ARMM is least HIV-infected region

COTABATO CITY --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) remains to be the region in the country with the least cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV), this according to the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM).

However, DOH-ARMM’s Infectious Disease Cluster (IDC) head Soraida Amiril reminds the ARMM populace to remain “cautious” and “be aware” about HIV/AIDS.

“Proper education is one key because whether we like it or not, there are still cases of HIV in the region,” she said.

Amiril said it is important to educate the public in order to prevent and take steps to reduce the risks associated with HIV/AIDS.

“October 2016 records show no cases of AIDS, but there were 12 cases of HIV. 19 percent cases of HIV were from heterosexual demographics, while 81 percent came from homosexual demographics, where mostly men having sex with men,” said Amiril.

Dr.Tato Usman, said the ARMM citizens who are vulnerable to acquiring the disease were the ones who usually travel to major urban centers.

“DOH records show that at least 25 Filipinos are affected by HIV on a regular daily basis,” said Usman.

In 2014, there were two cases of AIDS and seven cases of HIV in the ARMM. However, none of these cases have been diagnosed in the region because provincial health units lack social hygiene clinics for HIV diagnostic testing, so the cases have been consulted in the nearby regions --- Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region --- where they have the capacity to conduct the screening.

But the DOH-ARMM said this will change come 2017.

“They should not be ashamed. There are preventive measures for HIV/AIDS,” said Amiril.

Accordingly, it is a must that we know our HIV status. Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once. If you are at increased risk for HIV, you should be tested for HIV at least once a year. If you have HIV, you can get medical care, treatment, and supportive services to help you stay healthy and reduce your ability to transmit the virus to others. If you are pregnant and find that you have HIV, treatments are available to reduce the chance that your baby will have the disease, the DOH said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM okays P10.1-B worth of infra in 2017

COTABATO CITY ---  A total of P10.1 billion worth of infrastructure projects are expected to be implemented in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 2017.

Governor Mujiv Hataman and regional legislators signed Public Works Act of 2017 last December 15 that authorizes the appropriation of P10.1 billion for infrastructure projects in the ARMM. The region’s Public Works and Highways department (DPWH-ARMM), through its district engineering offices, will implement the approved projects.

These cover construction of major roads and bridges, water supply, seaports, shores, drainage canal, flood control, strategic infrastructure projects in support of tourism, agriculture, peace and security, public health or sanitation, and other socio-economic development activities and those in conflict- or calamity-affected areas.

The appropriation will be effective even beyond Fiscal Year 2017 until fully released, obligated, and disbursed for the purpose. The infrastructure funds will be properly distributed to the five provinces and two cities in the region.

“We will make sure that all the provinces will receive development projects from the regional government,” Governor Hataman said.

DPWH-ARMM Secretary Engr. Don Mustapha Loong noted that the implementation of the projects will be undertaken through competitive public bidding.

To effectively oversee the projects, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee, inclusive of the legislative assembly members or representatives, will conduct periodic checking and validation of the status of project implementation based on the approved program of work, project specifications, and time frame of completion. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ESGP-PA scholars hold first student congress

BONGAO, Tawi-tawi  ---  Scholars of the Expanded Student Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA)  of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) gathered recently for the first-ever “Student Congress” held at the Beachside Inn, this town.

The ESGP-PA is under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

Bai Mohara Biruar Mokamad-Amilhasan, ESGP-PA focal person of DSWD-ARMM, said the participants were composed of the program scholars coming from the Tawi-tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (TCTO) and Tawi-tawi Regional Agricultural College (TRAC).

“It was a day of fun and stress debriefing for the 154 scholars from TCTO and another 154 from TRAC. These students enjoyed our various activities, Horoscope (Getting To Know Each Other), Building Bridge, Longest Line, Spider Web, Water Relay, Meeting of Minds, Into The Loop, Caterpillar, and Brain Teaser,” said Amilhasan.

Alminda G. Ladaja, 4Ps regional program coordinator, said ESGP-PA is significant for it is an educational grant which gives priority to the 4Ps beneficiaries by providing them opportunity to get higher college education and increase their chance to land better employment in the future.

“The ESGP-PA provides academic grants for the tertiary education of poor but deserving students, giving priority to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries. The students shall be enrolled in state universities and colleges to take up courses which are aligned with government key growth areas,” said Ladja.

Under the program, grantees of this scholarship shall be enrolled in state colleges and universities (SUCs) with accredited courses aligned with the priorities of the government. A student grantee shall be entitled to a maximum grant of P60,000 per academic year broken down as follows:  (1) P20,000 per academic year for tuition, other fees, and academic and extracurricular expenses;  (2) P5,000 per academic year for textbook and other learning materials; and (3) P3,500 per month for 10 months for food, lodging, clothing, transportation, health or medical needs, basic school supplies, and other related costs.

As one of the requirements, applicants to this program shall enroll  in one  of the priority programs identified by Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Hadja Pombaen Karon-Kader, assistant regional secretary of DSWD-ARMM, said the ESGP-PA aims to address poverty alleviation by increasing the number of graduates in higher education among poor households.

“We would want to let these graduates be employed in good landing jobs in order to lift their families out of poverty,” said Kader.

Accordingly, the program is implemented by the CHED in partnership with the DSWD-ARMM, Department of Budget and Management, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, and the Department of Labor and Employment. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

OCD-ARMM addresses role of women in resilience building

COTABATO CITY --- The Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) is one with the national government on its 18-Day Campaign To End Violence Against Women, an annual observance in the country from November 25 to December 12 in support to the Philippine government’s goal to protect the rights of women and its commitment to address all forms of VAW.

Myrna J. Angot, officer-in-charge of OCD-ARMM, said the observance adopts the theme, “VAW – Free Community Starts with Me,” to raise awareness that violence against women is a public issue of national concern that needs a multi–sectoral approach to address the problem.

“We are appealing to the public, most especially to the women, to come out and report if in case they are victims of any kind of abuse,” Angot said.

There are two issuances that provide the national legal mandates for the annual VAW campaign: Proclamation 1172 s. 2006 – Declaring 25 November to 12 December as the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) and Republic Act 10398 (2013) – Declaring November 25 of Every Year as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.

Angot said that in support of the world-wide Campaign to End VAW, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begun in 1991, linking November 25 (International Day Against VAW) and December 10 (International Human Rights Day) to emphasize that VAW is a human rights violation.

“The Philippine government has participated in this world-wide campaign to eliminate VAW since 2002. Recognizing that human trafficking is a form of VAW, Presidential Proclamation 1172 s. 2006 extended the national campaign to 18 days, to include December 12, a historic date that marked the start of opening for signature in year 2000 of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime,” said Angot.

Further, Angot cited the role of women in advocating for stronger engagement in the planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction program.

“Let us bear in mind the importance of having equal access to information and skills. Therefore, we should strengthen the individual capacities of our women and communities to combat challenges of any disaster,” she said.

Angot said women should be more resilient to face the recurring hazards and stressed they can be of help to make sure that hazards do not turn into disasters.

“Women could enhance disaster planning by focusing on community needs and vulnerable groups,” she added.

Angot added that women must somehow understand the consequences of disasters and its potential long term impacts.

“It is a must to ensure that women’s needs in disaster are represented. For one thing, promoting gender balance is crucial since women are certainly more affected by disasters than men. They need to take care of the children aside from other matters involving the family and their surrounding community” she said.

Angot also emphasized the importance of women in building the resilience of communities for sustainable development.

“In building a disaster resilient community, it is only important to have a gender sensitive DRR approach,” she said. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

BUDGET ALLOCATION

BUDGET ALLOCATION --- The ARMM  last December 15 approved the Regional Public Works Act of 2017 authorizing  the appropriation of P10.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2017 for the region's public works and highways and Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 329 which authorizes the appropriation of the P1.68 billion worth of local funds for different regional line-agencies. Showing the signed enactments are Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman (4^th from left) and Regional Legislative Assembly Speaker Datu Roonie Sinsuat.  (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

KIDDIE TIME

KIDDIE TIME --- More than 500 children in Barangay Rosary Heights-10 were treated to the "Pamaskong Handog para sa Kabataan 2016," a feeding program for the children of Cotabato City, spearheaded and initiated by Cotabato City Police Office under Police Director Senior Superintendent  Victor Valencia with support and assistance from City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi. (City Government of Cotabato / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

PEACE PLAN

PEACE PLAN --- Sultan Sa Barongis Administrator Danialan B. Utap relates the formulated peace undertakings or programs to be initiated  by the municipal government and the 1^st Mechanized Brigade of the Philippine Army during courtesy call of the newly installed brigade commander Col. Bismarck D. Soliva last December 16 at the Municipal Hall.  (ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Datu Odin Sinsuat observes town’s 22nd renaming anniversary

SERVICE GRATITUDE --- Maguindanao 1^st District Rep. Bai Sandra S. Sema is a recipient of a Plaque of Appreciation from Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat, Sr. for her invaluable support to the various development programs of the town. The plaque was presented to Sema during the 22nd Renaming Anniversary held at the municipal covered court last December 15. With the mayor are ARMM Governor Mujiv S.  Hataman and 9^th Regional Legislative Assembly Speaker Roonie Sinsuat. (ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY ---  The municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat gears for another year of competence as it observed last December 15 its 22^nd Renaming Anniversary with the theme, “Sulong Pagbabago tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”

Datu Odin Sinsuat, well-known for peaceful co-existence amid diverse ethnicity and formerly known as Dinaig, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao. The town's name Dinaig was changed into Datu Odin Sinsuat in 1994 by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 29.

In a simple program held at the municipal covered court, Municipal Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat, Sr. said that through the years peace and order have been their primary concern.

“This is the reason why come every election, our town delivers very well. We are conducting it the peaceful way because of the dialogue between the local leaders and our constituents. They discuss, like for instance, who should run in the elections. It is all about sincerity and respect,” he said.

Bai Sandra S. Sema, House representative for the 1st District of Maguindanao, expressed in her message how proud she is for the greatest achievements of the town under the leadership of Sinsuat.

“We have many things to be thankful for. Firstly, we have an effective peace and order campaign. Another, the town has several tourist attractions where residents from Maguindanao and Cotabato City could enjoy like the Kusiong Beach, the famous Blue Lagoon, and others,” she said.

To add another milestone in history, Sema added she will also file a bill in Congress in January creating the province of Northern Maguindanao where the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat will be its capital.

“We will push on the creation of another province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),” she said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, who was the guest of honour and speaker in the event, greeted the constituents in the renaming anniversary of the town.

“This is a promise that before I finish my term, roads shall be cemented and it includes Datu Odin Sinsuat,” he said.

Other personalities present during the affair included Maguindanao Vice-Governor Datu Lester S. Sinsuat, Maguindanao Board Members Russman U. Sinsuat, Jr., Datu Bimbo Q. Sinsuat, Nashrullah Imam, Department of Transportation and Communication-ARMM Regional Secretary Datu Ombra Sinsuat, Jr., and PNP Maguindanao Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello.

Datu Odin Sinsuat is politically subdivided into 34 barangays --- Ambolodto, Awang, Badak, Bagoenged, Baka, Benolen, Bitu, Bongued, Bugawas, Capiton, Dados, Dalican-Poblacion, Dinaig Proper, Dulangan, Kakar, Kenebeka, Kurintem, Kusiong, Labungan, Linek, Makir, Margues, Mompong, Nekitan, Sapalan, Semba, Sibuto, Sifaren (Sifaran), Tambak, Tamontaka, Tanuel, Tapian, Taviran, and Tenonggos. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Shariff Aguak now focused on public service and peace

COTABATO CITY --- The local government unit of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao is determined to push the development agenda and social services for the poor as well as strengthening the fight against illegal drugs for the benefit of the town constituents.

Mayor Marop B. Ampatuan said the main priority of the local government is the infrastructure.

Ampatuan, who is also a licensed civil engineer, said that only two weeks ago, they have completed the road widening project along the national highway, from Barangay Poblacion to the boundary in Barangay Labulabu.

“Our focus now is with the infrastructure. The heavy equipment of the local government has arrived recently and we would want to show to our constituents that we are serious with our governance.  As what the President earlier said that change is coming, “I must say, change has taken place in Shariff Aguak,” he said.

Ampatuan added that he intends to accomplish until his term in 2019 the road network of the barangays in the town.

“Our constituents are the ones who suffer with the current situation of the roads. Their farm products could not be easily transported to the market and this is the thing we would want to look into for immediate solution,” he said.

Ampatuan said canals which serve as drainages are also being reconstructed to prevent flooding.

“We have extended the width of our canals to prevent flooding at the low-lying barangays,” he said.

Ampatuan also emphasized that they are strengthening the municipal anti-drug abuse campaign. “We have previously listed 330 drug users who surrendered to local authorities. To ensure that they are not going back to their illegal activities, we monitor their daily routines.”

The chief executive added that the surrenderees are also engaged into sports and various activities such as zumba dance exercise, tree planting, and clean-up dive.

“We also provide them livelihood assistance so they can fully turn their backs out of drugs. We provide them with fertilizers for backyard gardening in coordination with the barangay chairmen,” he said.

Shariff Aguak, formerly Maganoy, is politically subdivided into 13 barangays:  Bagong, Bialong, Kuloy, Labu-labu, Lapok (Lepok), Malingao, Poblacion, Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Satan, Tapikan, Timbangan, and Tina. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

OBYA conducting prov’l youth summits

OBYA Executive Director Salic Sharief, Jr. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The Office on the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has conducted series of youth summits in the component provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Sulu.

OBYA Executive Director Salic Sharief, Jr. said they have staged these events so the youth sector could have a venue to air out their issues and concerns. Tawi-tawi is set to hold its own summit.

“Last November, we have profiled our youth organizations, youth volunteers, out-of- school youths, special youth groups such as drug dependents and those arrested and have surrendered to authorities arrested, persons with disabilities, as well as extremists,”  authorities,” said Sharief.

He said the profiling of these youth groups is necessary for the matching of  programs most appropriate to their needs and concerns.

Sharief said their office is also conducting series of focus group discussions (FGDs) to deeply interact with the “emerging leaders of this generation.”

“We have conducted at last three to four rounds of FGD in the communities so that during the provincial summit, the issues are already clarified and easily consolidated. We invite the youths from other provinces as we go from one province to another. That way, they interact and better understand each other through communication,” said Sharief.

Sharief shared a few sentiments of the youths in some rounds of the summit, quoting them as saying: “They won’t listen to us, they only use us, and the concerned agencies don’t actually help us.”

“The purpose of this summit is to have a venue to consolidate their concerns, identify their strengths and challenges, and suggest programs they think would suit them,” he added.

Sharief said the OBYA plans to conduct a “regional youth summit” this December in close coordination with the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA)-ARMM.

“Our intention is not to do a standalone program but to recognize the need to coordinate with other concerned agencies. Te RLA has already started this endeavour in the past.
We are more than happy that they are willing to facilitate the upcoming regional youth summit,” he said.

Sharief added that the regional summit would provide them the track in formulating a “Bangsamoro youth development and peace building plan” for the years 2017-2022.

“This would serve as our guide to the different programs we are going to implement in the coming years. We certainly want a clear direction and rest assured we are going to highlight progressive programs for the youths. There must be sense of ownership for them during the formulation of the plan,” he said. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

LOVE OF SERVICE

LOVE OF SERVICE --- The city's street educators shared light moments with City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi during their courtesy visit last December 7. The street educators are serving children in a volunteer capacity out of their genuine concern and love for the future generation. Mayor Guiani-Sayadi commended their efforts and expressed her support to the activities of the street educators as they have been very helpful in ensuring that every child in the city receives basic education. "We have always established that education is one of the basic rights of the children that must be provided to them. With the efforts of our street educators, together with our teachers, this right is being enjoyed by every child in Cotabato City," the mayor said. This year, Cotabato City has recorded “zero out-of-school youth” and street children are being rescued and housed at the city's Social Development Center. (COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Cot. City pioneers in septage project

QUALITY ENVIRONMENT --- City Administrator Danda N. Juanday leads the ground breaking ceremonies of the P64-M Septage Management Project together with Assistant City General Services Officer and Interim Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Crisanto B. Saavedra (right) and representatives from the USAID and Metro Cotabato Water District. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city government, in partnership with the Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - Be Secure, spearheaded the ground breaking ceremonies of the P64 million “Septage Management Project” last December 5 at the old Malagapas dumpsite in Barangay Rosary Heights X.

Engr. Crisanto B. Saavedra, assistant City General Services officer and Interim Environment and Natural Resources officer, said it all started when the idea of a septage management program was presented to the late City Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr. and then city administrator Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

“The then city mayor appreciated the idea, so he offered a partnership with the MCWD and invited them for a meeting at the city hall,” said Saavedra.

Saavedra said the city government of Cotabato and the MCWD have agreed to jointly undertake the protection and preservation of the city’s surface water and groundwater to prevent further deterioration of biodiversity and quality of life.

“We express our deepest thanks to the USAID Be Secure Project for extending technical assistance through the conduct of training and study tour at various areas,” he said.

Saavedra said the partners decided to utilize a fully mechanized facility.“It was followed by the drafting of the ordinance and identification of the site,” he said.

Saavedra added that the construction of the facility shall be undertaken by the City Engineering Office of the local government unit.

“A project construction monitoring team shall be established to monitor the progress of the project implementation during the construction phase. This PMT shall be distinct and independent from the regular project monitoring committee of the city government as their task is specifically for and limited to this septage management project only,” he said.

He added that the project implementation monitoring and evaluation team shall be composed of representatives from the City Planning and Development Office, General Services Office, MCWD, Office on Health Services, Environment Management Bureau - Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the USAID – Be Secure.

City Administrator Danda N. Juanday said  the infrastructure components of the project have all the amenities that a septage treatment facility requires.

“These include fence enclosure with steel gates and perimeter lighting system, two units of guardhouse, administration building, garage/motorpool, parking area, treatment plant with laboratory building, mini-fish pond, road network, drainage system, organic garden, material recovery facility with vermi-composting facility, powerhouse, and a stockroom,” Juanday said.

City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani- Sayadi expressed her optimism on this newest achievement of the city government.

“This project is the first in Mindanao and also the first in the country using a fully mechanized facility to be operated through  partnership between the local government unit and the local water utility company,” she said.

Elias Salazar, provincial coordinator of the USAID Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project said he is thrilled on the positive response of the city government and its partners on the implementation of the project.

“Indeed, this is a milestone for the city government of Cotabato,” he said.

Accordingly, the project operation includes regular collection of the septage, proper treatment of the septage, and the environmentally acceptable manner of disposal of the septage. The operation will be divided into five sections and septic tanks shall be desludged every five years. (GILMHAR A. LAO& ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Comprehensive program to address flood problem

COTABATO CITY --- Regional Secretary Don Mustapha Loong of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH- ARMM) sees the need for a more comprehensive  program to address the flood problem along the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao.

Loong said the department has discussed this matter during the recent convergence committee meeting with the municipal planning officers of the affected towns.

“Projects implemented by the DPWH-ARMM are mostly roads, bridges, and river walls. Therefore, we need a comprehensive and holistic program that will address the problem surrounding Liguasan Marsh,” he said.

Loong said this is part of the Mindanao River Basin, so it is not only a concern of the regional government but also of other areas affected by the flooding.

“The provincial government of Maguindanao has quickly responded on the issue by purchasing two dredging machines amounting to P60 million. They have partnered with the affected local government units to dredge the rivers,” he said.

Previously, the municipality of Sultan sa Barongis in the province of Maguindanao has appealed for aid from the provincial and the ARMM governments to solve its recurring flood problem.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said that Sultan sa Barongis is situated along the borders of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and is at the direct path of Ala River, a major tributary springing from South Cotabato.

“Flood waters easily rise in the town, most especially in the five low-lying barangays --- Paldong, Barurao, Gadungan, Papakan, and Kulambog,” he said.

Angas mentioned the characteristics of flood waters that remain unpredictable as they recede and suddenly rise even if Maguindanao province experiences no rain.

“Even if we don’t experience rain here in the province, we are still prone to flooding should it rain in the nearby provinces. Floods come and go but it’s getting worse every time a situation like this takes place,” he said.

Mayor Angas earlier blamed a flood control dike constructed by a banana plantation company.  “They put up a dike to save their farm site but the flood water from Ala River has been diverted to Sultan sa Barongis.” (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Butig incident affects P50-M infra projects

COTABATO CITY --- The recent armed conflict in the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur has hampered the project implementation of some P50 million worth of infrastructures in the affected areas of the province and elsewhere where confrontations are spilled over.

But despite the situation, Don Mustapha Loong, regional secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the regional government remains positive on the support of the national leadership under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in terms of peace platform and development initiatives.

“We are calling the attention of our local government units to be more pro-active and decisive in ensuring the stability of peace and order in their respective localities,” the regional secretary appealed.

Loong expressed hopefulness on the positive responses of local leaders, saying it is a good start of giving assurance that social services by the government are reaching even the farthest communities of the autonomous region.

“When there is conflict, it does not only affect the rural heal heath workers or the teachers, but also our engineers deployed in the field due to the stand-off. So we call on the active participation of our local leaders because their constituents look up to them in assuring them of stability,” he said.

Loong narrated how it is difficult from their end to implement their projects, most especially in the conflict-affected areas.

“In Butig alone, we have a flagship project there, the Butig to Pigcawayan road and Butig to Barira road. The length of the road extends to at least three kilometers. As a matter of fact, even before the recent conflict perpetuated by terrorist groups sparked in the town, peace and order was already our problem ever since,” he lamented.

He said one national contractor was forced to stop their ongoing project implementation due to the situation.

“We have several projects affected by conflict in nearby municipalities because it’s a common knowledge that when a particular incident erupts, it easily escalates to the nearby communities,” he said.

Loong revealed some sentiments of local residents “on the unfair treatment among the Moro people” or ”not feeling the existence of the government.”

“This is the high time that they have to feel there exists a true and working government ready to support them with our various development plans. We would want them to be one with the government,” he said.

Loong cited one significant long-term solution to the problem, which is the continuous implementation of infrastructure projects such as road networks.

“This 2016, as we added another 400 kilometers of road network projects, we have already reached more than a thousand kilometers,” he said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM cited as most improved region in peace and order

COTABATO CITY --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been cited as the most improved region in terms of peace and order as well as financial administration.

On Tuesday, December 6, the national government’s Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS), headed by Director Manny Gotis, bestowed awards to regional offices and Seal of Good and Local Governance, or SGLG, to focal persons in a ceremony held in Makati City. BLGS operates under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In the awarding ceremony, the ARMM was cited as the most improved region in the areas of peace and order and financial administration. From being a zero passer in SGLG in 2015, the region also scored six SGLG awardees this year, indicating significant improvement in local governance.

Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero personally conferred the awards to the recipients. Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno delivered his message in the ceremony dubbed “Maaasahang Katuwang sa Pamamalakad.”

Noor Hafizullah Abdullah, DILG-ARMM secretary, noted the citations are in “recognition of the (region’s and local government unit awardees’) good performance.” Last year, not one local government unit (LGU) in the region passed the SGLG requirements. “This year, however, the region has six,” Secretary Abdullah said.

The 2016 SGLG awardees in the ARMM are the province of Maguindanao, the city of Lamitan in Basilan, and the towns of North Upi and Parang in Maguindanao, Wao in Lanao del Sur, and Jolo in Sulu.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said good governance practices should be emulated by other LGUs in the region as he  urged the region’s LGUs to focus on improving their performances and over-all operations in order to the deliver services to their constituents.

The DILG describes the SGLG, also known as “Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal,” as the conferment of a seal to LGUs that adhere to performance criteria, namely, improvements on performance, accountability, transparency, and participation.

These requirements encompass three core assessment areas: Good Financial Housekeeping, Social Protection and Disaster Preparedness, and at least one from the essential assessment areas, namely, Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order, or Environmental Management.

The most prestigious awards to LGUs echo DILG’s mantra “Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan.”

Secretary Abdullah expressed the region’s hope to have more awardees in the region as they continue their commitment as partners for change.

DILG-ARMM Assistant Secretary Sharifa Pearlsia Dans said the region looks forward to double, or even triple, the number of awardees next year. “We cannot thank enough the local chief executives and our provincial, city directors, and other local officials for their unwavering commitment and participation in the success of this program,” she said.

“Let us continue to spread the seeds of good local governance so that the ARMM constituency would benefit from these efforts,” she added. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

BUILDING UP CHILDREN

BUILDING UP CHILDREN --- The 24th National Children's Month celebration in the ARMM ended November 28 with a Children's Congress at Estosan Garden Hotel in Cotabato City. The Congress gathered more than 40 children ages three to five years old, currently attending Child Development Centers in the six clustered provinces of the region and Marawi City.

Children participants, who emerged as winners from their respective provinces, competed in various creative talent expositions, including singing, poetry recitation, dancing, drawing, and storytelling.

Kay Lintongan, DSWD specialist on child and youth welfare, said  the program was designed for children to practice their right to participation, as well as for them to showcase their talents and creativity and build their self confidence.

The National Children’s Month Celebration happens in November of every year in pursuant to Republic Act 10661, or National Children’s Month Act. The declaration commemorates the adoption of the convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989. It seeks to instill the rights of the child in the Filipino consciousness. This year’s theme is “Isulong: Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Lahat ng Bata!” (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

CLEAN LOOK

CLEAN LOOK --- Personnel of the Cotabato City government, together with the Liga ng mga Baragay, join the 67th Fiesta Celebration of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral (December 8) through a Linis Bayan activity last December 2. Equipped with their cleaning materials, the employees swept the areas in downtown along Quezon Avenue, Sinsuat Avenue, Rajah Tabunaway Boulevard, Makakua Street, in front of the old city hall, and others. It is a way of encouraging fellow Cotabateños to be mindful of the cleanliness of the environment and do their own cleaning. The Linis Bayan is a regular activity for a cleaner and more environment-friendly Cotabato City. (COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

HOLDING ON TO PEACE

HOLDING ON TO PEACE --- The week-long celebration of this year's Mindanao Week of Peace in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao formally concluded last November 28 inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City. With the theme "Healing for Personal and Social Transformation," the officials led the symbolic release of balloons and signing of the Wall of Commitment to Peace. The locally funded agencies in the region headed by the Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs conducted series of activities such as the run for peace, photo exhibit, literary and musical peace concert, Morolympics, and peace forum. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

OBYA lead peace week

Executive Director Salic Sharief, Jr of OBYA leads the “Plant of Peace” at the ORG Compound in Cotabato City during the culmination program of the “Mindanao Week of Peace” last November 28, 2016. (OBYA-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The Office on the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded the week-long activities of the “Mindanao Week of Peace” from November 24-28, 2016.

OBYA Ececutive Director Salic Sharief, Jr. said the autonomous regional government, being at the forefront of advocating peace and development not only in the region but in Mindanao and the entire country, conducted series of peace activities with the theme, “Healing for Personal and Social Transformation.”

Sharief said the OBYA lad the activities along with the locally funded agencies of the autonomous region, the Regional Sports Coordinating Office-ARMM, Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM, and the Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women-ARMM.

“Our peace activities included Run for Peace, Peace Forum, MorOlympics, Futsal (Exhibition Game), Literary & Musical Peace Concert, Museum of Peace, and Photo Exhibit and Video Presentation,” he said.

During the culmination activity last November 28, Sharief said their agency conducted a tree planting activity called “Plant for Peace.”

“Aside from the Plant for Peace, we also did the Message of Peace, Balloon Release, Sign for Peace activities,” he said.

Sharief said the activity is in pursuit to Presidential Proclamation No. 127 where the government recognizes the common aspirations of Mindanaons to live in peace, unity, and harmony with each other regardless of status in life, religion, or culture.

“In order to raise consciousness for a culture of peace among the constituents of Mindanao, there is a need to provide a venue for expression of peace aspirations in various forms and for convergence of peace initiatives. This is a perfect venue,” he said.

Accordingly, the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year thereafter is declared as the Mindanao Week of Peace. All concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and members of the private sector and civil society based in Mindanao are enjoined and encouraged to engage in relevant and meaningful activities in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in coordination with the Bishops-Ulama Forum. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)