling said.

"This will encourage participation from each and every member of the community and from the sectors of Marawi society," he added.

Complementing the housing project, Rollo said, is the livelihood support in which all recipients will be trained in construction, small-scale enterprise and similar skills.

Edguardo del Rosario, chairperson of Task Force Bangon Marawi, said each two-level housing unit will feature a minimum of 36 sq. meter floor area enough to hold 12 to 14 family members.

For his part, Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra expressed his gratitude to the UN-Habitat and the government agencies working with residents in the shelter and livelihood recovery program.

“This program will help address the needs of the IDP’s (internally displaced persons) and will also help restore the dignity they had lost, including their properties and livelihood, after a year of fear and uncertainly brought by the siege,” Gandamra said.

ARMM youth affairs office launches book on Marawi siege

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY--To commemorate the first anniversary of the Marawi siege, the Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OBYA-ARMM) launched Wednesday morning (May 23) a book entitled ‘Tadman di ripatan’ (Remember, do not forget) at Mindanao State University in Marawi City.

The book features narrative essays, poems and photos reflecting the memories of Marawi residents and MSU students during and after the five-month Marawi siege.

The five-month Marawi siege, which started on May 23 last year, occurred after ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group laid siege to the city that resulted in the death of over 1,000 people.

Amir Mawallil, ARMM’s information chief, said the impact of the siege could still be felt a year after it happened as residents remain displaced and housed in evacuation centers.

“The book hopes to create a space for those affected by the siege to share their experiences and remind others the importance of its impact. It also seeks to expand the discussions on the aftermath of the siege,” Mawallil said.

The event, organized by OBYA-ARMM and the MSU-Marawi Communication and Media Studies (CMS) Department, was held at the Mamitua Saber Research Hall of the university. A photo exhibit, entitled: ‘Memories of Marawi Siege’ was also opened to the public during the event.

Officials of the ARMM government, students and members of MSU school-based organizations, the faculty of the MSU-CMS Department, and the book’s writers and contributors were present during the event. A re-launching of the book and photo exhibit is set on May 25-26 in Cagayan de Oro City.

DOH conducts medical checkups for IDPs

By Calvin T. Penaco (PIA-ICCC)

Marawi Week of Peace.

Dr. Siegfried Hector Razo of DOH Region 10 revealed that the most common health problems at the Sarimanok Tent City are respiratory infections, skin diseases, and hypertension.

He added that these diseases were expected due to weather changes in the city and contamination rate was high due to congestion.

DOH provided patients with the necessary medicines, vitamin supplementation, maintenance, and advice on lifestyle modification.

For almost a year now, DOH has been providing medical assistance to IDPs in the form of medical services, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) monitoring, provision of hygiene kits, mental health, and psychosocial support services, and nutrition services.

They also refer patients who cannot be accommodated by their services to other more suitable doctors.

Meanwhile, Razo encouraged all patients to take good care of their health.

"Sumunod lagi sa advice ng health experts (Always follow the advice of health experts). Seek early consultation with doctors," he said.

Furthermore, he said that medical assistance, in coordination with the City Health Office and other health agencies, would continue as long as the IDPs need it.

P140M set aside for ARMM roads

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

SHARIFF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO: The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) is set to build an 8.2-kilometer road worth P140 million over 451 days in the town of Upi, Maguindanao.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman has directed DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha Loong to allocate the road project funds out of the regular infrastructure allocation for 2018 of the Public Works department.

Hataman who was personally accompanied by Loong and Upi Mayor Ramon Piang led groundbreaking on Friday that signaled the start of the construction of the Blensong-Nuro road in Upi where majority of the constituents are the Teduray indigenous people.

Upon completion, Piang said, the road will link Blensong, an agricultural area home to Teduray families, and Nuro, the center of Upi town in the first district of Maguindanao.

He added that the road project will benefit no fewer than 20,000 Muslim and Christian farming families.

“So important is this road to us. Barangay Blensong is a major producer of corn and other short-term crops.

With a concrete road connecting the area to Nuro, farmers there can deliver promptly their harvests to buyers in the lowlands,” Piang said.

Upi’s Muslim and Christian residents rely mainly on farming and livestock raising as sources of income.

According to the Upi mayor, since 2013, the office of Hataman has constructed in Upi a total of 31 kilometers of farm-to-market roads and larger thoroughfares costing P483.7 million.

ARMM leads regions in fish production

By ALLAN NAWAL (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

DAVAO CITY—The five-province Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) emerged anew as the country’s top fisheries producer among 17 regions, providing nearly 26 percent of the country’s total fisheries output, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

In its first quarter fisheries survey, the PSA reported that the region produced a total of 258,981 metric tons of fish and sea harvests.

The national fisheries output was more than 1 million MT for the first quarter of 2018.

Fisheries production is defined as hunting or producing fish and other marines species. It includes fish breeding and other aquaculture activities.

ARMM improvement

The PSA said ARMM’s first quarter fisheries production was higher than last year’s yield of 243,000 MT.

The region’s provinces host large bodies of water.

Maguindanao has Liguasan Marsh, Illana Bay and Moro Gulf in addition to Lake Buluan, where massive aquaculture activities were ongoing.

Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi shared the vast Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

The Zamboanga Peninsula was the second top producer but it provided only about half of ARMM’s output—129,792 MT.

The Cordillera Administrative Region, a largely landlocked area, contributed 1.3 million MT.

The PSA said while the ARMM’s fisheries production rose, the total national output actually went down by a little over 3 percent.

Commercial fishing

Commercial fishing output alone decreased by 3.39 percent to 216,000 MT compared to production last year.

Harvest of round scad fell by more than 14 percent, yellowfin tuna fell by more than 11 percent, milkfish fell by more than 7 percent and tilapia harvest fell by more than 5 percent, the PSA said.

Harvest of seaweed fell by a little less than 1 percent, it added.

Climate was mainly the reason for the production decline, the PSA said.

Delays in stocking fish pens in Laguna Bay due to restrictions imposed by authorities also caused a less than 1-percent decline in production, the PSA said.

ARMM launches new trading route

By John Unson (philstar.com)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — The government started building Friday an 8.2 kilometer trading route connecting two historic, centuries-old trading enclaves of non-Moro ethnic Tedurays in Upi town.

The road will link Blensong, a hinterland agricultural area home to Teduray families, and Nuro, the center of Upi town in the first district of Maguindanao.

Upi Mayor Ramon Piang and Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao led Friday’s symbolic launching of the project.

The ARMM regional government will bankroll the construction and concreting of the Blensong-Nuro road through the regional public works department.

Piang said the road project, costing P140 million, will benefit no fewer than 20,000 Muslim and Christian farming families.

“So important is this road to us. Barangay Blensong is a major producer of corn and other short-term crops. With a concrete road connecting the area to Nuro, farmers there can deliver promptly their harvests to buyers in the lowlands,” Piang said.

Upi is a predominantly Teduray municipality, whose Muslim and Christian residents rely mainly on farming and livestock raising as sources of income.

The road project, to be implemented within 451 working days, is funded out of the regular infrastructure allocation for 2018 of the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM.

Hataman’s public works secretary, engineer Don Loong, was also present in the groundbreaking ceremony that signalled the start of the construction of the Blensong-Nuro road.

Piang said since 2013, the office of Hataman has constructed in Upi a total of 31 kilometers of farm-to-market roads and larger thoroughfares costing P483.7 million.

DepEd-ARMM to hire 2,458 new employees for SY 2018-2019

By Shahana Joy E. Duerme (CG/SED/PIA12)

COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- At least 2,458 new positions in the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) are open for applicants in preparation for school year 2018-2019, an official of the agency announced.

DepEd-ARMM Secretary Rasul Mitmug Jr. said the available items include teaching positions in the elementary and junior high school level, pending the issuance of the Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from the DepEd-Central Office.

Mitmug emphasized that while teaching eligibility is the baseline qualification, the agency seeks out the best to fill the limited number of teaching positions.

Applicants, he added, will undergo a stringent process that includes examination, interview, and teaching demonstration.

Besides the aforementioned, ARMM is also filing in unfilled positions for Teacher 1 in 2017.

Regarding education reform in the ARMM, Secretary Mitmug said the department is pushing for School-Based Management (SBM) that aims to empower the department along with schools across the region in terms of education policies.

“I would like to inform the community that DepEd-ARMM is focusing on school-based management hoping that this will be a great help for the youth,” he said.

He also shared plans to draft and distribute worksheets custom-made by the DepEd-ARMM for first graders in the region to enhance their learning abilities based on the 3Rs (read, write, and recognize) along with other basic subjects.

“Our goal is to provide the pupils with these worksheets that will be a great help in their studies,” Sec. Mitmug said

He believes that the worksheets will help those who find difficulty in acquiring books and those who are living in far-flung areas.

“The most exciting part of this worksheet is this will be a common material for the young ones in the ARMM,” Sec. Mitmug noted adding that this is to help the Bangsamoro youth.

Japan formalizes 2-billion yen grant for Marawi rehab

(DOF)

MANILA -- Manila and Tokyo signed Tuesday (May 15, 2018) an agreement that would provide the Philippine government with a 2-billion yen grant from Japan to support ongoing efforts for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the devastated city of Marawi in Mindanao.

The agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on behalf of the Philippines, and Yoshio Wada, the chief representative in the Philippines of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on behalf of Japan.

Dominguez said the Philippine government has so far identified 902 priority projects and activities for the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City and its surrounding areas, which are estimated to cost a total of P55 billion, with close to half of the funding to be drawn from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Project Fund.

The other sources of financing for these priority projects under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (BMCRRP) approved in early April will come from the various government agencies, the regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the city government of Marawi, non-government organizations, development partners, and the private sector, Dominguez said.

He said the government is also considering holding a pledging session similar to what was done after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) to help fund Marawi’s reconstruction efforts.

The government is also continuing discussions with JICA on drawing funds from the 2-billion yen grant to finance several projects identified under the BMCRRP, Dominguez said.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the ‘Grant Agreement for the Programme for the Support for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Marawi City and Its Surrounding Areas’ signed today will cover infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of transcentral roads that need to be rebuilt immediately in the war-ravaged communities.

This grant (approximately $18.66 million or about P970 million), is the fourth aid package provided by Japan to the Philippines following earlier grants that include the provision of heavy equipment for Marawi City’s reconstruction program that was formalized on Nov. 12 last year between the two governments.

“I would like to assure the ambassador and the chief representative of JICA that we are very keenly aware that these funds come from the taxpayers of Japan, and that we will honor them by not wasting those funds,” Dominguez said after the signing of the 2-billion yen grant agreement.

Japan has so far provided the Philippines an estimated US$36 million to assist in Marawi’s relief and rehabilitation.

“On behalf of the Philippine Government, I express profound gratitude for the generous support by the Government of Japan to the great task of rebuilding the City of Marawi,” Dominguez said.

The infrastructure projects covered by the grant will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which serves as vice-chair of the interagency Task Force Bangon Marawi.

Also present at the signing of the grant agreement at the DOF Main Office in Manila were DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain; Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, who heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC); and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda.

“I believe that all these initiatives, we affirm Japan’s commitment to the Philipines as a special friend, and closer than a brother, always willing to lend a helping hand, “ Ambassador Haneda said. “Together let eagerly rebuild Marawi from the ground up and help Marawi rise again.”

Japan and the Philippines earlier signed a 1.5 billion-yen grant (approximately US$13.98 million or about P727.05 million) on the sidelines of the 31stASEAN Summit and Related Meetings held in Manila in November last year for the procurement and importation of heavy equipment for Marawi. 

This assistance in kind forms part of Japan’s 2.5 billion yen Non-Project Grant Aid to the Philippines, of which the remaining 1 billion yen (about $8.9 million) is allocated for the provision of anti-terrorism equipment, such as radar systems, to the Philippine Coast Guard.

To date, 27 units of heavy equipment that include excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, bulldozers and dump trucks worth a total of 800 million yen have been procured and turned over to the DPWH last March 15 and are now being extensively used in Marawi.

“As we respond to the most immediate needs for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi, we thank the Government of Japan for its immediate response. We are extremely grateful for the empathy and sense of urgency that made these grants possible,” Dominguez said.

Besides the grant signed today and the heavy equipment aid package, Japan also agreed to provide a 1.1 billion yen funding support (about $9.8 million) to provide core shelters and livelihood training for Marawi City’s residents under a UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlement Programme) project and $2 million worth of assistance to help the relief operations of the UN World Food Programme and the UN International Children’s Fund in Marawi.

JICA is also currently financing a feasibility study for the construction of a Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao, which include road components in Marawi City.

Armm distributes Ramadan food packs in Marawi City

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

OVER 300 internally displaced families currently residing in two evacuation centers in Marawi City have received Ramadan food packs from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

The distribution was held on Tuesday, May 15, during the Armm People’s Day in Marawi City led by the Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (Armm-Heart), a key initiative of the regional government.

Myrna Jo Henry, Armm-Heart information officer, said the distribution of food packs “is an act of charity” and will help the evacuees prepare for the Ramadan that will start on Thursday, May 17.

Henry said each food pack contains rice, fresh fish, dried fish, loaves of bread, peanut butter, coffee, energy drink, sugar, and other food items.

“As we observe the holiest month of Ramadan, may we find time to pray for the lives of thousands who have been affected by the conflict,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

Marawi City was under siege for five months by combined elements of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Groups starting May 23 last year that displaced thousands of people.

The regional government has been prompt in extending assistance to the evacuees since the crisis started.

It immediately established a crisis management committee and several operation centers to facilitate the delivery of assistance to the affected families.

Armm-Heart also formed a rescue team that helped save civilians trapped in areas where heavy fighting was reported.

The team also helped in delivering additional assistance from the regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur to the affected individuals since last year.

Hataman said the regional government has provided P450 million last year for the rehabilitation of Marawi.

An additional P930 million will be released this year for Marawi City.

DOH-ARMM holds month-long measles immunization

By Shahana Joy Duerme and Lean Twinkle Bolongon (SJDuerme/LTBolongon-PIA Cotabato City)

COTABATO CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has started last week the conduct of a door-to-door supplemental immunization activity as part of the ‘Ligtas Tigdas’ campaign.

The activity which will last until June 18, 2018 targets children age 6 to 59 months and aims to curb the spread of measles in the area.

Based on the report presented by the DOH-ARMM, out of the 1,405 suspected measles cases in the region as of April 23, 2018, 76 percent were recorded in the province of Maguindanao, 15 percent in Sulu, 7 percent in Lanao del Sur, and 2 percent in Tawi-Tawi.

Twenty-three (23) deaths have been recorded this year.

DOH-ARMM Secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding emphasized that measles can cause death if not prevented through vaccine.

“Measles is deadly. Through vaccination we can assure that we can save lives,” he said.

Dr. Sinolinding also encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated assuring that measles vaccine is proven safe and effective. This was after many mothers expressed reluctance to submit their children to the immunization.

“I urge everybody to participate, get involved in our campaign for the benefit of our children,” Sinolinding stated adding that the DOH is strengthening the campaign through the media and the participation local government units, teachers and community leaders.

DepEd-ARMM steps up recruitment of qualified teachers

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: The so-called “ghost teachers” and the patronage system in the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) has seen the last of its days from the time Gov. Mujiv Hataman assumed office, a high official of the department said.

Sittie Mariam Balahim, DepEd-ARMM assistant secretary for operations who is overseeing the on-going screening and hiring of elementary, junior and senior high school teachers as well as applicants for non-teaching positions, said Hataman has put reforms in place to stop these practices.

She said Hataman dismantled the “palakasan and padrino” (and patronage) system and banished the “ghost teachers” or those who claim salary without rendering service in the DepEd-ARMM’s plantilla.

Late last year Hataman appointed Rasol Mitmug Jr. as DepEd-ARMM regional secretary to fine-tune the educational system.

Balahim said there are at least 2,458 vacant items across the ARMM region that must be filled up by qualified applicants who were meticulously selected by the Human Resource Merit Selection and Promotion Board (HRMSPB) from the Maguindanao Division 1. Aside from a panel interview they have to conduct an actual teaching demonstration.

She stressed that possession of a Professional Regulation Commission license or the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET) certification is not a guarantee for automatic hiring.

“He or she may be a LET passer but if the applicant cannot explain well the subject matter to the students, then that could be a problem,” she told The Manila Times.

Balahim said the first batch of applicants were from the far-flung province of Tawi-Tawi and the DepEd-ARMM is expecting to deploy the selected qualified applicants before school year 2018-2019 starts.

ARMM posts highest fisheries output among regions

By Catherine Teves (PNA)

MANILA -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has continued to dominate Philippine fisheries production among all regions in the country.

ARMM's 2018 fisheries production volume reached 258,981.73 metric tons (MT) in January-March this year, the highest among regions nationwide, latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed.

Coming out next to ARMM was the Zamboanga Peninsula, with fisheries production volume of 129,792.62 MT for the first quarter of 2018.

The nationwide fisheries production volume totaled to 1,004,997.44 MT for the period.

ARMM's first quarter fisheries production in the first quarter was also 6.52 percent higher than the 243,134.78 MT it registered in the same period last year.

Among the fisheries species from ARMM in 2018 were seaweeds, yellowfin tuna, skipjack, frigate tuna, Indian mackerel, and roundscad.

Other regions registered this year lower production volumes ranging from 93,815.06 MT in Soccsksargen to 1,312.31 MT in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

ARMM launches exhibit of worldwide miniature mosques

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Twenty-four miniature mosques are on display here as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officially launched on Friday an exhibit of ‘Mosques Around the World’.

The exhibit is a competition event with participation from the region’s different offices and agencies. Participants constructed three-dimensional miniature replicas of renowned mosques from different parts of the world.

“For us to be reminded as Muslims of Mindanao that we are part of a greater Ummah (nation) and that it is essential for us to learn and know about them,” Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman, Anak Mindanao (AMIN) foundation executive director, said explaining why ARMM launched the exhibit.

Each modeled mosque is displayed in a 1.5 cubic-meter glass box. A poster is displayed beside the model containing its name, country of origin, history, and significance. Criteria for judging are conformity and attention to detail (50 percent), workmanship and quality (30 percent), and presentation and overall impact (20 percent).

Cash prizes will be awarded to the models that best fit the competition’s criteria. A cash prize of P200,000 will be given to the first placer while P150,000 and P100,000 will be given to the second and third placers, respectively.

The exhibit, located outside the Office of the Regional Governor’s building, is in line with the celebration of the Pakaradjaan 2018 and the month-long observance of Ramadhan that would commence on May 15.

On the same day, the ARMM Ramadan Trade Fair 2018, consisting of 75 booths, was also officially opened to the public. Winners of the exhibit will be announced during the culmination program of the trade fair.

Army, cops ink ARMM BSKE security plan

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Top military and police officials here, in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), signed Thursday a joint security plan in connection with the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) polls.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central commander, together with Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, police director of the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and Comelec–ARMM Director Ray Sumalipao, signed a memorandum of agreement outlining the security plan Thursday in this camp.

The security plan provides guideline and procedures that would be undertaken by military and police units as deputized agencies by the Comelec to ensure honest, orderly, peaceful, and credible election, particularly in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

The security plan includes activation of Joint Security Control Centers throughout the region; conduct of internal security operation; counter-terrorism operation and community support operation; implementation of the campaign against loose firearms and COMELEC’s ban on bearing, carrying, and transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons and use of security personnel.

The strategy also provides the establishment of joint COMELEC-AFP-PNP checkpoints; organization of Joint Task Group to dismantle identified partisan and private armed groups; implementation of the provisions for Protective Security Detail as directed by the COMELEC; proper conduct and decorum of AFP and PNP personnel during the election period and guidelines on the deployment of AFP-PNP personnel for election duties; and sustain the gains of martial law in Mindanao.

“Under the guidance on the security plan, the military will ensure utmost support and assistance to the COMELEC from the regional down to the municipal level with regards to the security of the election officials are concerned including the transport and delivery and election paraphernalia,” Dela Vega said.

Sumalipao, for his part, described the signing of the joint security plan as an indication that everybody is prepared for honest, orderly and peaceful election.

Representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government- ARMM, Department of Education-ARMM, National Citizen’s Movement for Free Election, Masjid Affair, and Archdiocese of Cotabato, witnessed the MOA engagement.

ARMM Ramadan Fair 2018 to highlight local products

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Some 75 booths featuring local goods would highlight the opening on Friday of the month-long Ramadan Trade Fair at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) compound in this city.

The Ramadan is expected to start on May 15, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon according to the Islamic lunar calendar, and end on June 15 through Eid’l Fitr, the celebration marking the culmination of the fasting period.

Twenty of the booths will be devoted to hosting the businesses of those who are still displaced by last year’s conflict in Marawi City.

Their booths will be subsidized by the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) along with food and accommodation during their stay in Cotabato City throughout the trade fair.

“We will be giving them grants of Php30,000 for capital and Php10,000 for the tools they will be needing as they take their business here to Cotabato City for the Ramadhan fair,” said ORG chief of staff Nhorkhalila Mae Mambuay-Campong.

The fair, which would formally open at 4:00 p.m. Friday, will feature both food and non-food products, geared towards endorsing and renewing interest in the local goods available across the region. According to the Department of Trade and Industry-ARMM, a number of ARMM line agencies would also be featured in the fair.

The Department of Agrarian Reform-ARMM will have a booth presenting products from the region’s agrarian reform beneficiaries, while the Department of Science and Technology-ARMM booth will item products that were produced and packaged with the help of the agency.

Meanwhile, the regional Department of Health will offer free medical services in one of the booths, while the Department of Tourism - ARMM will feature local tourism sites in an exhibit housed in another booth.

Also, the trade fair will feature a nightly program that includes discussions covering a wide range of Islamic topics, with different ARMM line agencies scheduled to take charge of the program every right.

AFP sponsors educational tour of 50 Muslim youth leaders in Malaysia

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Some 75 booths featuring local goods would highlight the opening on Friday of the month-long Ramadan Trade Fair at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) compound in this city.

The Ramadan is expected to start on May 15, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon according to the Islamic lunar calendar, and end on June 15 through Eid’l Fitr, the celebration marking the culmination of the fasting period.

Twenty of the booths will be devoted to hosting the businesses of those who are still displaced by last year’s conflict in Marawi City.

Their booths will be subsidized by the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) along with food and accommodation during their stay in Cotabato City throughout the trade fair.

“We will be giving them grants of Php30,000 for capital and Php10,000 for the tools they will be needing as they take their business here to Cotabato City for the Ramadhan fair,” said ORG chief of staff Nhorkhalila Mae Mambuay-Campong.

The fair, which would formally open at 4:00 p.m. Friday, will feature both food and non-food products, geared towards endorsing and renewing interest in the local goods available across the region. According to the Department of Trade and Industry-ARMM, a number of ARMM line agencies would also be featured in the fair.

The Department of Agrarian Reform-ARMM will have a booth presenting products from the region’s agrarian reform beneficiaries, while the Department of Science and Technology-ARMM booth will item products that were produced and packaged with the help of the agency.

Meanwhile, the regional Department of Health will offer free medical services in one of the booths, while the Department of Tourism - ARMM will feature local tourism sites in an exhibit housed in another booth.

Also, the trade fair will feature a nightly program that includes discussions covering a wide range of Islamic topics, with different ARMM line agencies scheduled to take charge of the program every right.

DepEd ARMM to deploy 6,000 teachers for 2018 barangay election

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran (BPI-ARMM/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- Around 6,000 teachers will be deployed in the different barangays in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the upcoming barangay elections on May 14, 2018.

Department of Education (DepEd) ARMM Secretary Rasol Mitmug, Jr., said three teachers will be assigned as members of the electoral board for every precinct in this year's barangay elections scheduled on Monday.

Each electoral board member will receive an allowance worth P6,500.

Sec. Mitmug said that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set for the barangay elections, with the ARMM’s security forces ready to protect teachers assigned to the polls.

He also added that the education department is implementing a mechanism which will monitor the safety of the teachers during the elections, known as the DepEd-ARMM Emergency Response Network.

Meanwhile, applicants for the remaining Teacher 1 positions are currently being screened to fill out the remaining teacher items in the ARMM for the year 2017.

Applicants will undergo examination, interview, and demonstration teaching.

The regional education department is also set to fill a total of 2,458 available items for school year 2018-2019, which includes teaching positions in the elementary and junior high school level, pending the issuance of the Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from the DepEd-Central Office.

Lanao youth leaders join Malaysia educational tour

By Irma Boza (PNA)

ILIGAN CITY -- A four-day educational tour involving 30 Muslim youth participants from the two Lanao provinces kicked off Sunday with a send-off ceremony at the Laguindingan Airport, attended by local government and military officials.

On its third year now, the educational tour in Subang, Malaysia is a project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in cooperation with the Malaysian Embassy.

In her message to the Lanao participants, Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra encouraged them to learn from "culture and experiences of both countries."

“Education is one of the greatest consideration and priority of Marawi City. The youth has our full support because we want them to achieve excellence that is coupled with the virtues, discipline and gratitude,” Gadamra said.

For his part, Maj. General Roseller Murillo, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, emphasized the important role of the youth "as partners in nation-building."

“Malaysia is a modern community--they all unite against terrorism. Whatever good practices you may learn in your tour, you apply it here when you comeback," Gen. Murillo told the participants during the send-off ceremony.

Dubbed the "Youth Leaders’ Educational Tour", the yearly tour for Muslim youth leaders aims to expose the participants to a predominantly Muslim country and learn from their best practices.

It can be recalled that the first batch of the educational tour was held from November 23-26, 2016 while the second batch was on November 20-23, 2017. Both events were hosted by the Malaysian government.

This year's tour gathered a total of 50 participants from all over Mindanao.

ARMM gov calls for honest, peaceful barangay elections

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL (TMT)

COTABATO CITY: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman is calling for the conduct of honest and peaceful barangay (village) elections.

Hataman pointed out that the barangay is at the heart of governance with local community members leading the way toward genuine reform and sustainable development.

He said the ARMM government is calling everyone to stay true to the vision of meaningful and relevant governance by engaging in a campaign that exemplifies values of the communities they represent. Hataman added that democracy and human rights should be at the center of this year’s village elections as voters exercise their rights, since it is the people themselves who had fought for and won in the struggle for freedom.

MILF vows to help ensure peaceful village, SK polls

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

CAMP DARAPANAN, Maguindanao -- The military arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it will help ensure a peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections but will not actively participate in the electoral process, an MILF official on Sunday said.

Von Al Haq, the spokesperson of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), said the MILF prohibits its armed members to get involved in the country's electoral process as a matter of policy.

“We are not allowed to directly or indirectly participate in the electoral process,” Al Haq said.

He explained that indirect participation includes acting as security escorts of candidates, lending firearms and other weapons, and other acts that would provide support to any candidate and political parties.

Al Haq also said that the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of both the MILF and government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 4 to maintain the “peace on the ground” during the election period.

Under the MOU, both parties agreed that the police and military could enter MILF-controlled areas during the election period provided that proper coordination is observed.

“We know that they will enter, pass by, or bring ballots. And that was agreed on by both parties. We do not see it as a problem,” Al Haq said in a statement.

“BIAF would provide help to the AFP and PNP only if required,” he said.

The guidelines of the barangay election agreement between the government and MILF include mechanisms on the mobility of people and forces.

“The main routes, water, and land usually used by the MILF troops during movements and activities shall be left open. Provided, however, that MILF movements are properly coordinated earlier with the GPH CCCH and the existing ceasefire mechanisms,” the MOU stated.

The MOU also said that MILF "shall refrain from consolidating its forces for any purpose including peace gatherings from the time the election paraphernalia are deployed until the election has been completed except at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Camp Bushra in Lanao del Sur, and in urban centers, when necessary, and in coordination with the GPH CCCH."

Armed MILF elements are also prohibited from going near polling centers and precincts, displaying their firearms and uniforms along routes leading to the areas where electoral activities are ongoing, it added.

BIAF members violating this memorandum will be sanctioned according to the MILF policies as determined by the disciplinary board.

Local firm to invest P1-B for cacao production in ARMM

Dani Doguiles (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from RBOI-ARMM)

COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- A local investor is pouring in more than 1 billion pesos for a cacao production project in Maguindanao.

Just recently, the Regional Board of Investments in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM) approved the registration of ChocoInvest Corporation which is set to invest P1.016 billion for an integrated cacao plantation project in Barangay Nuyo, Buldon, Maguindanao.

RBOI chair and managing head Lawyer Ishak Mastura said green lighting the project will help the country attain its target of 100,000 metric tons (MT) cacao production by 2020.

Also, Mastura added, this will back the government’s “Cacao Double Up Program” in line with the Philippine 2020 Cacao Challenge, which is to address the current very low supply of around 10,000 MT or 80% short of the average local consumption demand of 50,000 MT annually.

This would also redound to more livelihood and job opportunities in the rural areas since cacao growing is labor intensive.

“ChocoInvest will be granted with fiscal incentives such as Income Tax Holidays for six years as well as other incentives being provided by the government upon the start of its commercial operations,” Mastura said.

Cacao, also known as the “Food of the Gods” or the “Tree of Love”, is the major ingredient in making chocolates expanding its application to food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Carlos Vargas, chief executive officer of ChocoInvest said the project is a joint venture between the company and the Balatawan Farmers Producers Cooperative. The cooperative is composed of former Moro rebels.

Vargas was inspired to pursue the project with the group whose members have laid-down their firearms in an amnesty program under previous administrations.

“The group has decided years ago to stop the conflict and engage instead on a war against poverty,” Vargas said.

The project will initially start with a 20-hectare model cacao farm which will eventually expand to a total of 1,750 hectares or more intercropped with coffee, banana, coconut and other cash crops.

Aside from the domestic market, major markets are Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Australia and European Union.

In April last year, ChocoInvest signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Balatawan Farmers Producers Cooperative for the development of about 1,750 hectares in the boundaries of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.

In a statement, ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said that the project is very relevant and a result of peace efforts since it involves rebel returnees, who are now active members of society and partners of development.

"Clearly, the government’s multi-pronged strategy to prevent marginalized communities, particularly among the Bangsamoro, from being lured into extremism is bearing fruit and it is now those communities who are actively seeking economic opportunities for their communities thru partnership with investors.

“I have also witnessed this in Basilan, my home province, where the Abu Sayyaf laid down their arms in order to start new lives with the economic opportunities offered by both the government and the private sector,” Hataman said.

Australian delegation visits ARMM gov't seat in Cotabato

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Australian officials visited Wednesday the seat of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) here and discussed the regional government's initiatives in countering extremism following the Marawi siege last year.

Leading the visiting delegation was Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who was accompanied by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and Regional Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia briefed the visitors on the programs initiated by the regional government to address the problem of violent extremism.

Hataman said the ARMM's Program Against Violent Extremism provides opportunities to members of terrorist groups who have surrendered and returned to the fold of law for reintegration in society.

The governor said the program has been gaining good results since its introduction last year and has drawn support from Malacañang for inclusion in its Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), the national government's reintegration program.

Lawyer Rasol Mitmig, ARMM education secretary, also presented the efforts being undertaken by his office in addressing violent extremism in schools across the region.

The battle to retake Marawi from May to October last year caused widespread destruction to the city and displacement of some 11,000 families as government troops fought the combined forces of the Abu Sayyaf and Maute terror groups.

A multi-billion government rehabilitation program is underway to bring back life to the city.

Task Force Bangon Marawi, a government inter-agency group organized to facilitate the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the city, said initial post-conflict assessment indicated that some PHP50 billion is needed to restore the locality’s affected areas.

Last February, the Australian government rolled out a PHP3.6-billion Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) for the autonomous region.

Pathways is a nine-year program designed to improve the delivery of basic education and contribute to peace-building initiatives in the ARMM.

LG lends a hand to Marawi's young minds

(Manila Standard)

LEADING tech innovator LG Electronics has donated 200 computer monitors and health kits, comprised of roughly 30,000 personal care products, to support the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Marawi.

LG is providing computer monitors and day-to-day necessities, such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpastes provided by LG Household & Health Care in Seoul, to 46 of the southern city’s public schools and its students. The electronics company is working with the Department of Education (DepEd), to determine which schools will benefit from this donation, and to ensure that LG’s giving efforts are both effective and efficient.

During the turnover ceremony held at the LG Philippines office on April 19, Inkwun Heo, Managing Director of LG Electronics Philippines, said that the new computer monitors will help the Marawi youth learn and sharpen the skills necessary to get ahead in life.

“Every day we see how technology is reshaping the world around us. At LG, we believe that computer access and information technology are increasingly important for students to be more productive and valuable to society,” he said.

MILF gets P7-M mobile operating clinic from Turkey gov’t

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY –-The government of Turkey has provided the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with a PHP7-million mobile operating clinic in support to the government’s peace initiative in southern Philippines.

“Today marks another important milestone in delivering peace dividends to our people as we transition from conflict situation into just, honorable and lasting peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro,” MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said in a statement delivered by MILF Central Committee secretary Muhammad Ameen.

The turnover program was held Tuesday in Camp Darapanan, the MILF’s main base, situated in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. Yasim Baktir, the Philippine Country Director for the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), handed over the key of the mobile clinic to Ameen, who in turn handed it over to the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).

Murad, in the same statement, quoted a 2014 Bangsamoro Development Plan that showed less than half (46.7 percent) of the Bangsamoro households have access to healthcare facilities. Murad lauded TIKA and expressed gratitude for the donation on behalf of the Bangsamoro people.

Dr. Sherjan Kalim, the BDA focal person on health and improvement program, said the mobile operating clinic will help implement the Comprehensive Bangsamoro Health Development Program.

Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, BDA chairman, said the mobile clinic was everyone’s dream during the early days of the BDA as most of them are medical practitioners who pooled their resources to help improve medical services in Muslim communities.

Dipatuan said the mobile operating clinic is the first of its kind in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that covers the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.

Maguindanao Balik-Baril program, “a big help to start a new life”

(PIA 12)

BULUAN, Maguindanao (PIA) -- The visit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on April 25, to attend the launching of the Maguindanao Balik-Baril Program has developed a deep sense of gratitude from its beneficiaries.

Rashid (real name kept undisclosed for human rights decorum), one of the beneficiary of the Daganganni Babo (My Auntie Store) stall livelihood program said, “Sobra-sobra ang aming pasasalamat sa ating Pangulong Duterte at kay Governor Toto Mangudadatu sa malaking tulong na ito. Dahil dito, magkakaroon na kami ng panibagong pag-asa para sa isangmapayapa, marangal at maayos na pamumuhay para sa amingpamilya.” (We are grateful to President Duterte and Governor Bafor this big help. With this assistance, we are hopeful to start a peaceful and dignified life for our family.)

Under the newly launched Balik-Baril Program espoused by Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, four livelihood packages were given to the surrenderors by President Duterte.

The Dagangan ni Babo livelihood package was received by Rashid for his group. “Dadz” was handed an Inaul weaving package for the women’s, while an oil palm livelihood package was given to Norodin and his companion. The group under Nasrudin were awarded TESDA scholarship skills training.

A report from the Maguindanao Provincial Communications Office disclosed that Rashid and his Dagangan ni Babo group are recipients of the 1,000 rolling stalls made of steel and a start-up capital of P50,000.00 funded by Governor Toto Mangudadatu.

The launching of the Balik-Baril Program has yielded more or less 900 unlicensed firearms presented to President Duterte, AFP chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez PNP chief Oscar Albayaldeand Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and other guests.

At past five o’clock PM, in his late afternoon speech; amidst heavy rains, Duterte promised to Maguindanao residents and officials to declare the whole of Mindanao a land reform area and award the land, provide livelihood, seedlings and farm implements to residents who would surrender to the government. (AC Agad PIA 12)

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