Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News February 2018

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
ARMM seal.png
Seal of ARMM

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

432K poor households eyed for TRAIN subsidy in Region 12, Armm

(PNA)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 is targeting to cover around 432,000 poor households for the subsidy program in line with the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

Bai Zorahayda Taha, DSWD Region 12 director, said Wednesday they are set to launch a series of validations to properly determine the qualified beneficiaries for the initiative, which is dubbed unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program.

She said they were tasked to lead the validation and implementation of the program in parts of Region 12 and in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Also known as Soccsksargen, Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

“After the actual validation, we will release the list of beneficiaries and endorse them for the subsidy,” Taha said.

The official said the validation would be based on the current database of the agency’s “Listahanan” survey or National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

She said it would cover at total of 197,149 poor households in Region 12 and 235,326 in the ARMM.

In Region 12, the validation will involve 73, 315 households in North Cotabato, 44,583 in South Cotabato, 43,932 in Sultan Kudarat, 27,253 in Sarangani and 8,066 in Cotabato City.

A total of 121,654 households will undergo validation in Lanao del Sur, including Marawi City, and 113,672 in Maguindanao.

Sohra Guialel, DSWD-12’s policy and plans division chief, said they would hire some 1,441 validators, 125 administrative assistants and 72 encoders to facilitate the validation process.

She said they would complement with the agency’s workforce and would be deployed in different areas to conduct house-to-house validation of the potential UCT beneficiaries.

The subsidy program was set by the national government to assist poor households that might be affected by the implementation of the Train Law.

Beneficiaries will receive monthly subsidies in the next three years, starting with P2,400 or P200 per month in 2018 and P3,600 or P300 per month in 2019 and in 2020.

DSWD to use CCTVs in next 4Ps payouts

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Closed circuit television cameras wil be installed in venues of upcoming payout activities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development–Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) for its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) across the region to address alleged anomalous acts committed on the ground.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, concurrent DSWD-ARMM chief, said the move is just one of the reforms she would be implementing in the agency on efforts to ensure the region’s delivery of social services to its constituents.

"Our target is to lessen substantially any form of corruption starting from the barangay level," Alamia told reporters here in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Barely three weeks on her current stint with DSWD-ARMM, she noted there were longtime complaints of irregularities before the office on the 4Ps implementation in the region.

“We would put a stop to this that is why there is this crackdown on the (4Ps) program on the LGU (local government unit) level,” Alamia said.

During an LGU assembly held in Sulu earlier this month, Alamia has ordered barangay officials, local chief executives, and school heads and superintendents to stop anomalies in the 4Ps implementation in their respective areas.

“If caught in the act, there is a reason for them to be arrested and charged,” she said.

More so, Alamia warned that government officials caught committing anomalous acts will be immediately removed from their respective posts to face administrative and criminal charges.

She said that same LGU assemblies would be initiated in other ARMM component areas soon that include the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-tawi and Basilan.

Alamia referred to last month’s directive issued by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, concurrent Martial Law administrator in Mindanao, which orders the closer monitoring of local chief executives in Mindanao for the full implementation of government programs in their respective turfs as basis for the reforms on the DSWD-ARMM programs.

“With the national government monitoring LGUs through the martial law directive, local executives would be committed to protect the rights of 4Ps beneficiaries through their presence and support,” she explicated.

Alamia said other DSWD concerns that needs urgent attention are on delayed 4Ps payments, social pension, and sustainable livelihood projects.

She said the DSWD – ARMM has tied up with PLDT-Smart for an infocast messaging system aimed at notifying beneficiaries on the agency’s programs’ updates, including 4Ps, and “for them to forward to us their complaints on the ground.”

“During payouts, we would also be taking photos of beneficiaries receiving their full 4Ps benefits as additional safeguard,” Alamia stressed.

To date, there are an estimated 411,000 “poorest of the poor” families in the ARMM where only some 300,000 families included in the 4Ps Conditional Cash Transfer package implementation.

Alamia said the difference of 111, 000 poorest families would be included in the Unconditional Cash Transfer program of the national government set for operation this year after the required survey and verification.

The DSWD-ARMM is operating on a PHP19-million budget this year, with their skeletal workforce relying much only on volunteers.

Bangsamoro forum seen to boost Mindanao peace process: Dureza

By Jelly Musico (PNA)

MANILA -- Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Jesus Dureza has commended organizers of Democratic Leadership and Active Civil Society Empowerment (DELACSE) Bangsamoro for working hard to empower Bangsamoro people in Mindanao.

Dureza made his commendation during Thursday’s culminating event of the DELACSE Bangsamoro, a 13-month project funded by the European Union aimed at empowering decision-makers and civil society leaders for active engagement in the proposed new Bangsamoro political entity.

“We are truly grateful to all your efforts and for being our partner in making the Bangsamoro people, the civil society organizations further understand and strengthen their capacities as decision-makers that will bring positive change in their homeland,” Dureza said in his message read by OPAPP Assistant Secretary Dickson Hermoso.

He said the tedious work towards achieving genuine peace in Mindanao does not end in the signing of peace agreements.

“It is a never ending work of engaging, involving, hearing out the people across all races, tribes, class and location,” Dureza said.

Dureza encouraged the DELACSE Bangsamoro Project organizers to continue to be at the forefront in promoting genuine, dignified and sustainable peace for the Bangsamoro and the rest of the country.

“All of us gathered here today don’t just want to talk, write agreements, or create development projects for the Bangsamoro people. We have come a long way in making it tangible,” he said.

Despite the five-month conflict in Marawi City last year, the DELACSE Bangsamoro Project has accomplished a lot in empowering over 1,000 participants through seminars, trainings and meetings here and abroad for the last 13 months.

“The results of the project were we were able to train politicians and civil society groups and members of the target group are capacitated to formulate and articulate comprehensive policy inputs vis-à-vis the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and actors that shape current reform efforts,” Benedicto Bacani, executive director of Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), said.

Bacani said project was able to engage with more women from Muslim Mindanao, accounting 55 percent of the total participants.

DELACSE Bangsamoro Project, implemented by the consortium Konrad-Adeneuer-Stiftung (KAS) Philippines and IAG, had established partnerships with 55 civil society organizations in Muslim Mindanao.

Naguib Sinarimbo, deputy secretary general of United Bangsamoro Justice Party, said local leaders and Bangsamoro people empowerment will be nothing without changing the structure of government.

“We cannot just empower the local leaders and the people of the Bangsamoro without changing the structure of government. Parliamentary system is closer to the Bangsamoro system,” Sinarimbo said.

Australia, World Food Programme serve meals to Marawi school kids

(BusinessMirror)

THE Australian government has provided A$1.1 million, or about P42.7 million, to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support the Philippines’s response to the Marawi City siege.

With this funding, WFP will be able to provide six months’ worth of school meals for the affected 50,000 students.

“As a good friend and neighbor, Australia is committed to provide humanitarian assistance when necessary,” Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines Amanda Gorely said. “Through our partnership with the Department of Education and Task Force Bangon Marawi, we are supporting people [afflicted] by the crisis.”

Australia has supported early recovery activities by addressing the immediate food needs of the locals directly hit by the civil war in the Lanao del Sur capital. In addition to school meals, its support will provide food assistance for nearly 23,000 households and 8,100 vulnerable laborers and farmers.

The said country’s aid will contribute to peace and stability in the area, as well as allow students to finish the academic school year, which ends in March.

“Education plays an important role in community-building. We’re pleased these emergency school meals will support students’ education and development,” Gorely added.

In July 2017 Australia donated rice that was allocated and used to feed more than 57,000 primary and secondary students in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Australia later contributed an additional A$500,000 (P19 million) to WFP, which supported the general food distribution carried out by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The amount provided rice to 11,000 households in Lanao del Sur from August to December 2017.

“We are grateful for our strategic partnership with the Australian government, which allowed us to immediately respond to the Marawi City crisis through rice that was prepositioned at the onset of the emergency,” said Stephen Gluning, WFP representative and country director. “Australia’s support of emergency school meals will enable students to continue their studies while being nourished with a daily meal.”

Since June 2017, the Philippine government and the WFP have distributed rice to about 128,000 people and provided school meals to more than 57,000 students in the country. WFP is mobilizing additional resources to cover the needs of its current operations until May 2018, including early recovery activities that involve food and cash-based assistance.

ARMM has P150M to help rebuild Marawi

By Manuel Cayon

DAVAO CITY—Ravaged Marawi City could tap into the unprogrammed funds of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) amounting to P150 million, which its regional governor committed to help rebuild the lakeside city after a five-month battle to free it from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis)-linked Maute Group late last year.

The ARMM disclosed this to assuage the displaced residents who were seeking the immediate reconstruction of their houses and places of economic activities.

The amount is outside the committed allocation of the national government, with initial fund reaching P10 billion, Gov. Mujiv Hataman said.

He disclosed this as he announced the construction of the first public market ever in the town of Bubong, an adjacent town of Marawi City, where more than 2,000 families sought safe refuge after fleeing Marawi City on May 23, 2017.

The ARMM held the groundbreaking ceremony of the public market on Friday in Bubong. Hataman said he hoped this would benefit the more than 13,000 residents displaced by the Marawi siege.

Hataman said the public market was worth P30 million and would sprawl inside an area with the size of one-and-a-half hectares.

The market would have 100 stalls and be constructed in 240 days.

“The public market opens additional economic activities in the town and in the entire First District of Lanao del Sur since these areas have no formal marketplace,” he said. “It will mainly cater to displaced residents of Marawi City who have sought refuge in the town.”

In disclosing the availability of funds to help rebuild Marawi City, Hataman said he attended numerous consultation dialogues with the displaced individuals “to hear grievances from the grassroots.”

“The consultations would help make a well-informed decision for the projects and assistance that will facilitate in uplifting the lives of displaced Marawi residents,” he added.

Among the groups he consulted was the biggest organized group of evacuees from Marawi City, the Sowara O Miamagoyag, which claims to represent more than 12,000 households which evacuated to towns of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental, and to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. The group has been active in promoting the welfare of its members.

The ARMM Bureau of Public Information quoted one Sittie Joharah Pacalindo-Mamacotao, 27, a leader of the group who hailed from Barangay Marinaut of Marawi City. Mamacotao said the displaced residents “should be supported on their immediate needs of recovery to enable dignified survival.”

“We want to become their representatives to amplify their voice,” Mamacotao added. The group recommended “reparation and compensation for property damage; livelihood; recovery and access to employment; shelter; participatory, transparent and accountable planning of Marawi rehabilitation, and land dispute resolutions.”

“I believe the Maranaos would be able to recover if they help each other well,” Hataman told the leaders of the evacuees.

He said the regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur would join together to build “an integrated public market and rehabilitate the terminal at the Greater Marawi Area in Marawi City this year costing P90 million.”

ARMM holds LGU assembly on social welfare protection

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

SULU – The Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) conducted its first round of Local Government Unit (LGU) Assembly on Social Welfare Protection for the province of Sulu.

Tuesday’s gathering convened local government officials as well as other groups, including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), parent leaders, and officials of partner agencies such as the Integrated Public Health Office (IPHO) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

The assembly discussed variations of irregularities in the implementation of the 4Ps, and the do’s and don’ts in carrying out the program.

Atty. Laisa Alamia, ARMM Executive Secretary and concurrent DSWD-ARMM Secretary, said that 4Ps stakeholders, especially officials who will be caught committing anomalous acts, will be immediately removed from their respective posts and could even face criminal charges. The Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, she said, will be helping in the campaign.

Sec. Alamia said that a similar activity will also be conducted in the other provinces of the ARMM to improve 4Ps’ implementation and strengthen the drive against irregularities in government programs and projects. “We have high hopes that this campaign will be successful so that we can achieve the progress and development that we aspire in ARMM,” she said.

The LGU assembly is one of the ARMM government’s response to Martial Law Instruction Order No. 01 that seeks to promote good governance. The participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other agencies such as IPHO and DepEd is critical in checking and securing the successful delivery of basic services to 4Ps’ beneficiaries.

Lea Abduhasad Daud, 44, a 4Ps beneficiary and parent leader from Tulay, Jolo said that the assembly is an effective way of preventing corruption in 4Ps implementation.

“Masaya kami na merong ganitong kampanya ang gobyerno natin. Although, dito sa area namin ay wala naman kaming problema sa tuwing may payout kami dahil tapat naman ang aming mga opisyales, suportadong suportado namin ang kampanyang ito,” Daud said.

“This is a wake-up call and a reminder to all of us that we should abide by the policies and guidelines in implementing the programs of the government,” said Mayor Abraham Burahan of Hadji Panglima Tahil town.

“As the mayor of Hadji Panglima Tahil, I give my full support to this campaign to make sure that those deserving people are the ones who will benefit from 4Ps; those we classify as poorest of the poor,” he added.

Sulu has some 93,734 beneficiaries of the program, out of 415,000 beneficiaries in the entire ARMM region. The event ended with the signing of the a pact on the ‘Commitment Wall’ with participation from local government officials, representatives of partner line agencies, and other stakeholders who attended the assembly.

The pact, upholding clean implementation of the program thus supporting the ARMM government in strengthening the fight against irregularities in 4P’s implementation, is posted on the Commitment Wall.

IDPs to benefit from P30-M new market in Lanao Sur

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – More than 13,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the 2017 Marawi siege are set to benefit from a public market to be constructed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Bubong, Lanao del Sur this year.

On Wednesday, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the groundbreaking ceremony for the PHP30-million wet and dry market. Once construction begins, the market facilty will sit on a one-and-a-half hectare of land and will house 100 stalls.

The market is expected to be completed in 240 days.

Hataman said the construction of the public market will open additional economic activities in the town and in the entire first district of Lanao del Sur since these areas have no marketplace.

“The market will mainly cater to displaced residents of Marawi City who have sought refuge in the town,” Hataman said.

About 2,722 families or 13,000 individuals have sought refuge in Marawi City's adjacent town of Bubong since fighting in the Islamic city started in May 2017.

Early on, the governor has attended consultation dialogues with displaced families to hear grievances from the grassroots to have a “well-informed decision” for the projects and assistance that will facilitated in the affected areas of the siege.

The IDP-organized Sowara O Miamagoyag, representing more than 12,000 households who evacuated to towns of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental, and to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, have been active in promoting the welfare of its members.

Sittie Joharah Pacalindo-Mamacotao, 27, a leader of the group from Brgy. Marinaut, Marawi City, said displaced residents should be supported on their immediate needs of recovery to enable dignified survival.

“We want to become their representatives to amplify their voice,” Mamacotao said.

The group also recommended reparation and compensation for property damage; livelihood; recovery and access to employment; shelter; participatory, transparent and accountable planning of Marawi rehabilitation, and land dispute resolutions.

The regional government has PHP150 million in un-programmed funds reserved for projects and programs that would help in rebuilding Marawi City.

The proposed Bubong public market and other lined up infrastructure projects would be jointly undertaken by the regional government and Lanao del Sur provincial administration for the Greater Marawi Area in Marawi City this year costing P90 million.

The national government-led Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has allocated a P10-billion fund for the rehabilitation of Marawi City. The fund can be accessed by government offices for any project through proposals.

The ARMM government sent a proposal to the TFBM for the construction of 500 permanent houses with complete facilities such as kitchen, solar panel for electricity, and water sources.

Convergence initiatives for Marawi target food security

By Lady Jean L. Kabagani (LJLK/PIA ICCC)

MARAWI CITY (PIA-ICCC) -- In line with the government's continuing effort to rehabilitate Marawi, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) is closely working with government line agencies and international non-government organizations to provide livelihood assistance for the returning communities of the war-torn city.

Recently, the Memorandum of Understanding among partner agencies was signed for convergence initiatives. This includes the creation of Convergence Project Monitoring Team (CPMT), comprised of government line agencies and international non-government organizations. The convergence initiatives primarily target to ensure food security to the city.

TFBM member agencies, together with international non-government organizations, the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP) and the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO), have strengthened and institutionalized convergence initiatives for the reconstruction, recovery and rehabilitation of the five pilot barangays of Malimono-Dulay Agrarian Community (ARC) in Marawi City to provide assistance through agricultural programs, social services, security, business and livelihood of the conflict-affected communities.

The convergence initiatives aim to address the food security on these areas with the strong collaboration of the TFBM member agencies and its INGO partners, as they continue to offer and provide interventions needed in the successful implementation of the program.

On Food Security for Marawi

The program aims to provide an immediate help and assistance to the maximum recovery of the war-torn city. These barangays include Guimba, Dulay Proper, Dulay west, Malimono, and Cabasaran.

To describe the living situation of the Marawi locals before predicament occurs to the city, there was a beautiful countryside picture of barangays tumble under agricultural land that provides sustainable livelihood to the people where they can generate income in a regular basis.

Brgy. Guimba is one of the communities that supply agricultural products to the city such as vegetables, fruits, and root crops.

Baicon Macaraya, national program officer of United Nations-World Food Program explained that the idea of this convergence platform is to address food security issues in Marawi.

The Marawi siege affected the availability of food for the community and even disrupted the market operation of the people.

"So at least with convergence, we will be able to allow the farmers to contribute by producing food that will be readily available for the returned families in Marawi City," Macaraya said in an interview.

Also, the convergence was able to tap not only the agrarian reform communities that have been identified by Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA), but correspondingly, farming activities through this convergence invite all other interested communities nearby the war-torn city. The program converged different line agencies in partnership with the INGOs that are providing expertise and assistance which contribute to attaining full recovery of Marawi city.

"For the people of Marawi and all the stakeholders, ‘sama-sama po tayong babangon,’ the humanitarian organizations like the World Food Program are actually with you and has been with you and trying our best to ensure that food security be restored back and even better as we returned to the communities that have been affected conflict," Macaraya said.

Macaraya expressed the gratitude of UN-WFP as well as the UN-FAO, she added that both organizations are delighted to facilitate the convergence initiative in the five-pilot barangays, "We are starting to the agricultural sector and then we move also in the 'fisheries' sector. And we hope to do the same approach in other areas that have been affected by the conflict."

The five pilot barangays were initially identified considering that it is part of the agrarian community of DAR. The adjacent location of these barangays makes it strategic not only because of the needs of the community but also because of the schedule of the returning beneficiaries.

"We hope to do beyond these areas, actually ground zero can also adopt the same urban planting and farming can also be done in ground zero, even the concept alone of doing this together can readily be adopted by other areas in the returned communities in Marawi City, babangon ang Marawi," Macaraya's statement of hope that Marawi will be built again.

Government Interventions

The convergence initiative on food security is the first livelihood effort that has been done for the returning communities and it is expected to be replicated with other agricultural barangays in Marawi City.

DAR-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAR-ARMM) Agrarian Reform Officer Rocaina Mindalano ensured immediate assistance to farm-workers who are economically displaced after the siege erupted.

Since the six-month siege has erupted, the subcommittee on livelihood already delivers assistance through an immediate, medium-term and long-term responses for the IDPs affected by the conflict.

She said that the subcommittee on livelihood program is instigating Malimono-Dulay Agrarian rehabilitation plan which aims to create a resilient agrarian community out of empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and other farmworkers.

"Para sa ating mga beneficiaries, just hold on, we could move forward inshaallah, nandirito po kaming lahat, sama-sama para tulungan po kayo na makabangon muli because we want to rebuild your lives, we want to make you empowered despite Marawi siege, there is still life ahead," Mindalano encourages community.

Meanwhile, the ARMM's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries conducted series of distribution of assorted vegetable seeds for the returning communities in five-pilot barangays. The agency continues to assist the farmworkers by providing the farmers' needs and offering them agricultural and livelihood lectures.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' Agricultural Officer Abdul M. Hadji Ali urges returned individual of agriculture community to continue farming.

"Wag silang ma-discourage, isulong nila yung pagbabago, magtulung-tulong sila, magkaisa sila tungo sa pagbabago ng Marawi na ito," Hadji Ali's message to the conflict-afflicted residents of Marawi.

For its part, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provides cash-for-work (CWF) program in support of farming activities of the beneficiaries.

CFW of DSWD is a way to leverage other resources that are available, not only in the government but also in other stakeholders as well. CFW is the agency's early recovery and rehabilitation intervention for the returning populace of the war-torn city.

DSWD offers temporary employment for the residents of Marawi, wherein a certain beneficiary works in exchange for P200-worth of cash that apiece a daily community service.

A farmer-beneficiary labor for land preparation recompensed CWF amounting to P1,000 feting a five-day land preparation and receives another amount of P1,000 during the actual planting.

Farmer-beneficiaries on the go

As the government continues the rehabilitation, recovery and restoration process for Marawi, returning individuals also revived their lost livelihoods while bringing back themselves to normalcy.

One of the farmer-beneficiaries is Mauna Macadato of Brgy. Guimba. Her family returned to their home during the third leg of Kambalingan on 09 December 2017. She shared that the moment they step near on their home was jam-packed of emotions. They were so exultant for the homecoming, but their happiness was lingered and ended up being heartbroken at the same time because of what hails them in their home seeing that it was shattered by the fatal combat.

As tears were welling up, she shared her livelihood before the siege happened.

"Masaya ako kasi parang unti-unti nang bumabalik ang dati, mas kompartable na kami dito kaysa nung dati na nasa evacuation kami at lahat ng hirap dinanas namin. Iba talaga pag nasa sarili mong bahay ka namamalagi," she shared.

After more than a month of return in their home, the residents of Brgy. Guimba were able to start over onto farming activities and expect to produce vegetable and fruit basket for the city.

Mauna Macadato expressed his gladness that he and his family are home again after six-months of staying in evacuation center. "Masaya kaming nakabalik na kami sa pagtatanim sa at nakabalik na kami sa sariling lugar namin," he said.

This livelihood convergence program will uplift the lives of farmer-beneficiaries and will provide immediate help and assistance for the maximum recovery of the city.

Good governance marks Lamitan LGU as Hall of Fame awardee in ARMM

By Rene V. Carbayas

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan (PIA) – The good governance agenda of Lamitan City Mayor Rosita U. Furigay with a vision of “Abante Lamitan” has brought the city to the top among other cities and municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

At the maiden session held in Lamitan City gymnasium recently, Mayor Rosita U. Furigay gave her State of the City Report and presented updates of their accomplishments for 2017.

The lady mayor proudly said that they accomplished a lot for the year 2017 and positioned Lamitan City to a better future. She bannered the various awards and recognition received for good governance, human resource management and disaster preparedness, among others as a manifestation of having effective and efficient workforce and leaders.

Lamitan City is a two-time awardee of Seal of Good Local Governance, having been chosen among 448 out of 1, 715 LGUs and were in the Hall of Fame Category for all of LGUs most-sought-after ultimate award in 2017.

Excellent rate was also given to Lamitan City when they were validated for the Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey for the Seal of Excellence Award for Citizen Services and Brgy. Limook and Lamitan City Water District were also rated excellent out of 140 barangays surveyed.

Furthermore, Lamitan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council garnered first place among cities, in the 2017 Gawad Kalasag Regional Awards that brought Lamitan City to the Hall of Fame for Best CDRRMC Award.

Lamitan City was also conferred the only Level II Maturity for PRIME-HRM or the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management in ARMM. This is a global standard in Human Resources and Lamitan City was awarded the Most Promising City in Human Resource Management and Organizational Development in Basilan. Their CHRM Officer Ms. Ligaya Buenaventura was also adjudged as the Most Outstanding Human Resource Practitioner, and CSWD Officer Ms. Pelita Tacorda as CSC Ulirang Lingkod Bayani in year 2017.

In addition, Reaching Out Serving Everyone (ROSE) Caravan Program was conferred Finalist as Top 20 in Galing Pook Awards.

Galing Pook Awards is the local equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize which is designed to recognize LGU Programs that are significant, innovative, and empowering.

ROSE Caravan Program was also Regional Winner for the CSC-ARMM Honor Awards Program Presidential Lingkod Bayan Group Category. It is an award that recognizes groups with noteworthy and outstanding performance and significant contribution to the government and the way it delivers its services to the people.

“Having these awards is a remarkable achievement for all Lamiteños. It’s a good indication of having a good, and effective leader,” Mayor Furigay said.

Furigay acknowledged the cooperation and support of her constituents that paved the way to Lamitan City being known and recognized in the local government community.

“Because our people is our greatest asset, all these awards and recognition would not have been possible without an effective workforce and of course very supportive leaders,” she said.

Mayor Furigay also extended her gratitude to ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman and DPWH District Engineer Soler Undug for their support in the implementation of their projects and programs that bring services to the people of Lamitan City.

“Words are powerless to express my sincere gratitude to our beloved Mujiv Hataman for his untiring support, and to his dynamic workforce in DPWH-ARMM headed by Regional Secretary Don Mustapha Loong, DPWH-ARMM Basilan District Engineer Soler Undug. The Lamiteños will never forget your generosity, Gov. Mujiv Hataman,” the mayor said.

These recognitions were not considered by the lady mayor as the end of everything, she marks these as a great challenge to work more, to aim more, and to do more as she envisions for “Abante pa more Lamitan City.”

She encouraged everyone to support her, her initiatives and programs to be more productive in bringing services and fulfilling her commitments to the Lamiteños to take Lamitan City to a more progressive and more developed city not only in Mindanao but in the whole nation.

“I call on all of you today to be with me, believe with me, and work with the City Government for a brighter future ahead of us. Lamitan, this is how we build our future. So Lamiteños, let’s keep moving forward,” she concluded. (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan with reports from Nilda Delos Reyes)

Chinese bizmen pour in P4-B investments in Cotabato

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Chinese investors are set to pour in some PhP4-billion worth of investments in this city this year with the inclusion of a modern airport, seaport, and sports complex among major infrastructure projects.

On Monday, the five-man visiting investment team from the Chinese Engineering Construction Company (CECC), which had been in this city the past two days, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi for the realization of the projects under a Public-Private Partnership scheme.

Under the MOU, the CECC would invest and finance for the projects for continuous development while the city government provide necessary assistance and information through a technical working group to ensure the success of the projects.

The CECC has eyed the sprawling areas of Barangays Tamontaka 3 and Kalanganan 2 to build its state-of-art airport and seaport projects, respectively, over a combined amount of Php1.4-B upon approval of the national government.

Over the past two years, consultants hired by the city government have carefully studied the projects to ensure its feasibility and capital returns to the investors. Guiani-Sayadi said the new city airport would not hamper the operations of the Awang airport in adjacent Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, as the main target of the city airport is to decongest the current Awang airfield operation for its services to the Central Mindanao area.

The proposed seaport, meanwhile, is expected to bring more traffic in the incoming and outgoing goods for Cotabato City and its neighboring towns and provinces.

New road networks serving the new mega-projects are also in the pipeline, the mayor said.

“We saw that this city has big potentials and could make huge revenues through big investments,” Bin Liu, CECC chief executive officer and head of delegation, said in Chinese and translated by an interpreter.

"With the coming of the Chinese investors, I am sure that others will slowly follow. Eventually, we will be able to prove that Cotabato City is a force to reckon with. They just wait and see,” Guiani-Sayadi, for her part, said.

More so, Liu, after discovering that this city is also home to many businessmen of Chinese descent, expressed his intent to build a sports complex-cum-technical training center, out of his own personal account, at Barangay Tamontaka Mother here.

Once agreement is finalized, the construction of the city airport and seaport will be the biggest projects, by far, that a foreign company would be undertaking in this part of the country.

Local businessmen have also expressed enthusiasm on the projects citing that the proposed undertakings would boost the growing economy of the city.

Minda pushes for revival of Tawi-Tawi barter trade

By Jennie P. Arado

IN order to improve the economic trade of the Bangsamoro island-provinces, the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) plans to establish the barter trade scheme as part of the Tawi-Tawi Special Economic and Freeport Zone program and the Bangsamoro Development Corridor.

“The revival of the barter trade will not only help create jobs and business opportunities for the Bangsamoro in Mindanao, but will also provide better options for them in their pursuit for better life, enhance agro-industrial productivity, and promote trade and commerce between and among the member countries of EAGA,” said Minda Chairman Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto through a press statement released by Minda.

As this project will push through, Alonto said it will help strengthen security as the facilities of Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security are expected to be upgraded thus encouraging productive and unregulated activities in the area.

Trade between countries included in the BIMP-EAGA, especially of businessmen from Mindanao, can also be done without tariff duties through a barter trade zone.

An executive order (EO) for the creation of a Barter Trade Facilitation Center was proposed. Currently, the EO is being subject for consultations by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Once approved, it is expected to be the guide in the implementation of barter trade system which will include Mindanao and Palawan.

All systems go for 2nd Inaul Festival

By Ali G. Macabalang

Buluan, Maguindanao – Everything is ready for the staging of the Second Inaul Festival of this province that will kick off officially with a motorcade and a trade expo here on Thursday, February 8, organizers announced yesterday.

The provincial police and Army’s Sixth Infantry Division have assured security arrangements for the possible arrival of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and two of his children as principal guests in separate major events lined up here until February 14.

The Chief Executive is expected to grace one or two grant events, while Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and younger brother Sebastian have been invited as guests in the inauguration of a socio-economic-driven infra project and in the coronation night of winners in the Palamat nu Maguindanao pageant, respectively, organizers said.

Festival Director Paul Ampatuan said Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu will host invited dignitaries including Mindanao royalties, senators and Cabinet members alongside Manila-based media personalities in a apagana (royal dinner) dubbed as “Governor’s Night” on February 13.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol told The Manila Bulletin he will attend another festival highlight, notably the inaugural operation of the state-of-the art halal dressed chicken factory, a first of its kind in the country, which was established in this town by local investors in partnership with Malaysian counterparts.

Tags: Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Sara Duterte-Carpio, security arrangements

US launches P18.5-M education, health programs for Marawi folk

By Roy C. Mabasa

The United States embassy in Manila has launched a P18.5-million #ForMindanao campaign supporting 37 projects throughout Mindanao as part of its continuing response to the Marawi crisis.

The embassy said the project will be led by Filipino alumni of various US government-sponsored exchanges, “many of whom have already played a crucial role in responding to humanitarian needs in Marawi and surrounding areas.”

The projects, according to the US embassy, will address educational enrichment, economic development, and the psycho-social effects of conflict, among other pressing needs in the region.

“Their immediate response to the Marawi crisis and their engagement in the US Embassy’s #ForMindanaocampaign exemplifies the commitment of US exchange alumni to work together to advance the prosperity of all Filipinos,” it said.

The year-long campaign, according to the embassy, “will impact around 13,500 people, focusing especially on out-of-school youth, university students,madrasa students,and women in Mindanao.”

To date, the US government has announced over P1 billion for recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Apart from that, the US government also funds extensive counter-terrorism, law enforcement, development, health, and countering violent extremism programs across Mindanao.

In November last year, the US embassy awarded more than P9.7 million to support 17 community-based projects led by US exchange alumni, including agro-enterprise development, a roving toy library for children of the internally displaced families, and Project YACAP (Youth Amplifying, Co-creating, and Advocating Peace), a peace advocacy initiative.

“Project YACAP was inspired by our experiences as volunteers in the evacuation centers and by our friends who have been affected by the siege. The project will bring youth into the conversation on peace and security in Mindanao,” according to project leader Lynrose Genon, an alumna of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program, a month-long high school student exchange in the United States.

The embassy said that since 1948, the US government has sponsored people-to-people exchanges that have built the leadership and professional capacities of more than 8,000 Filipinos from around the country.

DSWD to intensify fight vs. 4Ps irregularities in ARMM

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) is strengthening its current drive against irregularities in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) In the region.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Masuhud Alamia, concurrent DSWD-ARMM secretary, said on Tuesday that a series of activities related to this drawback are scheduled for local government units this month.

An immediate measure is up for implementation to address 4Ps-related problems, according to DSWD-ARMM.

For a start, Alamia said an ‘LGU Assembly on Social Welfare Protection’ is set for Jolo, Sulu on Feb.6 where officials would be informed on the regional government’s seriousness in imposing the program’s rules and regulations to prevent anomalous actions during 4Ps payouts.

During the event, Jolo officials are expected to present to Alamia their mechanism on addressing its 4Ps’ problems and issues, even as the regional government would also urge LGU officials for their full commitment in upholding the clean implementation of government’s programs and projects.

Also, a “watch/awareness program” would be launched in same event to allow concerned citizens to have an active in fighting corruption.

The plan covers the activation of DSWD-ARMM hotlines where citizens can call or send issues and concerns. Similar activities are lined up for other ARMM areas later, which include the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.

DAR-ARMM turns over 46 HDAP projects

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAR-ARMM) has turned over 46 various infrastructure projects worth P13,656,250 to agrarian reform beneficiaries and communities in Maguindanao province in January, officials said.

The projects were funded under the Kalilintad sa Kangilupa component of the Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program (HDAP) of the ARMM government, which is implemented by DAR-ARMM.

Dayang Carlsum Sangkula-Jumaide, DAR-ARMM Secretary, said the projects aim at assisting the agrarian reform beneficiaries and their organizations to develop agriculture-based enterprises towards improving farm productivity and increasing household income.

The projects include 24 socialized housing units, two community warehouses, and two solar dryers, which were turned over to agrarian reform beneficiaries and communities in the towns of Rajah Buayan and Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao on January 30.

The turnover was led by Sec. Jumaide and Assistant Secretary Sampaco Mamainte and was witnessed by Sultan Sa Barongis Vice-Mayor Datu Al-Fizzar Allandatu Angas.

Camsa Mindal, 50, is among the recipients of the socialized housing. Mindal said the housing unit is a big help for his family because his house, made mostly of light materials, is nearly damaged since it was built in 1980s.

Mindal is also the president of the Kulambog Al Amanah People’s Organization, Inc., an agrarian reform beneficiary organization based in Sultan Sa Barongis. The organization also received one community warehouse and one solar drier.

Mindal said the projects will surely boost their members’ income. Member-farmers of Al Amanah People’s Organization, Inc. have previously resorted to storing their harvest in their houses, which may cause losses to quality and quantity of their products. Mindal added these projects will surely protect their harvest from loses.

“Ya sigurado sa niya ba na katiyakapan name su inenggay nu sa lekami ka masela e makadtabang na niyaba sa lekami (We assure you that we will take good care of these facilities you awarded to us because it helps us a lot.),” Mindal said.

Sixteen socialized housing units, one community warehouse and one solar dryer were also turned over to beneficiaries in Mamasapano during the ARMM People’s Day that marked the third year commemoration of the Mamasapano incident on January 25.

Immediately following the Mamasapano encounter in 2015, the HDAP was drafted by the ARMM regional government. The program is an anti-poverty initiative covering barangays in 15 municipalities affected by intensified law enforcement operations launched immediately following the events in Mamasapano.

The Kalilintad sa Kangilupa component of HDAP has a total funding allocation of P100,462,000. The amount will be used for social infrastructures in agrarian reform communities, provision of farm inputs, various trainings and capability building, and provision of common service facilities that include mobile rice mills, rice threshers and huskers, corn shellers, among others.

Marawi OFWs, families to receive gov't assistance

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OWWA-ARMM) is now finalizing the list of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families affected by the Marawi siege who are to receive assistance from the government.

Some 3,500 OFWs and their families are set to benefit from a financial assistance from the government through OWWA-ARMM, according to Odin Abdullah, OWWA-ARMM chief program and services division officer.

Abdullah said active OWWA members or those with active membership would receive PhP10,000 cash assistance; while inactive members with expired membership would be given PhP5,000 each.

Abdullah said if an OWWA-member OFW was not in the country now, his or her immediate family must secure a special power of attorney to prove that the receiving party was a legitimate OFW family member.

Abdullah said his office was validating the list earlier submitted by village officials from Marawi City.

Beneficiaries will come from the villages of Tolali, Daguduban, Nubonga Madaya, South Madaya, Norhaya Village, Lilod Madaya, Banggolo, Raya Madaya 1, Raya Madaya 2, Lumbaca Madaya, Sabala Manao 1, Sabala Manao Proper, Dansalan, Datu A Dansalan, Sangcay Dansalan, Datu Naga, Marinaut East, Wawalayan, Marinaut, Kapantaran, Moncado Kadingilan and Moncado Colony.

Local officials submitted around 7,000 people for the OWWA financial aid but Abdullah said after verification, recipients were trimmed down to some 3,500.

Abdullah said his office was ensuring that only rightful beneficiaries would get the assistance so as not to defeat the purpose of the OWWA financial aid program.

Retrieved from "https://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Autonomous_Region_Muslim_Mindanao_News_February_2018&oldid=1076190"