President Rodrigo Duterte met ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman in Basilan

ISLAND VISIT --- President Rodrigo Duterte met ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman in Basilan last July 21 as both assessed the peace and order situation there. Hataman released this statement after the meeting: "I promised the President that the ARMM government will help the evacuees and assist in the development of the province. President Duterte is also inviting the LGUs of Basilan and ARMM for another meeting in Malacañang to talk about the problems of the island and the whole region. President Duterte is very concerned and wants one thing for the Bangsamoro -- lasting and meaningful peace."

HELP COMES --- Before meeting the President, Governor Hataman led the conduct of simultaneous medical and relief operation in three municipalities affected by the ongoing military operation against members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan province. Based on ARMM-HEART data, the relief assistance reached at least 3,000 in the towns of Albarka, Tipo-Tipo, and Ungkaya Pukan. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM – Mindanao Expose’)

Cotabato City Vice Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi inspects motorcycle mufflers in a store

By John Unson (philstar.com) | Updated July 19, 2016 - 4:29pm

NOISE OUT --- Cotabato City Vice Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (right) inspects motorcycle mufflers in a store amid a crackdown on the use of mechanical bike manifolds designed to magnify engine noise excessively. (CITY INFORMATION OFFICER HALIMA SATOL-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Rights, integration of PWDs upended

CHILD CARE --- HOM OIC-Executive Director Omar John Sinsuat delivers a talk on proper nutrition for the 1st 1000 days of life of every child as a primary intervention to prevent physical disability.

The chairperson of the Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) underscored the need to create an environment for the persons with disabilities (PWDs) to earn respect and be able to experience the sense of belongingness in the society.

RHRC-ARMM Chairperson Atty. Abdulnasser Badrudin said many PWDs are secluded because of attitudinal, social, and oppressive barriers that result to disabling them from exercising their rights.

Badrudin spoke before stakeholders to the culmination of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week last July 21 at the regional level.

“By eliminating these barriers, we may be able to practice our roles in advancing the rights of the PWDs,” he told the stakeholders such as the support agencies and institutions mandated to deliver the services to the concerned sector.

In her keynote address, Assistant Secretary Dayang Jumaide of DOH-ARMM encouraged every sector to raise issues and concerns in support and reinforcement of the rights of the PWDs as she cited numerous laws that serve to protect the rights and well-being of the PWDs but saddened by their non-implementation.

She cited Section 18 of the Magna Carta for PWDs (Republic Act 7277) which institutes a national health program aimed to attain: prevention of disability, whether occurring pre-natally or post-natally; recognition and early diagnosis of disability; and early rehabilitation of the disabled.

Other sections in the Magna Carta pertain to the rights and privileges of the PWDs in relation to an integrated system of special education, integrative and comprehensive health services, and access to public transport facilities, among others.

“Let us join hands with stakeholders, policy makers, and together with people who care, we can break the barriers. Individuals will be free from coercion, violence, and oppression. Equality is achieved when the power is equally distributed... despite their physical limitation. We challenge the duty bearers to contribute to the human rights and welfare of PWDs,” she appealed.

On the national perspectives on disability prevention and rehabilitation, the regional program coordinator of the National Council on Disability Affairs, Miguel Antonio P. Limon, mentioned that disability is an evolving concept, explaining that interaction with the environment affects person’s ability.  “It’s high time to promote the economic integration of this sector… Both public and private agencies should allocate one percent of the fund for them.

He said economic integration is important to all people and not just the PWDs’ concern as “sooner or later, it can happen to us and you might be the one asking for these rights that they are claiming now.”

Meanwhile, The Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM) directed its focus in discussing disability prevention, emphasizing on the right nutrition for the 1st 1000 days of life as it related the interaction between malnutrition and disability.

Omar John Sinsuat, HOM OIC-executive director, said the Philippines  is the 5th country in the world with the highest burden of low-birth weight and 25.2 percent  of its population live below the poverty line, including more than 10 million women.

These are exacerbated by frequent natural disasters, especially in the Visayas, and the tenured conflicts in Central Mindanao.

“This is alarming since the maternal health can have a major impact on children’s survival, growth, and development. Through the 1st 1000 day initiatives, the support sectors can help break the chain of malnutrition by increasing the level of awareness and promoting good maternal condition,” Sinsuat said as he challenged the policy makers to use this “knowledge” as a political window of opportunity to promote health for every mother and child.

Hadja Sambai Sali Suwaib, a representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development said that while they are mandated address the needs and concerns of the PWDs, their agency resorts to referrals which other institutions can best serve in terms of financial capacity, citing the fund and service support from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Datu Rusman Sinsuat, Jr., said support to the sector includes provision of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and eyeglasses, among others.  And “most importantly educational capabilities,” that will empower them to be part of society as they, too, can “contribute to the economic growth and sustainable development of the country.”

On its side, the Department of Health-ARMM expressed its mandate to render medical services to the PWDs, citing its mental health and eye care programs, among others, as it mentioned its plan to cascade the training of trainers of health providers.

For the amputees resulting from the armed conflicts in Mindanao, the Davao Jubilee Foundation, Inc. assured the provision of artificial limbs in partnership with Philippine Red Cross. In case of need, they can visit the office at #3 Veterans Drive, Pedro Colina Hill Rosary Heights I in Cotabato City.

The Davao Jubilee Foundation, Inc is a non-profit charitable organization designed to help disabled people in the Philippines. It has helped thousands of poor handicapped persons in Mindanao each year through its mani-fold services: community-based rehabilitation, physical therapy, eye and ear screening, audiological testing, prostheses, orthoses, custom-made wheelchair, referral network, medical missions, and vocational rehabilitation.

The HOM said the culmination activity serves as an eye-opener to the lawmakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders in ensuring that the rights of the PWDs are delivered to them.

“We must enable them to come out in the open and co-exist in an inclusive society, free from several barriers, stigma, and other forms of discrimination. Let them showcase their special abilities and contribute to the process of developing our country,” the HOM uttered its plea.

Several sectors, agencies, and stakeholders took part in the regional-wide culmination of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

The activity was spearheaded by the Regional Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the National Council on Disability Affairs, Office of the Regional Governor,  Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education,  Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,  Bureau of Public Information-ARMM, Biosafet Clearing House of the Philippines, Department of Transportation and Communication, Civil Service Commission, other leaders and representatives from local government units as well as with other organizations such as  the Health Organization for Mindanao, International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Moropreneur, Davao Jubilee Foundation, Inc., and Golden Hands Charity Foundation. (Norfa Mastura Guiaber-Tayuan, Information Management Officer, HOM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Updates on the activities and programs of their respective offices

The Department Heads of the City Government of Cotabato meets with City Administrator Dr. Danda N. Juanday every Friday to give updates on the activities and programs of their respective offices.

This is our way of checking on the projects that we have funded at the beginning of the year and assure that these are properly implemented. This initiative is also in compliance to the national government's campaign on full disclosure and transparency in all government transactions.

The weekly meeting is also our way of looking into our strengths and further improve them and also our weaknesses and be able to work on them.

This is our way of ensuring that our citizens are receiving the best of our services and are enjoying their benefits from the city government. (COURTESY OF CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM celebrates 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

The ARMM's Regional Human Rights Commission spearheaded the regional celebration of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, July 21, 2016, at the Al-Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City.

According to the National Statistics Office 2010 Census of Population and Housing, there are a total of 34,775 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the ARMM - 17,875 of which are male, and 16,900 are female.

Atty. Abdulnasser Badrudin, RHRC-ARMM chairperson, said the program is a way of showing concern to PWDs being one of the most vulnerable sectors of the society, and to promote better awareness of their rights.

The celebration bears the theme "Karapatan ng Maykapansanan, Isakatuparan... Now Na." (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DOH-ARMM, CRMC conduct mobile blood donation.

The ARMM’s Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), conducted a mobile blood donation today, July 20, 2016 inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City.

The blood donation was part of DOH-ARMM’s National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP).

It was part of a series of voluntary blood donation across the region. DOH-ARMM also held similar activity in the towns of Upi, Parang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, among others, in the province of Maguindanao earlier this year.

Noraida Ibrahim, RN, DOH-ARMM’S NVBSP coordinator, said a total of 62 volunteers donated in the activity. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

OCD- ARMM CONDUCTS CONTINGENCY PLAN FORMULATION WORKSHOP FOR LANAO DEL SUR

Datu Odin Sinsuat, MAGUINDANAO- The Office of Civil Defense- ARMM is bound to strengthen its capacity building endeavours on disaster risk reduction management through the conduct of "Contingency Plan Formulation Workshop" with the council members, technical staff and other concerned agencies on DRR at the provincial level of Lanao del Sur.

The four-day activity participated in by at least forty (40) representatives from the aforementioned is currently being held from July 19-22, 2016 at Hotel Almaseer, this town. The event were also attended by the four (4) pillars of the DRRM thematic areas, the Department of Interior and Local Government-ARMM, Department of Science and Technology-ARMM, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-ARMM together with the Department of Health-ARMM.

Myrna J. Angot, OIC of Civil Defense-ARMM, said contingency planning is significant for the local government units so they could have the capacity to respond properly come any disaster in their areas and that they will be able to formulate better disaster risk reduction and preparedness plan.

“Inclusive topics in the four-day training workshop were the orientation on the Philippine DRRM system, the Incident Command System (ICS), the cluster approach, and finally, the crafting of their own contingency plan,” said Angot.

Angot said the country is vulnerable to disasters due to its geographic location, where it frequently experiences natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.

“Not only that, because here in the autonomous region we also experience recurring human induced or man-made disasters,” said Angot.

Mauricio Civiles, Focal Person of DILG-ARMM, said when these disasters occur, it is important that the LGUs have mitigated the impact of disasters and its effects. He added the DRRM as instructed by newly installed Regional Secretary Noor Hafizullah M. Abdullah shall be a top priority.

"But due to the increasing complexity of disasters, assessing the situation of the impacted areas, as well as determining the numbers of affected population and addressing the priority needs pose as challenges,” said Civiles.

Col. Tatar Boriongan, PDRRMO of Lanao del Sur, said the contingency plan aims to strengthen and enhance the operational capabilities of the local government units in responding to emergency situations in the localities of Lanao del Sur.

“We also emphasize the importance of pre-emergency planning throughout every stage of a crisis and a well-managed response that will optimize the strength and capacities of our various LDRRMCs,” said Boriongan.

Further, contingency plan is important for it involves situational awareness through risk assessment, identification of hazards, its root causes as well as capacities and vulnerabilities, preparation of locally-driven hazard maps in the absence of scientific maps, intelligence and information assessments, hazard analysis, scenario-building for a worst-case situation, with a predictive response element to an impending emergency by ensuring the availability of necessary resources, and by establishing a mechanism for rapid decision-making founded on authority, responsibility and accountability.

In addition, the contingency plan lives prior to an occurrence of disaster event, by arranging potential response structure, mechanisms, resources, and disaster risk reduction measures that are focused into a certain emergency event. A CP assists in: Focusing the attention and facilitating the response capabilities’ leaning forward to a particular disaster event, Generating commitment among parties involved to act in a coordinated manner before the emergency occurs; Mobilizing effective actions and resources for emergency response; and Designing a concrete and continuous plan until the emergency occurs and which should be continuously updated as long as the hazard exists or can be discontinued when the hazard is no longer threatening.

It is also a response preparedness measure which is focused on establishing mechanisms and priorities in response to a disaster event. Its effectiveness, however, depend on the effectiveness of other DRRM activities that cover pre-disaster concerns that effectively contribute to risk reduction, prevention and mitigation and even post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation. In this sense, CP together with other activities make up a holistic approach and takes a more proactive framework consistent with the overall objectives of DRRM.

The DRRM is one of the priority programs of ARMM Regional Governor, Mujiv S. Hataman, where the autonomous region frequently experiences both human induced or man-made and natural disasters. (GILMHAR A. LAO-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Traffic Summit/Public Hearing on Traffic Issues

The Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Cotabato City Vice Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, listen to the questions, suggestions, and comments of different sectors in the city on the issue of traffic.

This is the first time that the city government of Cotabato conducted a Traffic Summit/Public Hearing on Traffic Issues. The interaction between the city officials and the representatives from the different sectors has been very fruitful and successful with all the questions answered and the comments duly noted by our City Council.

City Vice Mayor Guiani-Sayadi also read to the audience the new ordinance proposed by the city council that will impose new rules on the parking, rerouting, and other regulations most especially the use of the national highway and other main thoroughfares of Cotabato City. (HALIMA K. SATOL-IBRAHIM-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

OCD-ARMM CONDUCTS WASAR LEVEL UP FOR MAINLAND PROVINCES

Datu Odin Sinsuat, MAGUINDANAO- The Office of Civil Defense-ARMM opened on Monday, 18 July 2016 the conduct of six-day training on Water, Search, and Rescue (WASAR) Level Up for the autonomous region’s mainland provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

The training which currently takes place from July 18-23, 2016 and facilitated by the 6th Division Training School (DTS) together with the Bureau of Fire Protection- ARMM include at least forty-two (42) participants from the PNP Police Regional Office-ARMM, Office of Civil Defense-ARMM, Armed Forces of the Philippines and selected local government units.

Myrna J. Angot, OIC of the OCD-ARMM, said the water search and rescue training, one of the priority programs under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is significant so we can minimize the threats on rescuers when rescuing victims or people during incidents.

“Since this is a level up training, it is going to be very rigid. They will be taught on upgraded personal safety and survival, and life saving exercise. We would want to strengthen the capacities of our rescue teams in the ARMM,” said Angot.

Accordingly, participants will undergo level up swimming, lifesaving, group survival, and water evolution. Angot said the rescue teams are the frontliners who often encounter risks and hazards most especially during major disasters.

“These participants which are being taught on various rescue techniques that could be very useful in the course of their line of duty and in ensuring public safety will truly appreciate all their efforts and hard work as they go along and finish the whole duration of training,” said Angot.

Meanwhile, Angot has reiterated the need to have more fully trained volunteers in every community and even cited the autonomous region is now considered a natural disaster prone area where it is often visited by disasters such as typhoons every year, and there really is a need to empower every citizen with life-saving skills.

“This endeavour is also part of strengthening our approach on Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management,” Angot said. (GILMHAR A. LAO-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM signs MoA for Apat Dapat Program implementation.

ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia, Regional Vice-Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr. and Executive Director Engr. Baintan Amapatuan of RPDO-ARMM led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the mayors of Talipao, Pandami and Parang in Sulu province on Monday, July 18 at the ORG Compound in Cotabato City.

Provided in the MOA is the implementation of the Apat Dapat Program.

The program will supplement the ongoing poverty alleviation initiatives both of the regional and national government. It will follow the ‘four for the poor formula,’ which zeroes in on the four most basic needs of a family, namely food, water, light, and shelter. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose’)

New set of ARMM cabinet member

ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia formally introduced the new set of ARMM cabinet members before the region's employees during the flag ceremony on Monday, July 18, 2016.

Officials composing the Hataman administration are:

Vice Governor and concurrent Social Welfare and Development Secretary- Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr.

Chief of Staff -Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr.

Bureau of Public Information (BPI) Executive Director - Amir Mawallil

Newly appointed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary - Atty. Noor Hafizullah Abdullah

New Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary - Atty. Anwar Malang

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary - Amihilda Sangcopan

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary - Engr. Don Mustapha Loong

Department of Labor and Employment Secretary - Muslimin Jakilan

Education Secretary - Dr. John Magno

Health Secretary - Dr. Kadil Sinolinding

Agriculture Secretary - Alexander Alonto

REZA and Polloc Free Port Manager - Hexsan Mabang

PAMANA Program Manager - Engr. Dong Anayatin

Planning and Development Office Executive Director - Engr. Baintan Ampatuan

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director - Janice Musali

RDRRMO and ARMM-HEART OIC Director - Ramil Masukat.

The cabinet members will take their oath of office next week. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose’)

OCD-ARMM GEARS FOR “FLOOD/TSUNAMI DRILL” IN LANAO DEL SUR

Balabagan, LANAO DEL SUR- Around two hundred fifty (250) residents of the coastal barangay of Banago in this town, considered as tsunami prone area, are slated to participate on Saturday (July 23) in the conduct of “Community Flood/Tsunami Drill” sponsored by the Office of Civil Defense-ARMM.

In a brief orientation, 18 July 2016 held at Sitio Dapdap, OCD-ARMM Operations Section Chief Engr. Amier Ashan Aplal discussed the scenario with residents along with partners, Balabagan MDRRMC headed by Chairman and Mayor Edna V. Ogka-Benito, Barangay LGUs of Banago and Narra, PNP- Municipal Police Station- Balabagan, Bureau of Fire Protection-Balabagan, Department of Education-Balabagan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“In the drill scenario, this spot is going to suffer a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in which later on will generate tsunami along the coastal areas,” said Aplal.

Aplal said the activity seeks to strengthen the mechanism for coordination, as well as the interoperability of key players.

“We would want to intensify local communities’ preparedness and increase the commitment of local government units in building safe communities,” said Aplal.

Myrna J. Angot, OIC of the Office of Civil Defense-ARMM, said one of the objectives of the drill is to pursue “community resiliency” and to test the local government’s preparedness in responding to emergency situations.

“This is to prevent hazards from having such a devastating impact and that enhancing the resilience of the community in disasters like earthquake and tsunami is a responsibility of all authorities and stakeholders involved,” said Angot.

In a separate interview, PHIVOLCS Cotabato Station Head Engr. Rainier Amilbahar, said the drill is significant because it provides the locales the basics of what to do during calamities.

“The drill is aimed at increasing and ensuring the safety of the people during and after the incident, evacuation of the affected constituents, with focus on women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities,” said Amilbahar.

Accordingly, the coastlines in both Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao along the Moro Gulf, are dotted with vast communities that were struck by a deadly tsunami in the evening of August 17, 1976.

Meanwhile, Aplal said that in the case of flooding incident, one simple preparation to help you get ready is learning the flood warning system within your area and make sure you know how to properly evacuate.

“Be prepared to evacuate before water levels rise and potentially cut off evacuation routes,” said Aplal.

The “Community Flood/Tsunami Drill” is still part of the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month 2016 that carries the theme “"Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa".

(Gilmhar A. Lao-Mindanao Expose’ With Photo by: Jelly Datucali)

Turn-over ceremony of medical equipment

Oxfam Country Director Justin Morgan formally turned-over to ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia and Dayang Sangkula Jumaide of DOH-ARMM the P4-million worth of medical equipment.

Morgan said the medical equipment will help improve the delivery of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services to 14 cities and municipalities in the region.

The turn-over ceremony was held on Thursday, July 14 at the Bajau Hall, Office of the Regional Governor, inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose’)

38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week

THEME “Karapatan ng May kapansanan, Isakatuparan…Now Na! ”

The Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM) is one with the Regional Human Rights Commission and other agencies and organizations in promoting, protecting, and upholding the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

There are indeed many government documents that explicitly highlight the rights of PWDs. Yet, the challenge is the lack of observance, strengthening and implementation of laws for this sector especially in ARMM where the total number of PWD is 34,775 as per data from the National Statistics Office: 2010 Census of Population and Housing.

Hence, The Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in collaboration with the offices and agencies in ARMM like the ORG, DSWD, DOH, DILG, DTI, DEPED, DOLE, TESDA, BPI-ARMM, BCH, DOTC and CSC as well as with other organizations like the ICRC, UNHCR, BRAC, HOM, MOROPRENEUR, DAVAO JUBILLEE FOUNDATION and the GOLDEN HANDS CHARITY FOUNDATION will hold the launching of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week with the theme, “Karapatan ng May kapansanan, Isakatuparan…Now Na! ” on Thursday, 21st of July 2016 at SKCC, ORG Compound, Cotabato City.

The Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) and the Davao Jubilee Foundation will extend some medical services especially for PWDs. More so, international award-winning Islamic visual artist, Zohayma Montañer, will showcase her masterpieces. (Health Organization Mindanao – Mindanao Expose’)