Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News November 2014

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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.

All set for Hataman's last Sora

By Bong Garcia

COTABATO CITY - All is set for the second, and maybe the last, State of the Region Address (Sora) of Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) on Monday.

The Sora is scheduled at 2 p.m. at the compound of the Office of the Regional Government (ORG) in the city.

Inside sources said Hataman is expected to focus on the accomplishments of his administration for the past two years as the elected governor of Armm. He was elected to the post in 2013.

Among those who are expected to attend Hataman's Sora are Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles and Mohaqher Iqbal, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel.

All of the department heads and elected officials from Armm's five provinces are also attending Hataman's Sora.

Armm comprises of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Monday's Sora of Hataman may be the last since the Armm is set to be replaced next year by the Bangsamoro entity.

PNoy to attend last ARMM 'state of the region address'

By Dennis Arcon (InterAksyon.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III is expected to attend the last “state of the region address” of Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Monday.

Hataman will be reporting the accomplishments his administration has achieved, particularly reforms in governance such as the eradication of “ghost” teachers, students and schools, and infrastructure, and layout the projects to be implemented before the ARMM is formally dissolved to give way to the new Bangsamoro autonomous region to be created once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed and ratified.

Hataman will deliver his SORA at 2 p.m. Monday.

ARMM hails Aquino’s assurance on Basilan road project

(Manila Bulletin)

Cotabato City – The public works department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) lauded President Aquino III’s assurance to complete next year the construction of the Basilan circumferential road despite security threats posed by bandits belonging to the widely condemned Abu Sayyaf Groups (ASG).

“Our determination to pursue the project gained unquantifiable boost from it. Local civilian, police and military forces have been buoyed to finish the works,” Engr. Emil Sadain, public works secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said in a text message to the Bulletin.

Sadain, who leads development interventions in the ARMM island component provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, was referring to the President’s recent pronouncement during the 75th anniversary of the Department of National Defense at Camp Aguinaldo that the government would not allow lawless elements to further delay the project that began in 2002.

Once finished, the new highway would provide faster transportation of people and goods, and rev up socio-economic activities in Basilan, the President said.

“There are those who don’t want the project to proceed, those who benefit from disorder and lack of opportunities in the community. We will not allow their personal agenda (to take precedence),” Mr. Aquino said in Pilipino.

He added: “With the help of the Armed Forces and our local government units, the target completion date of the circumferential road is next year.”

Early this month, six soldiers guarding the road project were killed in a clash with ASG bandits. The military deployed more troops to hunt down the group responsible for the attack, as well as secure the highway.

The 80-kilometer road project, partly funded by the Saudi Arabian government, connects various towns in Basilan.

The highway construction which is part of the ARMM massive infrastructure program, has been disrupted by peace and order problems in the area. Around 2.5 kilometers are reportedly unfinished.

The President underscored the benefits of the Basilan road project, saying it will reduce the travel time around the island from three hours and 45 minutes to two hours.

Around 450,000 residents including fishermen and farmer will benefit from the newly paved road in Basilan, said the President.

The Basilan circumferential road, he added, would also enable government forces to respond faster and help people in times of need.

In his State of the Nation Address last July, the President underscored the need for the prompt completion of the road project, saying he does not intend to pass on the accruing problem to his successor.

20,000 fly kites in bid for peace, world record

By Allan Nawal and Charlie Señase (Inquirer Mindanao, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

COTABATO CITY—At least 20,000 people, mostly children, flew kites in several autonomous areas on Tuesday hoping to break the world record for most kites flown that had been set in 2011 by Gaza, one of the world’s most violent places that held the kite-flying event in a vain search for lasting peace.

The kite-flying event on Tuesday, organized by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in a gesture of support for the peace pact between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was held simultaneously in the ARMM provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Basilan and Lanao del Sur.

Jamal Kulayan, ARMM education secretary, said it was meant “to promote peace and harmony instead of violence and divisiveness.”

The Aquino administration wants to replace ARMM, which officials had described as a failed experiment in autonomy, with a new Bangsamoro entity outlined in its peace deal with MILF.

“Peace is coexistence,” said ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, who joined children in flying the kites.

He said the event was held to also beat the record for most kites flown currently being held by Gaza, a strip of land being contested by Israel and Palestine in the Middle East and where repeated efforts to bring peace had failed.

In a statement, the Dalai Lama lauded the ARMM for the kite-flying event.

Flying kites is a symbolic action for children not only in Gaza but in all other communities wracked by violence around the world, said Sarah Queblatin, a convener of the Kites for Peace.

Senate OKs P24-billion ARMM budget for 2015, the biggest in region's history

By Dennis Arcon (InterAksyon.com)

COTABATO CITY – Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is happy that the Senate approved the region’s P24-billion budget for 2015, the biggest in ARMM history.

He thanked the senators for their trust on his administration.

Almost half of the budget is for the region’s Department of Education, Hataman said.

The regional governor said the money will go to services for ARMM residents.

ARMM had been the most notoriously corrupt and poorly managed region in the country. It had repeatedly failed various standards of governance, ranking poor in poverty, education, health, and other quality of life measurements.

Book donation drive for kids in ARMM launched

(BM, GMA News)

The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepED-ARMM) on Tuesday launched a book donation drive for schoolchildren in the region.

The project, named “Learning Improvement through Book Reading Opportunities (LIBRO) Para sa Batang Bangsamoro,” is part of DepEd's celebration of November as National Reading Month.

In a release issued by the department, DepED-ARMM Regional Secretary Jamar Kulayan also said the project reinforces DepED’s “Every Child A Reader” Program.

“Reading is key to increasing their learning outcomes especially in the core subject areas such as English, Science and Math,” he said. Kulayan said that the LIBRO project is one of the initiatives DepEd-ARMM is doing in partnership with the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM), which is funded by the Australian government.

According to the DepEd's statement, BEAM-ARMM "delivers accessible and healthy learning facilities, quality teachers, learning materials, and a protective environment for schoolchildren in need and out-of-school youth, through effective, transparent and accountable management systems."

"Aside from the construction of classrooms, the BEAM-ARMM program will also help us rehabilitate more libraries and materials development centers in the five provinces of ARMM,” Kulayan said.

He also noted that entities from the private sector have also pledged to help the book drive, including the Junior Chamber International-Davao Chapter and the Young Moro Professionals, as well as public and private schools such as Claret School of Zamboanga, Ateneo de Zamboanga Grade School, and student organizations at the Western Mindanao University.

Kulayan said that those interested in donating books may contact BEAM-ARMM’s office in Cotabato at (064) 552-0868 and its field office in Zamboanga at (062) 955-3499, or visit its Facebook page.

Armm strengthens anti-drugs councils

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) is strengthening its anti-drug councils in provincial levels particularly in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).

Armm Governor Mujiv Hataman said Monday that the move is aimed to address the increasing criminality involving people hooked to the used prohibited drugs in the three provinces.

Hataman said there is a need to intensify the anti-drug campaign since almost every municipality in the three provinces face serious problem about prohibited drugs.

“Even those riding in tandem (gunmen) who are new recruits of the Abu Sayyaf Group, many of them are drug addicts,” Hataman said.

Hataman said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will deploy personnel to strengthen the campaign in the BaSulTa areas.

The increasing problem on prohibited drugs was discussed during the special Regional Peace and Order Council meeting Saturday in Zamboanga City, Hataman said.

ARMM Explores Entrepreneurship Program to spur Bangsamoro Economy

(RBOI/UNIDO)

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) considered the poorest region in the country is hoping that a program on entrepreneurship can spur more economic activity in the region.

Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) chairman, lawyer Ishak Mastura, who also heads the ARMM cabinet cluster on economic growth and linkages announced the program to develop entrepreneurship in the region after attending and representing the country at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) conference dubbed “Fostering Entrepreneurial Youth” in Vienna, Austria on November 11-13. More than 50 countries were represented at the conference, particularly countries where UNIDO conducts its entrepreneurship program like Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Cabo Verdo and Uganda.

Mastura said “as we transition to a post-conflict environment with the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro earlier this year, we believe that fostering Bangsamoro entrepreneurship ensures peace will become sustainable by seeing to it that whatever post-conflict funds that will pour into the region from both the government and foreign donors will lead to self-reliance, which is what entrepreneurship is all about, and not dependency.”

He added that currently there is a proposal from ARMM for UNIDO to extend its Entrepreneurship Curriculum Program (ECP), which he hopes can be realized next year at the earliest upon donor approval.

According to UNIDO, the ECP is a cost-effective investment in the development of entrepreneurial capacity of young people. ECP is inclusive since it reaches out to both girls and boys in rural and urban areas. It lays the ground for private sector development. Entrepreneurship is introduced as a subject in general secondary schools or technical and vocational schools.

Young people acquire personal qualities such as self-confidence, innovation and creativity, the ability to take initiatives, as well as the willingness to take calculated risks and to collaborate. They learn to save, invest and grow. These competencies help them select and shape their career path as employees or entrepreneurs.

The curriculum is action-oriented: more than 50 per cent of the programme’s time consists of practical research in identifying business opportunities, assessing resources for setting up and steering a business, and learning from successful entrepreneurs in their companies and in the classroom.

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman for his part said that the region is now enjoying an unprecedented period of economic growth with P3.3 billion private investments alone registered with the RBOI this year, a clear indication of the benefit of the successful peace process.

However, he cautioned that the government and donors cannot continuously be the primary source of economic activity in the region. Adding that “kailangan ma-develop ang sariling kakayahan ng Bangsamoro para ito maging sustainable at isa sa hakbang na isinasagawa ng ARMM bilang pag-handa sa Bangsamoro ang posibleng pag-adopt ng entrepreneurship program in the education of our youth.” (We need to develop self-reliance of the Bangsamoro for it to be sustainable and one of the steps that we are doing in the ARMM in preparation for the Bangsamoro is the possible adoption of entrepreneurship program in the education of our youth).

ARMM's public works chief named 'model official'

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Employees of the public works department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Friday greeted with a thanksgiving rite their secretary’s recognition as “model secretary” of ARMM.

The region’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was touted as the 2nd most corrupt regional agency in the past, second to the ARMM’s Department of Education.

Regional Public Works Secretary Hadji Emil Sadain personally received from the region’s chief executive, Gov. Mujiv Hataman, the Sharif Kabunsuan Merit Award during the “Gabi ng Parangal” last Tuesday, one of the highlights of the month-long celebration of the ARMM’s 25th founding anniversary.

The anniversary festivities, which started on November 17, will culminate on December 17.

The award Sadain received was named after Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan from what is now Johore in Malaysia. He was the first ever Muslim cleric to set foot in the 14th century to spread Islam in Central Mindanao.

Sadain was voted as ARMM’s model official for his prudent handling from 2012 to October 2014 of P2 billion worth of infrastructure projects, whose funding details and programs of work were made open to the media and civil society organizations.

The DPWH-ARMM was also awarded by Hataman with a separate citation for having been the regional government’s “top performer” in terms of project implementation and continuing revitalization of its ranks into a functional organization.

The DPWH-ARMM was a known hotbed of corruption during the time of past regional governors.

“Our secretary deserves such award. We are thankful to all public works employees of the autonomous region for working hard enough for our department to become the regional government’s `top performer,’ which is for us an honorable feat,” said engineer Don Loong, deputy regional public works secretary.

The DPWH-ARMM had paved 158.907 kilometers of roads crisscrossing the region’s five provinces in the past two years.

The department has concreted more than a hundred kilometers of old roads in the region during the period, according to reports from its component district engineering offices.

Sadain said they have also constructed 46 water systems in remote towns from 2012 to October this year.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) had earlier commended the DPWH-ARMM for its religious implementation of OPAPP’s “roads to peace” projects, designed to interconnect rebel enclaves to municipal trading centers.

The OPAPP is implementing 307 costly community infrastructure projects through Sadain’s office.

Amir Mawalil, information director of ARMM, said Hataman, who had served as officer-in-charge of the autonomous region for more than a year prior to his election in 2013 as regional governor, helped oversee the projects of the DPWH-ARMM on ministerial capacity.

“Gov. Hataman did not have problems in the implementation of the projects of this agency,” Mawalil said.

Malabang, Lanao del Sur receives P3.5M from DOLE TUPAD Project

By Joseph Nathan J. Fabrega (DOLE-X)

ILIGAN CITY, November 21 - The Department of Labor and Employment- X (DOLE-X) allocated the amount of P3,500.000.00 for the implementation of Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program/Emergency Employment Program (EPP) in the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

The project under the special project fund of DOLE and coordinated with the 2nd District of the province of Lanao del Sur was implemented for the less fortunate and marginalized constituents in the 10 identified barangays in the Municipality of Malabang, Lanao del Sur under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Omensalem S. Balindong. This is part of the 2nd District of the Province of Lanao del Sur, under Congressman Pangalian Balindong.

Series of meetings, caucus, and follow-up were done in the DOLE Central Office, DOLE Regional Office X and DOLE Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office as well as the LGU-Malabang. After weeks of validation made by the DOLE- X Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office in Iligan City, the project formally started on September 1, 2014 to October 9, 2014. Meanwhile, the orientation was conducted on September 3, 2014 at the Rancho Building, Multi-Function Hall, Barangay Campo Muslim, Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

Remegio Cabañog, DOLE-X Lanao del Norte Provincial Head said, “The aim of the DOLE TUPAD Project is to help the less fortunate/marginalized constituents in their daily financial needs for a period of 29 days emergency employment." It was implemented in the 10 barangays of the municipality with different type of works such as de-clogging of canals, street cleaning, repair of barangay roads, facilities and vegetation, clearing of the water and spring in barangay Bacayawan and Campo Muslim.”

Vice Mayor Anwar M. Balindong, representing the Local Chief Executive Mayor Omensalem S. Balindong, expressed appreciation to DOLE-X, through the provision of protective personal equipment (PPEs), t- shirts, hand gloves, and masks for the 466 beneficiaries. Balindong also informed that for their counterpart, they have provided bolos, rakes, shovels, wheel barrows, and hats to the respective beneficiaries.

“Our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the DOLE family for the timely project that you have shared to us that helped a lot of our constituents in providing emergency employment. We are hoping that this would not be the end of your help but rather it would be the beginning of much more productive projects,” mayor Balindong said.

‘Grand exit’ for ARMM as execs claim achievements

With a report by Charlie C. Senase (Inquirer Mindanao)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Calling it a grand exit for a political entity that had been described as a “failed experiment” in autonomy, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) celebrated its 25th, and probably last, anniversary dressed in its finest.

The streets of this city, where ARMM keeps its seat of government, exploded in a burst of colors as floats and performers took part in a parade leading to the ARMM compound on Wednesday.

“This is the first and the last celebration of anniversary for ARMM,” said Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

“All of us will have heavier and larger sacrifices if the Bangsamoro will not be realized before 2016,” he said.

The governor was referring to a move by the Aquino administration to replace ARMM with a Bangsamoro entity. A bill creating the new autonomous body has been certified urgent by President Benigno Aquino III following the signing of a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Performers danced and model Moro villages were displayed inside the ARMM compound.

One of the models is that of a fishing community in Tawi-Tawi that include real houses, boats in a pool with live sea creatures like octopus, fish, crabs and seashells.

Hataman said while the region may be assessed as a failure in general, the reforms initiated by the Aquino administration are worth celebrating.

“We were able to prove that the impossible can be made possible,” Hataman said.

Hataman said his brief tenure in the region led to some of the most drastic changes, like one that stopped the continued bleeding of the region’s coffers by so-called ghost employees.

He said at least P4 billion in investments had come in and P6 billion more are waiting in line.

Basic services, like health and education, had been delivered straight to communities, he said.

Security was tight during the anniversary celebration.

Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes, ARMM police chief, said security was particularly tight at the ARMM compound, where the anniversary rites were held.

Reyes said the recent statement made by Hataman calling for an all-out war on the Abu Sayyaf had made him and other ARMM officials targets of the crime group.

ARMM tribal villages open at the ORG complex

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

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 18 (PIA) --- The five cultural villages representing the component provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was opened today to the general public inside the ORG Compound in Cotabato City following its unveiling ceremony.

Dubbed as Pakaradjaan sa ARMM 2014, the display of mock-up traditional ARMM communities provides an avenue for visitors to enjoy the panoramic setting that resembles the rich culture of the five provinces of the ARMM. It is part of the month-long celebration of the 25th Founding Anniversary of the autonomous region.

Each cultural village features its traditional living, heritage and the arts, the people, and products depicted on a landscape consistent with the tribal communities in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi provinces.

A selection of Moro dishes and delicacies are also on display for sale.

Unveiled by Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, the villages also offer to visitors that feel of traditional life and the opportunity to purchase authentic products from the different areas in the ARMM.

“We are inviting our constituents in the ARMM and residents of Cotabato City to visit our tribal villages that showcase the rich cultural heritage of our five provinces here in the ARMM,” said Hataman.

The village exhibit will run for a month until the closing ceremony which will be held simultaneous with the celebration of Shariff Kabunsuan Day on December 19.

The autonomous region, with a population of over four million vastly of Moro descent, is comprised of the major ethno-linguistic tribes of the Tausug, Maguindaoan, Maranao, Iranun, Sama, and Yakan.

The creation of the ARMM was an offshoot of the years of peace negotiations between the national government and the Moro National Liberation Front. The current development on the peace process, pending ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, will abolish the ARMM to be replaced by a new political entity by 2016.

A distinct highlight for the concluding celebration of the quarter of its century existence, the regional government aims to provide a festive final commemoration before it bows down to give way to the smooth transition for the incoming Bangsamoro Entity.

AFP gives departure honors to five soldiers killed in Sulu encounter

By Monch L. Follosco

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday gave full military departure honors at the Base Operation Ramp of Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB), this city, to the five soldiers killed in acton in an encounter with the Abu Sayyag Group (ASG) in Sulu.

Two of the five fatalities were transported to Cagayan yesterday while the other three dead soldiers are scheduled to be flown to Luzon anytime today.

The five fatalities killed in a recent encounter with the ASG in Talipao, Sulu last Friday were identified as PFC Joey Blanche, Tacurong City; PFC Gabby Aches, Misamis Oriental; PFC Albert Villaluna, Luban, Occidental Mindoro; PFC Alison Claro, Gamu, Isabela and PFC Samuel Taluyan of Tamdan Kalinga.

Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) Commander Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will give the fallen and wounded soldiers the appropriate honors including a place for burial.

“This is one way of acknowledging their services to the armed forces, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang pagbibigay ng pugay sa ating mga magigiting na sundalo,” Guerrero said.

He added that the latest report on the ground is that there are already at least ten (10) killed and about thirty (30) wounded on the ASG side, headed by Commander Radulan.

“Our troops are continuing their pursuit operations in all areas where the ASG are located,” Guerrero added.

Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff, General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. on Saturday expressed his deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the fallen soldiers.

“Please allow me to express my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones while fighting for the country. I thank them for their selfless service,” Catapang said.

“I want to personally pin the Gold Cross Medals to all deserving warrior-leaders who displayed conspicuous courage in this particular firefight. Their

bravery must be emulated by all soldiers.” added Catapang.

ARMM settles P890M in GSIS premium arrears

(Inquirer Mindanao)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – In a bid to improve access to the services of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), top management executives of the agency have been going the rounds of provinces nationwide to touch-base with the firm’s 48 branches and stakeholders to get their concerns, suggestions, complaints about the granting of loans and benefits to pensioners.

For one, the use of a private (Union Bank), instead of a government bank in drawing regular pension and other benefits has been resolved when the GSIS decided to tap the services of the Land Bank of the Philippines in areas where GSIS has not set up a branch, said GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara.

Vergara was here Saturday for a two-day meeting with stakeholders of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, lauding efforts of the regional government to settle unremitted premiums, including arrears, of 26,000 education department employees amounting to nearly a billion pesos.

With the help of the Department of Budget and Management, as agreed upon by the GSIS and the Office of the Regional Governor, the account that ballooned to P990 million from 1997 to the present has been partly settled through a DBM check of P890 million under a signed Memorandum of Agreement.

The remaining balance of about P100 million is set to be fully paid before the year ends, according to ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, who had worked out solutions to allow affected DepEd teachers and employees to avail of GSIS loans and other benefits.

Hataman’s mission to institute reform in the regional bureaucracy, according to Vergara, is also his role in the GSIS after he took over the controversy-wracked Winston Garcia leadership that saw mass action from GSIS union workers at the central office and which ended in a Supreme Court ruling upholding the workers’ rights for reform at the state-pension fund agency.

Accompanied by four GSIS executives, Vergara said they would look into the plight of government workers as it offered lately “calamity loans” to flood-affected members in Mindanao of up to P40,000 with low interest rate of six percent per annum, payable in 36 monthly installments.

He said some 4,162 qualified GSIS members in Mindanao could avail of the emergency loan program.

The GSIS also announced to have turned over a P144.2-million check to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines for use in the rehabilitation of Tacloban City airport destroyed by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) in 2013.

“We have noted all valid sentiments of stakeholders in our report to the GSIS president that needed perusal and prompt action,” said Rosalinda Mendoza, GSIS-ARMM manager.

“We have to regain the trust and confidence of our stakeholders by promoting efficient service,” said Vergara, an October recipient of an Outstanding Public Servant Award from the Public Attorneys Office based on responsive service to nearly two million GSIS members.

“Before President Aquino’s term ends, we hope to have reformed and rebuilt GSIS as the premier pension fund institution, transparent, autonomous, and beyond public reproach just like what Hataman did to ARMM in his brief stint as regional governor,” Vergara told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Maguindanao execs form new peace-oriented bloc

By John Unson (philstar.com)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process are optimistic of a more peaceful Maguindanao in days to come following Thursday's regrouping of local executives into a solid peace advocacy bloc.

In a statement Saturday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the gesture of the local officials, who belong to the Association of Lumad, Iranun and Maguindanaon Leaders (ALIM), will boost the efforts of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to restore normalcy in Maguindanao's 36 towns.

Mayors, vice-mayors, and members of the provincial board took turns reaffirming their commitment to the GPH-MILF peace efforts and their readiness to help oversee the government's now 18-year ceasefire accord with the rebel group during ALIM's 2nd grand assembly on Thursday at the Al-Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City.

"The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is thankful to all members of this organization and to its two main benefactors, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat," Deles was quoted as saying in an official communique emailed by OPAPP's Mindanao Press Office in Cotabato City.

The pledging session of the local officials capped off the group's assembly, which was also attended by Maguindanao Rep. Sandra Sema and two representatives of the province to the 24-seat Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Speaker Ronnie Sinsuat and Assemblyman Khadafy Mangudadatu.

The assembly, where participants discussed vital security concerns, was presided over by Sema, Gov. Mangudadatu and the Vice Gov. Sinsuat, who is ALIM's present chairman.

Gov. Mangudadatu and the vice governor both said they are for the speedy enactment of the draft BBL, the enabling measure for the creation of a Bangsamoro entity based on the final peace compact between the government and the MILF.

Once enacted into law and ratified through a plebiscite, the Bangsamoro bill will pave the way for the replacement of ARMM with an MILF-led more politically and administratively empowered Bangsamoro self-governing entity.

A senior member of the provincial board, lawyer Bobby Katambak, one of the organizers of the ALIM assembly, said the event was meant to disprove assertions by cynics that local officials in Maguindanao are fragmented on their positions on the government's on-going peace overture with the MILF.

ALIM members agreed during their assembly to unite and help each other sustain the momentum of the on-going recovery of the province from devastation wrought by decades of secessionist conflicts.

Maguindanao is host to more than 50 government-acknowledged MILF enclaves covered by the group's July 1997 ceasefire pact with government.

Sinsuat had told reporters the gathering of ALIM members was also to disprove spreading rumors that he and the provincial governor, now the group's chairman emeritus, have become estranged due to irreconcilable political differences.

"There is no truth to that. We cannot be separated politically because we have the same visions of peace and development and we are related to each other by blood," the vice governor said.

Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said the promise of ALIM members to help enforce the GPH-MILF ceasefire in their respective communities will bolster the cordiality between the military and guerilla forces in Maguindanao.

Pangilinan said the 36 mayors in Maguindanao have the power and resources, as provided for by the Local Government Code, to help the 6th ID, along with the MILF's ceasefire committee, peacefully address all domestic peace and security issues besetting their respective municipalities.

643 ARMM ‘Iskolar’ get scholarship allowance

(ARMM Bureau of Public Information)

Six hundred forty-three “Iskolar” students from Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur received their scholarship allowance on Tuesday at the Office of the Bangsamoro People in Cotabato City.

Governor Mujiv S. Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and his chief of staff, Amihilda Sangcopan, handed over to each Iskolar beneficiary the check amounting to P10,000 for full scholarship and P5,000 for partial scholars to defray educational cost for the 2nd semester of school year 2014.

“Iskolar” is a flagship program of the ARMM government granting partial and full scholarship to poor but deserving students in the region.

Now on its 2nd phase of implementation, the scholarship program has provided educational assistance to more than a thousand top qualifiers who passed the screening process.

The scholars went through rigid and transparent examinations and a panel interview overseen by Sangcopan, Deputy Chief Assistant Secretary Numeiry Jalani, and representatives from partner agencies like the Commission on Higher Education.

Sangcopan urged the scholars to do their best in their studies. “Parallel with the privilege is your responsibility to maintain your grades eligible for the scholarship.”

Around 11,000 aspirants were screened for the Iskolar program in the five component provinces of ARMM this year.

John Mokudef , 19, of the indigenous tribe Teduray is studying BS Agriculture at the Upi Agricultural School in Upi, Maguindanao.

He expressed gratitude for the scholarship granted by the working ARMM government, which he said has provided him the opportunity to continue his education despite the financial constraint faced by his family.

“The Iskolar program is a big help for our family and to me personally. I can continue my college for free. In fact, I share some of my allowance with my other brothers who are also in school,” he said.

John’s family solely depends on farming as primary source of income. He’s the fifth child in a brood of seven.

Al Rashid Balabagan, 18, son of a widow and a 2nd year education student at the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College urged his fellow scholars to continue banking on their dreams and to never waste the given opportunity.

“We are very much privileged for being chosen out of the thousands who applied. We have to prove that we deserve this,” he said.

Al Rashid also conveyed his message for those who weren’t able to make it on the list. “Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, take lang ng take, ituloy lang paghanap ng oportunidad para makapag-aral para sa sariling kinabukasan.”

ARMM’s ‘Kite for Peace’ to amplify children’s stand against armed conflict

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

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 13 (PIA) --- More than 13,000 children from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will simultaneously fly their kites from their assigned areas on November 25 to amplify their stand against violence and armed conflict.

The Department of Education (DepED)-ARMM, in partnership with the Coordinating and Development Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA), organized the kite flying activity to help advocate children’s rights and as part of the 25th founding anniversary of the ARMM.

The activity is also being supported by the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, and the Coalition of Organization for Reform and Empowerment (CORE-ARMM).

Leah Tarhata Mehila, YMPN coordinator and secretariat, said the “Kites for Peace” in the ARMM is a collaborative activity to convey the message of peace, especially among the most vulnerable sector in conflict areas, the children.

“We also wish to set up a new record as to the most number of children who will fly kites simultaneously and surpass the Guiness World Record holder, Gaza, Palestine, with 13,000 kids in 2011,” she said.

Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman will lead the kite flying at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City, a major venue for the event, which is also the kick-off day for the Mindanao Week of Peace, a part of the ARMM’s silver jubilee celebration.

Apart from the open spaces along school premises, the activity will be simultaneously held all over the ARMM, to include the Mindanao State University oval in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; DepED oval in Tawi-tawi; Capitol grounds in Sulu; Lamitan National High School ground in Basilan; and MSU-Dalican in Maguindanao .

A memorandum has been issued by the DepED-ARMM to ensure mass participation of the 2,000 public elementary schools within the autonomous region.

Pupils from grade 3 to 6 are enjoined to take part in the activity with at least 10 kites for each section.

ARMM line agencies, local government officials, peace stakeholders, civil society organizations, youth groups, and representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have expressed their support and participation in the event.

P1 million prize at stake for tribal village contest on 25th ARMM anniversary

By Hader Glang

Prize money at the first ever tribal village competition will be a record P1 million during the foundation anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), an event organizer said.

“There will be competition as far as the different tribal community (in the ARMM) is concerned... the price will be P1 million pesos,” ARMM-DILG Assistanct Secretary. Juni Ilimin told reporters.

A month-long commemoration will kick off on November 17 to celebrate the ARMM’s 25th foundation anniversary at the ORG Complex in Cotabato City.

“This will be a month long commemoration and possively the last anniversary for the ARMM considering that next year will be the entry of Bangsamoro government,” said Ilimin.

According to Ilimin, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the ARMM has already been directed to construct tribal villages inside the ORG Complex in Cotabato City for the said competition.

“There are no modern materials to be used... we will be using native or indigenous materials,” he added.

The focal persons for the tribal competition are Asec. Ilimin for Basilan, DPWH-ARMM Asec. Don Loong for Sulu, DepEd ARMM Asec. Noor Mohammad Saada for Tawi-Tawi, ARMM Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman for Lanao del Suir, an Asec. Matalam for Maguindanao.

Ilimin disclosed that Lanao del Sur delegation headed by Vice Governor Lucman will be building a Sarimanok” village and will be bringing the Maranao Sultante to make it more authentic, while on the part of Yakan they will be bringing their dance cultural troupe.

“We will also be presenting our traditional kick dancing, other dances and the Yakan wedding,” said Ilimin. “There will be competition on food festival... we will be bringing our native foods or delicacies, a competition of most handsome man in the tribal communities in ARMM; so the over all title (for the ARMM anniversary) is ‘pakaradjaan’.

Ilimin, meanwhile, bared that President Benigno Aquino III and other top national government officials are expected to grace the 25th ARMM Anniversary.

“Pagandahan ng village, pasarapan ng natibong pagkain at marami pang iba... package na ito for the best tribe in the entire autonomous region,” Ilimin said.

Ilimin also said that the all-out law enforcement operation against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan will not in any way affect the month-long commemoration of the ARMM’s foundation anniversary as the military operation is only focus on two villages particularly in Sumisip.

“HIndi makaka-apekto ito as it is not wide operation,” Ilimin said.as he explained that all-out offensive against Abu Sayyaf in Basilan is not only military action but also a holistic approach and socio-economic offensive.

“On he part of ARMM government, we are always on an all-out war against poverty, an all-out war against under development, an all-out war against human rights violation... ang daming approach...ito ay pangkalahatan ito yung comprehensive approach hindi lang naman sa military aspect kundi sa ibat ibang aspect,” he said.

PNoy lauds ARMM’s record P3.3 B investment

(RBOI-ARMM/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Nov. 10 (PIA) -- The leaders of the Regional Board of Investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are overjoyed over the praise they received from President Benigno Aquino III during his visit in Davao City on Thursday.

In his speech at the Philippine Development Forum on the Bangsamoro at the SMX Convention Hall Pres. Aquino cited the record-breaking and all-time high investments in the ARMM amounting to P3.3-B this year, saying this is part of the early gains of overall peace process in Mindanao.

In particular, he added, the government's landmark peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, brought about stability and a good climate for investments in the ARMM.

"The early impact of our efforts at peace, stability, and fostering a good business climate, has been near instant. Just look at ARMM. In just the first nine months of 2014, they registered a yearly all-time high of P3.37 billion in investments.

“This is more than double the P1.46 billion in investments recorded in 2013, and almost six times the P569 million in investments ARMM received in 2012.

“ARMM’s GDP has likewise been on an upswing, from a contraction of 0.3 percent in 2011, to a growth of 1.2 percent in 2012, and a growth of 3.6 percent in 2013. I am told that the growth of 5.6 this year is very attainable," the President said.

Regarding this RBOI chairman and managing head, Atty Ishak V. Mastura thanked the President and ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman for their unstinting support in promoting investments in the ARMM.

"The efforts of President Aquino at the beginning of his term in bringing peace to Mindanao was noticed by local businessmen in the ARMM and they responded positively to his peace efforts by re-investing their hard won capital in the region," Mastura said.

Mastura added that Regional Governor Hataman was instrumental in convincing local businessmen that this time the peace efforts of the government will not be in vain but will be sustainable.

Hataman, on the other hand, said that he built the confidence of the business sector in the ARMM to continue investing in the region through his own unwavering support to the agenda for peace and development of the Aquino administration and to the reforms in governance that he started in the regional government.

According to him, " the President and our constituents can rely on all of us in the autonomous regional government that we will reach the target economic growth rate of 5% this year with our best efforts.”

Mindanao Muslims seek gov’t help to preserve 634-year-old mosque in Tawi-Tawi

By Julie S. Alipala (Inquirer Mindanao)

SIMUNUL, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines—Through the help of residents here, the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum mosque, the oldest historical and religious landmark in the country, was able to survive the elements for more than 600 years.

Muhulis Bayo, 56 and president of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Foundation, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that since the mosque was built, there were only two government efforts that “sincerely tried to protect and preserve” the historical site – in 1980 during the Marcos government and recently when Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Mujiv Hataman ordered the release of P1 million for rehabilitation works.

In 2011, Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong passed House resolution 1105 pushing to declare the shrine as a national heritage. In May 2013, President Aquino signed into law Republic Act 10573, declaring the Sheikh Karimal Makhdum mosque in Tubig Indangan, Simunul town as the site of one of the oldest existing Muslim houses of prayer in the Philippines and as a national historical landmark of the country.

But villagers here fear that whatever remains of the mosque would be lost if the national government does not intervene to help in its preservation.

Ajam Marinita Abduljafar, 75, said the remaining parts of the mosque have been gradually diminishing.

“What we have now are these four pillars or posts, some forgotten graveyards and old stones,” she said.

Abduljafar said she grew up witnessing how the mosque was — “with coconut thatch as roof, big posts as foundation.”

“During our time, everything was made of wood and light materials. It was during the Marcos administration when the mosque became concrete, but the big posts were salvaged and protected with clothes and glass,” she said.

“They have been giving importance to old buildings and houses in Luzon and Visayas. Those (houses and buildings) were built in 1700 and 1800, ours dates back 1300 yet it seems government is too slow,” Abduljafar’s lamented.

Sherhaina Paslangan, a school teacher of Bakong Elementary School here, said residents of Tubig Indangan and nearby villages “give whatever amount we have to help preserve the mosque.”

Those who do not have money, they volunteer in the repair works, according to Paslangan.

As a teacher, Paslangan said she made sure that her students knew the history of the mosque.

The mosque was built by Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, an Arab missionary who set foot in Simunul in 1380.

Simunul Mayor Nazif Ahmad Abdurahman said Makhdum built the mosque “almost 200 years before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu in 1521.”

What remains of the original mosque are its four pillars made from Ipil hardwood or Intsia Bijuga — which is known for being naturally termite-resistant.

The pillars survived 634 years of being exposed to the sun, salt water and rain.

“What we did before was to cover it with glass but the National Historical Commission advised us to remove the glass because it will accumulate moisture,” Bayo said.

Except for one, the pillars are now covered with white cloth. Islam believers embrace the exposed pillar as they pray.

Makhdum was buried in a site near the mosque. But his tomb is also facing disintegration as residents have started erecting houses, kitchens and even toilets.

Hataman confirmed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer that P1 million was released for the rehabilitation of the mosque. He said the foundation requested for a P10 million for rehabilitation and restoration, “but it is still under review.”

“And through the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly, a board was created to manage the Makhdum mosque to ensure its utmost protection and preserve whatever is existing,” he added.

Bayo said the National Historical Commission has earmarked P15 million for preservation and a construction of a new mosque.

“The old mosque is now a museum. It will be untouched and everything is preserved. Another mosque just near the shrine and tomb will be erected,” Bayo said.

Bayo, however, said the construction of a new mosque would depend on the budget release.

In the meantime, he said, “the Commission advised us to continue with the way how we preserve the mosque.”

ARMM’s 3-week anniversary feast launched in Tawi-Tawi

(Daily Zamboanga Times)

The culturally diverse residents of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Friday started celebrating the ARMM’s 25th founding anniversary, the last if Congress forges ahead with the creation next year of the Bangsamoro government.

The launching of the three-week commemoration of the ARMM’s anniversary was simultaneous with the observance in all five provinces of the autonomous region of the Karimul Makdum Day, a regional non-working holiday.

The holiday, observed every 7th day of November, is meant to remind ARMM’s Muslim, Christian and lumad communities of the arrival in the 14th century of Arab missionary Makdum in the seaside Bohe Indangan village in what is now Simunul island town in Tawi-Tawi to spread Islam.

More Arab clerics set foot in Tawi-Tawi and in the now chartered municipalities of Indanan, Patikul and Jolo, all in Sulu, after Makdum had settled in Bohe Indangan where he established communities based on the Islamic principles of oneness of faith and governance and equality of men regardless of races and religions.

The symbolic kickoff for the ARMM’s 2014 anniversary feast was capped off with a fluvial parade from Bongao, capital town of Tawi-Tawi province, to Simunul.

Tawi-Tawi Gov. Nurbert Sahali and his older sibling, Rep. Ruby Sahali, helped oversee the festivity

The ARMM’s chief executive, Gov. Mujiv Hataman, presided over a special meeting of members of the regional cabinet in Simunul as one of the highlights of the event.

“We are grateful to the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi and all mayors in the province for supporting this event,” Hataman said.

Hataman said this year’s celebration of the 25th year of ARMM, created through a plebiscite in 1990, could be the last owing to the possibility of the replacement of the regional government with a new Bangsamoro political entity based on Malacañang’s final peace compact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The enabling measure for the deactivation of the ARMM and its replacement with an MILF-led Bangsamoro region, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, is now in Congress.

“We are looking forward to a good take off of the GPH-MILF peace agreement. We shall vacate our posts feeling proud that we have done a lot of improvements in terms of governance, particularly in the implementation of very costly infrastructure projects,” Hataman said.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, which the MILF wants to group together as part of the proposed Bangsamoro core territory.

ARMM observes Sheik Makhdum day

(ORVRivera-PIA12)

COTABATO CITY, Nov 7 (PIA) – The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) observes November 7 as a special public holiday in observance of Sheik Karimul Makhdum Day.

This is in reference to Executive Order No. 40 dated November 4, 1991 declaring November 7 of every year as Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day in honor and recognition the earliest missionary who propagated Islamic faith in the country.

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman appeals to all government employees and constituents of ARMM to “commemorate this religious event in a manner appropriate for the said occasion.”

Sheik Karimul Makdum, also named Makdum Karim in some Islamic history books, first set foot in Bohe Indangan, or Tubig Indangan in Tausog, in what is now island town of Simunul in Tawi-Tawi, and built there what was to become the country’s first ever mosque just as he started preaching to the area’s Samah seafaring inhabitants.

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

Women Power Shines in Sulu Province

By Franzi Sali

SULU – Hundreds of women have flocked to the Sulu Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Patikul town where the Sulu Provincial Women Council recently held its 4th General Assembly.

With the theme “INDAH, Ang Tatag mo ay Tatag natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” the assembly tackled various development and livelihood projects planned for the years to come.

Hadja Nurunisah Tan, who is the chairperson of the Sulu Provincial Women Council and very active in medical and humanitarian missions being a registered nurse, led the different activities.

Officers and members of the 19 Municipal Women Councils in the province made up the bulk of the attendees with SPWC Vice President Dr. Fahra Omar opening the General Assembly.

Sulu Vice-Governor Sakur Tan represented the provincial governor and he also spoke during the event. He also read the governor’s message before the ecstatic crowd.

Vice Governor Tan said he was privileged to represent Governor Totoh Tan and at the same time apologized because the Chief Executive was not able to attend the important gathering.

He said through the years, the women of Sulu have proven their worth many times over and in many instances, serving communities even beyond the borders of the province to answer calls of distress from victims of calamities and extending consoling hands to those who are in need.

He said the genuine concern they have demonstrated in the performance of their responsibilities in social services and outreach programs may have escaped the attention of the general public, perhaps for the reason that they go about their tasks and endeavors without begging for publicity and media mileage. He said such is the measurement of selfless service worth emulating.

“I have always been guided by the principle that when offering assistance or help to anyone, I do so with pure intention, without counting the cost or expecting repayment in kind. In the tradition of the Holy Prophet, sallallahualaihiwasallam, what you give with your right hand should not be visible to the left hand.”

“This principle had served me well in both my public and private life and I do believe the same principle when applied by those who are in authority will not only be the in the service of God but of mankind as well,” Vice Governor Tan said.

He said during his tenure as Governor, he had no second thoughts in initiating the construction of the Women and Children’s Center at the site of the old Provincial Jail. “At the inauguration of the Center, I said that from the site which formerly housed criminals and scourge of society arose a beautiful building for noble intentions and purposes. With resolve and dogged determination to pursue a set target for the common good, we can overcome challenges and hurdles strewn in our path,” he said.

“I work by the same principle in efforts to bring changes to Sulu and in creating a new breed of Tausug with a different attitude and mindset from the usual typecasting which places our province and people in a disadvantage. We cannot move forward when we are shackled by the chains of ignorance, mistaken beliefs and outdated traditions,” he added.

Vice Governor Tan also encourage the women to set a goal in their life and to be able to achieve it. “I do admit that the task of changing attitudes and mindsets is daunting and bordering in the impossible. But shall we just sit down and accept defeat? We may not see an ideal situation during many lifetimes, but let us be consoled by the fact that we tried and took the initial few steps leading to that direction that posterity will judge us kindly.”

“From the remains of a prison house, the Women and Children’s Center arose like a proverbial bird from the ruins and dirt. It is now the nerve center of Sulu women branching out to serve the most vulnerable sector of our society and reaching out to fulfil the many needs and demands of our people. Most of the credit goes to the leadership of the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council. We may have built a house for their use but our women gave it soul and conscience,” he said.

He said concerns in education, health services, peace and order and governance to name a few, are not the monopoly of any particular gender. He said they are shared concerns, responsibilities and tasks crossing over gender borders.

“We are all in this together. As partners in nation-building and sharing common aspirations, let no particular sector be content with merely criticizing for the sake of criticism or fault-find just to elicit attention. It may sound overused, but if you cannot play your role as part of the solution, then do not attempt to be part of the problem. Women have indeed come a long way. Their presence is acknowledged in every field and their contributions to society are immeasurable,” he said.

He also administered the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the Municipal Women Councils. Aside from Hadja Nurunisah Tan and Dr. Fahra Omar, the other Sulu Provincial Women Council Officers for 2013-2016 are Charisma S. Ututalum, MHA Vice Chairperson for External Affairs; Eleonor N. Ilustre, Secretary; Nurhata M. Salahuddin, Treasurer; Aisa J. Akalal, Auditor; Sitti Kausar H. Sahijuan, PIO.

And Merilyn J. Amin, Chairperson on Livelihood Programs Committee; Norma A. Abdulla, Chairperson on Education Committee; Lynde Moreno, Chairperson on Health Committee; Amelyn I. Tan, Chairperson on Environment and Sanitation Committee; Mercian Aspi, Chairperson on Membership Committee; Charina I. Isahac, Chairperson on Gender and Development Committee; Rufaida Tan, Chairperson on Peace and Governance Committee; Jainab Abdulmajid, Chairperson on Information and Communication Committee and Aisa J. Akalal, Chairperson on Cultural Affairs Committee.

The assembly also held seminar and workshops on health, education, gender and development, livelihood, environment, peace and reconciliation and cultural heritage, among others.

ARMM agencies clear major rivers of water hyacinths to prevent floods

(PNA)

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Tuesday started clearing portions of the Rio Grande de Mindanao where water hyacinths had started to build up since yesterday.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said personnel from the region’s department of public works, Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team and volunteers, have started clearing the Tamontaka River and Rio Grande de Mindanao of water lilies that pose danger to bridges and even trigger floods in low-lying communities.

Many residents in communities living along these two big rivers' banks have complained of stagnant flood water when the waterways overflowed because the water flow was obstructed by tons of water hyacinths.

The Cotabato City government through its amphibious backhoe equipment is also conducting clearing operations.

6,000 DepEd-ARMM employees to get GSIS refund

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

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 4 (PIA) --- Some 6,000 employees from the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) will finally get their refunds from the state pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Jamar Kulayan, DepED-ARMM secretary, said an aggregate amount of more than P200-M is to be credited to the eCards of these beneficiaries after their accounts have been reconciled and updated by the GSIS since the 3rd week of August 2014.

Following the June 11 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed by the ARMM and GSIS with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the state insurance agency started to refund the unpaid premiums deducted from the cash surrender value and maturity value of the DepED employees.

More than one billion outstanding obligations, with condoned interest of the unpaid premiums, were paid by the DBM to the GSIS in favor of the DepED-ARMM.

Lourdes Dorado, vice-president for housing and insurance group, in an email sent to Kulayan, informed the DepED-ARMM workforce that efforts in the reconciliation and posting for the 26,000 members covered by the MOA are expected to be completed the 1st week of November.

In effect, about 2,500 retired or separated employees will receive an adjustment in their retirement or separation benefits.

Creditable service or period with paid premiums of employees who are still active will be adjusted to increase their benefits when they retire or resign, she said.

Robert G. Vergara, GSIS president and general manager, will convene with ARMM officials and GSIS members in Maguindanao and Cotabato City for a dialogue on November 14.

ARMM investments reach P1.45-B

By A. Perez Rimando

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao—Total investments in the first quarter of 2014 of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) reached P1.451 billion, almost eclipsing last year’s P1.463 billion, the Regional Board of Investment (RBOI) announced here recently.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI chairman, said ”the 2013 annual investment was the first time the region breached the P1-billion mark which may surge to P2 billion at the end of 2014.”

He attributed the ARMM’s improved business outlook to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) approved by the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front with the draft submitted personally by President Benigno Aquino III to Congress last September 10.

Mastura cited “good governance as contributing factor” saying that ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman has been conducting “hands-on investment promotion by enticing investors to expand their operations or to put up new enterprises in the region.”

Mastura identified three RBOI-registered last year as Lamsa Power Corp. (PC) based in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao; SR Languyan Mining Corp. in Barangay Darussalam, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi; and ABSCOR Multi-Trading Co. in Barangay Port Holland, Maluso, Basilan.

“Lamsan PC registered a P922-million pioneer biomass renewable energy project which utilizes rice hull, corn husks, cobs and other agricultural waste from its own cornstarch plant with a capacity of 15 megawatts (MW)”.

This will reduce power consumption of its cornstarch operations and augment power reserves of the National Power Corp. and the Mindanao Grid since Lamisan PC will be selling 11.5 MW to these power firms, said Mastura who quoted Hataman as saying that power generation “is an important support facility that will encourage more business to flourish in the region.”

Mastura said SR Languyan Mining alloted “P520 million for a nickel ore mining project with an annual capacity of one million metric tons” even as the ABSCOR “transacts its business operations in the geographic areas of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines that are under the East ASEAN Growth Area, commonly called BIMP-EAGA.”

The three companies have hired more than 1,100 local inhabitants, thus easing the unemployment problem in the host communities, he said.

5th Maguindanao massacre anniversary focus of intl media group's anti-impunity month activities

By Joel Locsin /LBG (GMA News)

The fifth anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre will be a focal point of an international media watchdog group's activities month-long activities seeking an end to impunity against media workers.

In a statement, the International Federation of Journalists said the actions this November are part of what it called a global campaign to end impunity for crime against journalists.

"We plan to roll out our campaign from 2 to 23 November and we need the involvement of all IFJ affiliates to make it a success," it said.

The IFJ said the United Nations Day against impunity for violence targeting journalists will be marked for the first time Nov. 2, after it was adopted on December 18 last year.

Nov. 2 marks the first anniversary of the killings of two RFI reporters, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, who were murdered in Kidal, Mali in 2013.

IFJ said this will be another opportunity "to press governments around the world on their obligation to investigate attacks on journalists and punish their perpetrators."

On the other hand, it said the occasion comes ahead of November 23, which it said is another important date marking the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines.

In November 2009, at least 32 journalists were killed in what the IFJ said was the single deadliest attack on media.

Nov. 23 Thunderclap Campaign

The fifth anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre will be the major finale for the IFJ's campaign.

It will focus on the most dangerous countries for journalists, including Mexico, Somalia and the Philippines, which IFJ said will be the next group target in its end impunity campaign.

"To this end, we suggest organizing a thunderclap campaign, which is a very efficient online platform to rally people and spread the message in support of a cause such as our campaign," it said.

Users may sign up to Thunderclap via Twitter and Facebook "and the message will be sent on the same day and posted on your Facebook where your friends and contacts can see it."

It asked netizens to mobilize members to help achieve a social reach of at least 50.000 people joining this Thunderclap campaign by November 23.

The IFJ said it will use the #End of Impunity poster with the following message:

“On 23 November 2014; Let Us Speak Out Louder than Ever before against Impunity for Crime against Journalists, On this International Day against Impunity for Crime targeting Journalists, we want to urge governments around the world to make the end of impunity a law and order priority.

"Violence against journalists in many countries, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Somalia and Syria has reached records levels in recent years. We believe that impunity enjoyed by those attacking journalists is the chief reason for making journalism a dangerous profession in the world.

"On 18 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly established an annual UN Day against impunity for crime targeting journalists which was marked for the first time on 2 November. This is date on which two French reporters, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon; were murdered in Mali last year. We urge all heads of states and governments to genuinely implement this resolution and show their personal commitment by ordering independent investigations into all unresolved cases of journalists’ killings in their countries.”

Video campaign

The IFJ asked those who know a colleague or a family member of a killed journalist in their country to "ask them to make a two-minute video message about the need to secure justice for their loved ones."

Such videos will be posted to the IFJ website.

IFJ also prepared an #EndImpunity campaign poster that can be downloaded for use on Twitter or Facebook.

"Please encourage all your members and their friends to download it, take picture holding it and attach a brief message to the President or Prime Minister of your country, urging them to take a public stand against impunity for crime targeting journalists. Then, tweet it, post it on Facebook and send it to us so that we can share with all IFJ family," it said.

A sample message for Twitter may read:

“President or Prime Minister [add name ], on @UN Day v. impunity what are you doing to end violence against journalists in [add name of country] #EndImpunity”

A sample message for Facebook may read:

“Dear [add Mr President or Mr Prime Minister], On this UN Day against impunity for crime targeting journalists, we urge you to take a public stand against forms of violence on media professionals in [add name of your country] and direct your government’s services to investigate all attacks on journalists and media staff. Thank You.”

Farm marks massacre site

By A. Perez Rimando

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao—A Malaysian company has started preparations to plant Cavendish bananas on the infamous site in Ampatuan where 58 people, including 32 journalists, were massacred five years ago by gunmen hired by a powerful political family, officials said on Friday. Esmael Mangudadatu

Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said the Malaysia-based Al-Mujahidum Agro Resources and Development Inc (AMARDI) will develop 1,500 hectares in Ampatuan and nearby areas into a Cavendish banana plantation to fill demands for the product in the United States, Europe and several countries in Asia.

“An agreement to implement the project has been signed with AMARDI,” Mangudadatu said.

The journalists were part of a convoy of cars led by Mangudadatu’s wife, Genalyn, who was on her way to file Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy for governor in the 2010 local elections. Mangudadatu, who was then vice mayor of Buluan town, was challenging the incumbent governor, Zaldy Ampatuan, Jr.

Armed men stopped the convoy in Barangay Masalay in Ampatuan . They were mowed down with automatic fire and buried in mass graves a short distance from the highway.

Mangudadatu, who went on to win as governor, said AMARDI will hire 2,000 workers, mostly former rebels, who had laid down their arms and live normal lives with their families.

“The company will plant three million seedlings or 2,000 seedlings per hectare at a five meters apart,” Mangudadatu said. “The seedlings were purchased from a banana plantation company in Davao City.”

He said the plantation was expected to boost the economic development of the area and correct wrong impressions about Maguindanao as violent-prone province because of the presence of Muslim rebels.

Mangudadatu called on business groups to visit the province because “Malaysian investors have also put up palm oil plantations in areas where banana plantation is not viable.”

Mangudadatu and Ampatuan Mayor Rasul Sangki signed the memorandum of agreement with AMARDI. Among those who witnessed the signing were Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Agriculture Secretary Makmod Mending and Amardi representatives Gonzalo Ordenana of Puerto Rico and Michael Coote of Australia.

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