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==DAF-ARMM gives P3 M livelihood project to Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao farmers==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2411427773170/daf-armm-gives-p3-m-livelihood-project-to-sultan-kudarat-maguindanao-farmers
*Tuesday, March 31, 2015
:(ORVRivera-PIA12)
COTABATO CITY, Mar 31 (PIA) – Farmers from Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao will benefit from a P3M farming livelihood project from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM).
The project consists of a vegetable farming livelihood project and a solar dryer funded under the Bottom up Budgeting (BuB) program.
Under the BuB, farmers’ associations presented project proposals through the assistance of the municipal agriculture office.
Sultan Kudarat Mayor Datu Shameem Mastura said some 200 families from the farming community of Brgy. Panatan and neighboring barangays will benefit from the said project.
The official also thanked the regional government for the new assistance in their locality.
“The municipal government of Sultan Kudarat expresses its gratitude to DAF-ARMM for this project. The project is an opportunity for farmers in their barangays to be more productive, Mastura said,” he said.
Mastura added that the projects will help marginalized farmers uplift their economic status by enhancing their production capability.
==DSWD sends more aids for armed conflict evacuees==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=749226
*Monday, March 30, 2015
:(PNA), RMA/DSWD-PR/LSJ/EDS
MANILA, March 30 (PNA) -- To securely address the needs of displaced families brought about by the ongoing armed conflict in Mindanao, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vows to continue sending additional food and non-food relief supplies in the affected areas.
The DSWD, in a statement, said that as of Monday (March 30), the DSWD provided Php 24.76 million worth of assistance in the 13 towns in Maguindanao; in Pikit and Matalam, North Cotabato; and in Bitaugan, Surigao del Sur where a clash between the military and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) occurred on Feb. 27.
The DSWD has also included Brgy. Estado, Matalam, North Cotabato and Monkayo, Compostela Valley as among the areas it continues to assist after armed conflicts ensued there on March 20 and March 24, respectively.
The DSWD released the relief supplies either through the DSWD-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) or through concerned local government units (LGUs), as well as through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)-Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
As of press time, a total of 27,178 families or 132,870 persons have been affected by the incident.
Of this number, 20,078 families or 100,390 persons are inside 78 evacuation centers. The evacuation centers in Pikit have already closed, but 1,629 families or 8,145 persons who opted to stay with their relatives continue to receive relief assistance.
The Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams in the affected towns remain in close coordination with the LGUs for further assessment of the needs of the evacuees. While at the evacuation centers, evacuees are given psycho-social counseling and children-evacuees undergo play therapy sessions to lessen their trauma.
==ARMM asked to use DOST funds==
*Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/armm-asked-to-use-dost-funds/172712/
*Sunday, March 29, 2015 10:02 pm
:By Reina Tolentino
Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds amounting to P23.150 million intended for Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were not fully used, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).
This was because the regional offices that received the funds have no administrative and political jurisdiction in the areas of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao, state auditors said.
“In CY [calendar year] 2013, the DBM released funds amounting to P23.150 million. The release of the amounts to the regional offices was intended to address the lack of economic activities in the ARMM provinces which are classified as among the poorest in the country and fast-tracking economic interventions thru DAP would help spur economic activities in the ARMM Provinces,” the COA stated in a 2013 audit report on the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
DBM is the Department of Budget and Management.
Based on the audit report, only P3.87 million was spent out of the P13.35 million released to Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), thus leaving a balance of P9.475 million.
In Region X (Northern Mindanao), only P1.44 million was used from the P3.6 million released. Auditors said the balance, P2.16 million, was already returned to the National Treasury.
And in Region XII (Soccsksargen), P5.32 was spent out of the P6.2 million released.
State auditors attributed the low percentage of implementation of the projects to several reasons.
“DOST RO [regional office] IX, X and XII are not familiar with the sites where the projects were to be implemented,” they said.
DOST is the Department of Science and Technology.
There was also non-submission of the required project proposal and no ample time to evaluate the project proposal, much less to implement them.
Auditors also pointed out “the duplication of functions by both DOST X and DOST-ARMM” and “absence of direct responsibility in who will enforce the terms and conditions of the MOA [memorandum of agreement].”
The projects were not integrated into the regular program of the three regional offices, they said.
COA recommended that the Regional Monitoring Team needs to “communicate to the DOST Central Office the difficulties it encountered in implementing projects in areas outside its political jurisdictions and make known to DOST Central Office the possible consequences of this scheme, which is deterrent to good governance, so that this could be averted in the future, thus, preventing more wastage of government funds.”
The team was also told to ensure that the project proposal and its implementation are effectively evaluated, and to “give the widest dissemination and dispersal of projects and opportunities.”
COA also urged the Program/Project Leader to coordinate with DOST-ARMM so that the latter’s manpower and personnel can be tapped and mobilized in monitoring the implementation of projects.
DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist micro, small and medium enterprises as well as private and government institutions to implement technological innovations to enhance their competitiveness and support economic development in the countryside.
==Lumads perform high noon rituals for peace in at least 35 IP communities==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2015/03/28/lumads-perform-high-noon-rituals-for-peace-in-at-least-35-ip-communities/
*Saturday, March 28, 2015 11:34 pm
:By Ferdinandh B. Cabrera (MindaNews)
COTABATO CITY (March 28) – Members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) simultaneously offered prayers Saturday noon in an effort to help bring about peace.
Tedurays offer a ritual for peace in Cotabato City’s highest peak, “Tawan-tawan,” Pedro Colina Hill at 12 noon Saturday, March 28. In other villages in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces where the Indigenous Peoples live, a similar ritual was performed simultaneously, for peace in Mindanao and the entire country, to continue the peace process between the GPH government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; and to pass an inclusive and just Bangsamoro Basic Law. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA
Tedurays offer a ritual for peace in Cotabato City’s highest peak, “Tawan-tawan,” Pedro Colina Hill at 12 noon Saturday, March 28. In other villages in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces where the Indigenous Peoples live, a similar ritual was performed simultaneously, for peace in Mindanao and the entire country, to continue the peace process between the GPH government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; and to pass an inclusive and just Bangsamoro Basic Law. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA
Rebecca Mokudef, Bliyan Libun (Woman Spiritual Leader) of the Tedurays, said the ritual for peace was simultaneously performed in at least 35 IP communities in Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.
“We want peace in Mindanao, we want to preserve our culture and tradition, we ask the Almighty to help us attain peace for we always suffer when armed conflicts erupt in our communities,” Mokudef said after the ritual at Cotabato City’s highest peak called “Tawan-Tawan.”
She said the IPs support the passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law which will govern what would be the new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonmous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Under the ARMM, the Indigenous Peoples Rights ACT (IPRA) has not been implemented since its creation in 1997. The IPs want this law implemented under the Bangsamoro.
During the ritual in Tawan-tawan, the IPs or Lumads, most of them Teduray and Lambangian, called on the Almighty to keep the IPs and all peoples of Mindanao safe.
She said the armed conflict has divided tribal communities due to displacement, which in turn destroys traditional communities, customs and traditions.
“It is difficult to be evicted from our homeland, our ancestral domain. Slowly this is being destroyed by armed conflict, so we pray for a stop so we can live peacefully,” she explained.
Mokudef said the IP communities support the passage of an inclusive Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“We want to maintain our culture and tradition even with the establishment of Bangsamoro government. We desire for peace that will allow us to govern ourselves and freely practice our traditional laws,” Mokudef said.
==Lanao media practitioners tapped on line safety info drive==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1521427387108/lanao-media-practitioners-tapped-on-line-safety-info-drive
*Friday, March 27, 2015
:By Apipa Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 27 (PIA) --- The country’s power grid operator has enlisted the help of Lanao media to disseminate information on transmission line safety.
Safety violations are detrimental to transmission operations and public safety, said Beth Ladaga, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Mindanao Regional Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer, during the Media Orientation on ROW Violations in Lanao and Facility Tour in Iligan Area Control Center, yesterday, March 26.
Ladaga said safety practices will prevent power interruptions and ensure safety of residents.
She emphasized that planting of trees and building of houses or any structure under or near transmission lines are prohibited to prevent accidents and power trippings.
The public are also discouraged to park vehicle near or under transmission lines, climb transmission structures, fly kites near transmission lines, put-up antennas and build grass fires near or under power lines.
Carrying long sticks or any object that might reach or come in contact with the power transmission lines is also considered as unsafe practices.
We should advocate observance of line safety at all times to prevent accidents, damage to life and properties, and power outages, Ladaga added.
The transmission line safety campaign of NGCP aims to raise public awareness on maintaining reliable, secure and safe transmission system in the country and in ensuring public safety in the communities.
==Hataman allocates PHP8M to Basilan National High School==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=748106
*Thursday, March 26, 2015
:  (PNA), FFC/TPGJR/NOEL M. MIRASOL
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, March 26 (PNA) -– The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is allocating PHP8 million for the construction of a new auditorium at the Basilan National High School (BNHS) in this city.
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman announced this Thursday during the 62nd Commencement Exercises of the BNHS where he was the guest speaker.
Hataman noted the BNHS auditorium is already dilapidated and need to be replaced with a new one to provide the students a conducive place for school-related activities.
Hataman said he will work out for the immediate release of the funds so that the construction of the new auditorium can start as soon as possible.
He advised the BNHS graduates to pursue college courses related to public or social service to help other people uplift their lives.
The 62nd batch of BNHS graduates consisted of 1,143 students.
Meanwhile, Hataman also pledged to allocate funds to develop this city’s athletic field aimed to provide a good training ground for this province’s athletes.
==Competitiveness index survey to take place in ARMM LGUs==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1661427174930/multi-million-oil-depot-to-boost-economy-investment-in-maguindanao
*Wednesday, March 25, 2015
: (PNA), FFC/NYP/EOF
COTABATO CITY, March 25 (PNA) -- The National Competitiveness Council will include selected Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in its annual Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) survey this year, a regional official announced Wednesday.
The CMCI ranks Philippine cities and municipalities based on 28 indicators that are grouped into three equally-weighed pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency and Infrastructure. The combined score on each pillar indicates their rank.
The index was developed by the NCC in 2012.
Abubacar Datumanong, DTI-ARMM assistant secretary, said it is the first time for the NCC to include ARMM LGUs in its survey.
He said the region’s two component cities – Marawi and Lamitan – and 43 municipalities will undergo the survey.
“Anytime this April surveys and series of orientations for selected LGUs will commence," he said.
ARMM has already organized a Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC), chaired by the region’s DTI office, to spearhead the CMCI survey.
An academic institution selected through bidding will undertake the actual survey.
“I am not so sure if our LGUs can make it to any rank but what is more important is we are included in the survey," Datumanong said.
“A business investor is trying to determine if a particular local government is prepared to host investment, it it is business and infrastructure ready," he said. "The CMCI ranking will be the investors guide where to put up investment,” he added.
Datumanong encouraged LGU officials to support the project, which will be completed before May 15.
“We need full cooperation, and we request them to provide accurate data for the survey,” he said.
==Multi-million oil depot to boost economy, investment in Maguindanao==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1661427174930/multi-million-oil-depot-to-boost-economy-investment-in-maguindanao
*Tuesday, March 24, 2015
:By Jubels Santos (PBChangco/PIA Cotabato City)
COTABATO CITY, 24 March (PIA)—For the local business community, the coming in of a multi-mllion investment company Iron Blaze Corporation in Maguindanao is a welcome development.
Early 2014, Iron Blaze Corporation was one of the multi-million investors that committed and pledged to invest in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), specifically in Maguindanao.
Iron Blaze Corp,  engaged in importation and distribution of oil products has made true its commitment with the ground breaking ceremony last March 13, this year of its multi-million oil depot at the Polloc Freeport, Parang, Maguindanao.
Assuring full support to investors,  ARMM Regional Board of Investments Chair Ishak Mastura said Iron Blaza Corp is a pioneer locator first to respond to calls to invest in the region a year or so ago, manifesting investors’ high confidence in the area.
Mastura said,  the January 25, 2015 Mamasapano incident has insignificant impact to the investment prospects in the region negating forecast of a slowdown following the unfortunate event putting  the province of Maguindanao in the limelight.
Aside from fresh investments, there are projects of RBOI-registered firms that are already in the pipeline  this year among these are the expansion of the capacity of a biomass power plant, rehabilitation of a starch factory, banana plantation expansion program and the oil depot of Iron Blaze Corp., Mastura said.
For his part, Ramon dela Cuesta of Iron Blaze Corp. said the company makes good its commitment to infuse capital and do business and contribute to  the region’s economic and investment growth.
Being formerly with Caltex, Philippines for quite  some time, gave him the opportunity to visit Polloc Freeport in  Parang town regularly and having familiarized the company saw the potential of the area as an  investment site, dela Cuesta said.
From a small-scale, the company is investing in a multi-million oil depot facility and with the potential the area offers, the company will eventually expand its business investment, he said.
“In the next 2 or 3 weeks time, construction of the oil depot will commence,” he said.
Meanwhile, LAMSAN Holding Corp. CEO and PTC (port cargo handling services) president Christopher Lu expressed strong commitment and support to the region’s investment expansion program even with the coming of the Bangsamoro entity.
Having started the family business in the late 60s in the municipality of Sultan Kudarat, then very sparsely populated, they have developed strong bonding with the people and the community at large despite having experienced almost 50 years of alternating landscape of wars, spate of kidnappings and sporadic firefights, Lu said.
“These experiences the family endured allowed us to understand the Bangsamoro aspiration for self-determination – this bond also serves as a driving force to continue our investment within the Bangsamoro territory because we believe a strong local economy serves as a bed rock for the government and the people,” Lu stressed.
Expressing gratitude to Polloc Freeport OIC Administrator Barok Mangutara, Jr., and other officialsfor the opportunity given them to expand the LAMSAN Holding Corp. investment and business, Lu is hopeful that one day Polloc Freeport shall be known and called the “gateway to the Bangsamoro heart land”.
==TWC adopts Celso’s MinPOW substitute bill, 2 others==
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/20533-twc-adopts-celsos-minpow-substitute-bill-2-others.html
*Monday, March 23, 2015 11:43
:By Jubels Santos
During the Executive Meeting of the Technical Working Committee (TWC) of the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization, Committee on Energy and Committee on Mindanao Affairs, the draft substitute bill on measures seeking to create the Mindanao Power Corporation (MinPOW) was adopted on March 18, 2015 in the House of Representatives. Said substitute bill consolidates House Bills 2621, 4883, and 676 authored by Representatives Celso Lobregat, Rufus and Maximo Rodriguez, and Edgardo Masongsong, respectively.
Lobregat’s MinPOW bill seeks the non-privatization of the Agus-Pulangui hydropower complexes, located in Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon provinces, which are considered the crown jewels of Mindanao power industry. “To ensure long-term adequate power to support Mindanao’s economic development, this bill seeks the creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation (MinPOW), a stand-alone government-owned and controlled corporation, which shall be empowered to acquire the Agus-Pulangui hydropower complexes from NPC/PSALM and raise sufficient funds for operating, maintaining, and improving such assets efficiently,” he said adding that the bill  also provides for the Mindanao Power Fund, which ensures lessening subsidy by the National Government in any power crisis situation.
The proposed bills on MinPOW were initially deliberated last March 4, 2015 by the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization chaired by Rep. Sacdalan and Committee on Energy chaired by Rep. Umali. The Joint Committee then decided to refer the bills to the TWC.
The TWC was chaired by Rep. Masongsong. The TWC adopted the substitute bill subject to the refinement of certain provisions. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will forward their proposed amendments to the concerned Committees. The three committees together with MinDA will work on the finalization of the bill. Once finalized, the substitute bill will be referred back to the Mother Committee.
One of the issues raised during the meeting was the issue on Lake Lanao. The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) provides exclusive powers over inland waters. “With the grant of exclusive powers over inland waters (Lake Lanao) as proposed in the bill, and since utilization of these waters shall primary be for the benefit of the people in the Bangsamoro, in terms of electricity and power, the entire Mindanao will be in the mercy of the Bangsamoro,” Lobregat stressed. Historically, Mindanao has been enjoying lower power rates in comparison to Luzon and Visayas because more than 50% of its electricity comes from hydroelectric power plants, which provide a cheaper source of energy.
TWC Chair Masongsong asked MinDA to make a presentation on the options concerning MinPOW creation before the final adoption of the substitute bill by the Mother Committee. Lobregat further emphasized the concept of self-sufficiency wherein MinPOW should stand on its own.
It was proposed to set the Mother Committee meeting on May 5, 2015 to consider the final adoption of the substitute bill.
Present during the TWC meeting were TWC Chair Masongsong, Mindanao Affairs Chairman Arnulfo Go, Representatives Celso Lobregat, Juliette Uy, Leah Paquiz and Peter Unabia. Also present were MinDA representatives and committee secretaries of the three concerned committees.
==Maguindanao co-ops receive DA’s organic chicken assistance==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=11&rid=746722
*Sunday, March 22, 2015
: (PNA), SCS/PR/PJN
MANILA, March 22 (PNA) -- Twelve cooperatives in Maguindanao received upgraded native chickens from the Department of Agriculture-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DA-ARMM) on March 18 at the Salipada K. Pendatun Public Market, Salipada K. Pendatun (SKP), Maguindanao through fund allocation under the Agri-Pinoy Livestock Livelihood Assistance Program.
Maguindanao Provincial Agricultural Officer Dr. Salik Panalunsong said this project, along with other interventions the DA is providing, will help beneficiaries have another source of living especially with the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon.
“The recipients, in return, are expected to build up on and sustain the assistance provided to them so they could benefit more from it in the long run,” the provincial agricultural officer added.
According to DA-Maguindanao Livestock Chief Mohmin Sulaik, nine of the 12 cooperatives were from SKP, namely, the Kalimudan Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Kambayabaya Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Lawasabuloy Farmers and Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative; Ligawasan Marsh Farmers and Fisherfolk Makinugon Association; Ligawasan Marsh Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Lumabao Makauyag Peoples Organization; Midkunding Kadtabanga Farmers Producer Cooperative; Pidtiguian Farmers Marketing Cooperative; and Tongol Farmers Association.
The other cooperatives are from the municipalities of Mangudadatu (Darusalam MNLF Multi-Purpose Cooperative), Sultan sa Barongis (Mawalao MNLF Association) and Northern Kabuntalan (Tumaguinting LGU).
Regional Agri-Pinoy Livestock Chicken Component Coordinator Dr. Raheima Amba said the distribution was the third among the two activities earlier conducted by the livestock division this year.
The DA-ARMM Livestock Division will distribute 176 more chickens to five identified cooperatives in Maguindanao under this project, which has a budget of PhP 1 million.
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the agency has been promoting organic livestock raising as a component of its National Organic Agriculture Program, and as a supplementary source of income and food for farmers and fisherfolk, especially those in areas that are likely to be hit by calamities, such as drought this summer season.
SKP Mayor Shajib Khan Pendatun expressed his gratitude to the department and advised his constituents to equally distribute the chickens to their coop members, and to become responsible project beneficiaries.
==PHP199-M fund to bolster fire safety in ARMM==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=746614
*Saturday, March 21, 2015
:(PNA), JBP/PR/RSM
MANILA, March 21 (PNA) -- As part of the national government’s commitment to ensure security and the rule of law in areas of the country that need essential government services, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of PHP199 million to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the procurement of 33 fire trucks.
This release coincides with the designation of the month of March as Fire Prevention Month, and is part of the PHP22.47-billion supplemental budget passed last December 2014. Aside from being part of the ARMM Transition Investment Support Plan (TISP), the amount of PHP199 million also supplements the BFP’s PHP8-billion budget in the FY 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said: “These fire trucks are the final element needed to complement the recently-constructed fire stations in the ARMM municipalities. That’s why we need to guarantee budgetary support for agencies like the BFP whose main task is to ensure public order and safety. With the help of these agencies, we’ll be able to establish an environment of social stability in areas that need it so that inclusive development can thrive and grow.”
Each of the 33 recently-constructed ARMM fire stations will receive one water tank pumper truck, which has a capacity of 3,800 liters. These fire stations are located throughout the five ARMM provinces -- Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi -- and their construction was completed in 2013.
“It’s important to reiterate that we were able to fund priority projects like these fire trucks with the help of the 2014 supplementary budget, which was finalized late last year. What’s more, this release will help promote public order and safety even as it provides important services in areas made vulnerable by violence,” Abad said.
==DA-ARMM introduces app to help increase rice production==
==DA-ARMM introduces app to help increase rice production==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=746272
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=746272
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