PEOPLE'S DAY

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) conducted People’s Day inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City , 21 September 2016.

Among the free services that were provided to the public were medical and dental check-up, bloodletting activity, Security Paper (SECPA) of birth and marriage processing, mobile passport services, NBI clearance registration, and haircuts.

The activity was spearheaded by the different line agencies of ARMM with the support of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division, Red Cross (Cotabato Chapter) and Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC). (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ANOTHER BRANCH OF PUREGOLD OPENS IN COTABATO CITY!

PureGold, one of the most competitive grocery stores in the country due to the cheap prices of products, has opened another branch in Cotabato City.

This branch is located at the Fiesta Mall, along Sinsuat Avenue, just across the People's Palace.

Cotabato City Acting Mayor VM Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi graces the occasion ang leads the ribbon cutting ceremony during the formal opening program of the establishment. (CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTBAATO/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS).

President Naprey Almario of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP):

Naprey Almario had polio at the age of eight and it changed his life completely, he said. It pushed him to work hard and achieve more, but it wasn't until he got over what he calls his "denial stage" that he was able to live life to the fullest.

Almario reminded his fellow PWDs to recognize their disability and to emphasize the possibilities in the process. He emphasized the importance of joining a group. "Joining a group is great because then you have someone to talk to, people who have the same issues and concerns," he said.
Almario is currently the president of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP).

The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) launched its Health and Wellness Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the ARMM on Monday, September 19, at the Al Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City.

The event is geared towards sustaining the programs that make basic social services and opportunities accessible for PWDs and strengthening collaboration among partners and stakeholders in the PWD sector.

Representatives from all the ARMM provinces were also present during the event. Among the members of the panel present during the open forum were Mayor Ibrahim Ibay of Parang, Maguindanao; Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA); and President Naprey Almario of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP).

An audio visual presentation featuring the "grateful voices of PWDs" who have been beneficiaries of the department's programs was also shown during the program. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

OCD-ARMM PARTICIPATES IN "BAYANIHAN PARA SA KALIKASAN"

Isabela City, BASILAN - The Office of Civil Defense-ARMM has actively participated on Saturday, 17 September 2016 during the conduct of tree planting activity in Barangay Masola this city, dubbed as “Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan."

An initiative of the provincial government of Basilan led by Governor Jim Hataman Salliman, at least four thousand (4,000) various types of tree seedlings have been planted near the Kumalarang River.

Accordingly, the new seedlings were planted as replacement to the previous fallen trees along the Spillway of said barangay.

Apart from the Civil Defense, the tree planting activity was also participated in by hundreds of partners from various government line agencies and other private groups, ARMM HEART, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Basilan, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Isabela, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and the Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc.

Rene Mabilog, OCD-ARMM Focal Person for Basilan, said it is important to plant trees because ever since, the trees have furnished us with the two of life's essentials, oxygen and food.

“This is actually part of our Disaster Prevention and Mitigation campaign. Planting trees is a must for us because it does not only remove harmful chemicals from our soil, but also help reduce the greenhouse effects leading to global warming,” said Mabilog.

Barangay Masola residents are expected to take care of the newly planted seedlings.

(GILMHAR A. LAO, Information Officer-OCD ARMM/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM LEADS TURNOVER OF FORMER ABU SAYYAF CAMP IN BASILAN

Isabela City (September 19, 2016) - Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao witnessed a turnover ceremony marking the restoration of government authority in a former Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) stronghold in Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan on Sunday morning, September 18.

The military overran the said ASG camp on 12 August as part of the government crackdown against the terror group.

Lt. Col. Ernest John Jadloc, battalion commander of the 74th Infantry Battalion (IB) said the camp was seized after a month of operations involving members of the 18th Infantry Battalion, 64th Infantry Battalion, Scout Rangers, and Special Forces.

The operations are also meant to bring back government authority and social services in areas overran by the said terror group.

Governor Hataman called for unity in achieving long lasting peace as he spoke to hundreds of residents present in the event.

"It's about time for this place (Barangay Baguindan) to receive various programs and projects from the government," Hataman said as he vowed to pour projects in conflict-affected areas, especially Barangay Baguindan.

"Ang Baguindan ay para sa Baguindan. Nandito kami para protektahan ang mga tao dito (Baguindan is for Baguindan. We are here to protect the people)," he added.

Mayor Arcam Istarul of Tipo-Tipo town expressed his gratitude to the government and security forces who neutralized the lawless elements in their area.

"We will help the people of Baguindan through livelihood projects," Istarul said.

Baguindan's barangay chief Bisahari Hantian said in Yakan, the local language, "Mabayah kami sanyang lahat kami (We want our place to be a peaceful one)."

Saida Abubakar, 57, a resident of the barangay, said that they are glad that the government never forgot them throughout the ordeal.

"Sana po ito na talaga ang umpisa ng pagbangon ng lugar namin. Sapat na po ang mahigit 40 years na pauli-ulit kaming nag-eevacuate (We really hope this is the start of our community's recovery. Forty years of constant evacuation is enough)," Abubakar added.

After the ceremony, the ARMM government conducted a People's Day to provide free services such as medical consultation and check-ups, along with the distribution of hygiene kits.

Present during the event were ARMM Regional Vice-Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., Anak Mindanao partylist representative Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, and other ARMM officials.

The region's humanitarian emergency action response team (ARMM-HEART) provided also relief packs to 1,574 families in Barangay Baguindan and Barangay Silangkum and in Al-Barka town.

(BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION/MINDANAO EXPOSE)

"National Clean Up Day", successful in Cotabato City.

COTABATO CITY September 17---Dozens of city government officials and employees, including the barangay officials, tidy their designated areas in participation to the simultaneous conduct of the National Clean Up Day.

City streets, national highways, and the peripheries of several establishments here in Cotabato City were sweeped by the men and women of the government. Even some private individuals joined in the clean up.

This Linis Bayan is a regular activity of the city government through the initiative of City Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr. to set an example to our fellow Cotabateños to make sure their surroundings are always clean and orderly. (HALIMA K. SATOL-IBRAHIM/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)