Aiding the elderly

AIDING THE ELDERLY --- Some 1,500 indigent senior citizens receiving their quarterly pension from the City Government of Cotabato last November 10 to 11. With a budget of P9.1-M, each pensioner gets P1,500 per quarter. An addition of 1,000 have been listed and will receive their assistance in 2017. (COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Ascending children’s rights

ASCENDING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS --- The ARMM's Department of Social Welfare and Development launched the celebration of the 24th National Children's Month in the autonomous region last November 9 inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City. This years’ celebration carries the theme “Isulong: Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Lahat ng Bata!” which highlights children’s rights to education and encourages stakeholders to advocate inclusive learning opportunities for all children. Haroun Alrashid Lucman, ARMM vice governor and DSWD-ARMM secretary (seated 4^th from left), said the regional government is now focusing on making quality education accessible to every single child in the region to combat poverty, child exploitation, and abuse. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Crime rate in city down

CRIMINALITY rate in Cotabto City has tremendously decreased since the operation of the nightly “ronda” patrol led by City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

Newly installed Cotabato City Police Director Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia confirmed the toning down of the crime rate in the city.

In an interview, Valencia said that the Police Regional Office XII was amazed of the recent accomplishment of the City PNP to combat illegal drugs and criminalities.

“As compared with the situation in the previous months, there is dramatic decrease in terms of criminalities just for the months of October and November,” said S/Supt. Valencia.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi, who is known for her tough but sincere style of leadership has been implementing the PNP-LGU joint “ronda” operation that aims to eradicate illegal drugs and criminalities since she assumed her position as the city vice mayor since July this year.

Later, when she succeeded the late mayor  Japal Guiani, Jr.,  she activated the “ronda” patrols down to the “purok level.”

Recently, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi also expressed commitment to the MASA MASID program during its regional launching last November 3 at General Santos City.

The MASA MASID or Mamamayan Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Iligal naDroga is a program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that aims to encourage communities to take a pro-active stance in the government’s fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminalities.

Through the MASA MASID program, citizens and other concerned sectors can help the government in its campaign to eradicate crimes and illegal drugs in the country.

MASA MASID has four main thrusts which are information and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drug-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revival of the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wish to be partners for change. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Cotabato City LGU to hike allowance of day care workers

COTABATO CITY ---- As part of the commitment to defend the children's right to proper care and nutrition and to protect them from neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions detrimental to development, the city government of Cotabato has prepared a budget for the Day Care Services program, specifically in upgrading the allowances of its day care workers.

During her recent “State of the Children Report” held at the People’s Palace, Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said that for the Day Care services program alone, the city government has allocated an amount of P1.9 million.

“Aside from that, we also allocated at least P1.7 million for the honoraria of our day care workers from the 37 barangays,” said the mayor.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi has urged Sangguniang Panlungsod to fast track the increase of the allowances of day care workers, hopefully by next year.

“To date, our day care centers have a whooping 3,011 enrolees coming from the 37 barangays,” she cited.

The lady mayor also expressed gratitude to the day care workers for their undying selflessness, sacrifices, and dedication in nurturing the children at their very young age. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

New DOTC-ARMM head assures transformation

SERVICE BUILDING --- Newly installed DOTC-ARMM Secretary Datu Ombra S. Sinsuat, Jr. delivering his message during a gathering last November 9 at the lobby of the agency office. Seated at left is the guest of honour and speaker, ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa M. Alamia. (GILMHAR A. LAO)

COTABATO CITY --- The new leadership of the Department of Transportation and Communication in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOTC-ARMM) assured to implement sweeping transformation of the agency, which is known for its decade-old sickening management struggle.

Following his confirmation by the Commission on Appointment of the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly   last November 9, newly installed DOTC-ARMM Secretary Datu Ombra S. Sinsuat, Jr. said that upon the directive of Regional Governor Mujiv. S Hataman, he is bound to improve public service as well as restore the reputation of the agency perceived to have grown more tarnished through the years.

Sinsuat said in a press conference on Thursday last week that as head of the department, he is ready to implement the difficult reforms in the coming months.

“With the guidance of our regional governor, I am more than ready with the challenge of reforming the department. Let us hope for the best for the benefit and welfare of our constituents in the ARMM,” said Sinsuat.

ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa M. Alamia, who was the guest of honor and speaker in the gathering, said Sinsuat has the full support of the autonomous regional government.

“The DOTC-ARMM shall have their new office to be constructed early next year and will also include the attached offices under the agency,” said Atty. Alamia.

Abldelnazir Mohammad Isa, Director III of the DOTC-ARMM, expressed his wish that the new management shall be able to steer the department towards a new horizon away from despair that has become the hallmark of most employees in the office.

“We know that the tasks ahead of our regional secretary are mind breaking. But as what we had manifested from before up to now, our support for him is crucial,” said Mohammad Isa.

Sinsuat is the eldest son of incumbent Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao Mayor Datu Ombra Q. Sinsuat, Sr. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Guiani-Sayadi delivers 1st SOCA

Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi delivered her “State of the City Address” last November 09, 2016 held at the function hall of South Seas Mall. Guiani-Sayadi cited the triumphs and accomplishment of the city government in the past months specifically on infrastructure, trade, and her fight against illegal drugs. (GILMHAR A. LAO)

COTABATO City’s first lady mayor, by succession, cited various accomplishments of the local government for Calendar Year 2016, which she described as another milestone.

“As President Rodrigo Duterte said, change is coming. I say that great changes will be coming to Cotabato City,” Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi  spoke before a crowd during her first State of the City Address (SOCA) delivered last November 9 at the Function Room of the South Seas Mall, 47 days since she assumed the mayoralty post following the untimely demise of her brother, the late mayor Japal Guiani, Jr.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi stressed that there are various challenges and problems that the city is now facing, from the problem of law and order to traffic congestion, to health and sanitation, and  to livelihood and employment, among others.

“During my short stint as your city vice mayor then, I could say that I have started something that would facilitate change in our city. Among these are the deliberations for the amendment of our Market Code, our Local Revenue Code, and the Traffic Code,” she said.

Guiani-Sayadi said she is confident that the present leadership and membership of the Sangguniang Panlungsod could fast-track the finalization of these amendments so that the economic development agenda of the executive branch could also speed up.

In just 47 days, she said the city government has already a bucket-full of accomplishments.

“First in our long list of accomplishments is the establishment and operationalization of the Cotabato City Visitor’s Information Center located at the old City Hall. This was done in less than a month. This is just the first phase of our plan to rehabilitate and refurbish our old City Hall building in order to preserve and enhance its historical and tourism value,” she said.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi added that the constituents are aware of the city’s tourism potentials, citing the geographical location where Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan landed to spread the Islamic faith in this part of the country.

“Our city is also the cradle of the Sultanate of Maguindanao and the gateway to Central Mindanao. Thus, our tourism potential is great,” she said.

She pointed out that the initial achievements could not have been realized if not for the improved revenue collection.

“At the close of the third quarter this year, our city has already posted a total current operating income of P632,637,099.51 or an increase of 17 percent as compared to the same period last year. Our total current operating expenditure as of the end the third quarter this year is P439,482,405.31 or a decrease of 7.5-percent as compared to the same period last year. As a result, our city has a net operating income of P193,154,624.20 as of the end of the third quarter,” she said.

Mayor Guiani-Sayad said when she first joined the city government as city administrator, the Internal Revenue Allotment was a meager P327-million, just  enough to support the administrative requirements of the city government. Now, the annual IRA is P672 million or an increase of 210-percent in just six years.

“Because of this, we now have 49 ongoing infrastructure projects in the city which are all scheduled to be completed on or before the end of the year. All of these are being undertaken by this administration, under the City Engineering Office. Among these are four farm-to-market roads located at Barangay Tamontaka 3, Tamontaka 4, Tamontaka 5, and Kalanganan 2,” she revealed.

Furthermore, to provide potable water to the constituents, the city government is now implementing the potable water supply expansion project under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat or Salintubig Program of the national government.

She said a sizeable portion of the water project cost is funded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The project implementation is being undertaken with the technical support and cooperation of the Metro Cotabato Water District.

“Beneficiaries of these projects are residents along East Diversion Road and Talainged Subdivision of Barangay Tamontaka Mother and Tamontaka 1; Virgo Urban Poor Subdivision in Barangay Rosary Heights 9; Zenaida Subdivision and Purok Taliltay at Barangay Rosary Heights 8; and Peñafrancia and Federville Subdivisions at Barangay Rosary Heights 11,” she said.

Aside from these major infrastructure projects, the mayor said that in a matter of days they will be completing the construction of the Women Crisis Center and the Vocation Training Resource Center for Persons with Disability. In addition, senior citizens of Cotabato City will soon be having their own building.

On the issue of health, the city government is looking at some long range programs for its promotion and service delivery.

“One of this is the establishment of a city hospital. This is in response to many health services issues. Another is the establishment of nutrition centers in every clustered barangay health centers. This will also serve as a facility for promoting nutrition among children and as emergency feeding centers during calamities and disasters,” she said.

The city LGU will have a Septage Processing Plant to be undertaken jointly with the Metro Cotabato Water District with the technical support provided by the United States Agency for International Development.

“This septage facility is the first project in Cotabato City that is self liquidating and can benefit both parties that are spending for its establishment. It will serve as a treatment plant of all the wastes that we can declog from the city’s septic tanks. This is one of the city government’s ways of protecting our environment from being polluted by the harmful chemicals from waste materials,” she said.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said that just last month, aside from a number of fast-food establishments, beauty clinics and department stores, a new mall have opened.

“These new business establishments have also resulted to job generation and employment of some 1,300 of our residents. The economic growth we are seeing and experiencing now is, I would say, just the tip of the iceberg. In the months to come, more investors will be coming in. More tourists will be visiting the city,” she said.

When assuming as mayor, she reiterated her commitment to further intensify the campaign against all forms of criminalities in Cotabato City.

“As a result, we now have zero incidence of motorcycle theft; zero incidence of snatching; zero incidence of hold-up; zero incidence of bukas-kotse; and, zero incidence of agaw cellphone. This is aside from zero incidents of minors caught violating the curfew for minors. It was only during the first 10 days of June that minors were caught violating the curfew. Since then, no more minors are out of their homes by 10 o’clock in the evening. This was successfully done with the help of our Christian and Muslim religious leaders and the neighborhood organizations,” she said.

She added that records from the Cotabato City Police Office show a very remarkable decrease in crime incidents from the period July 1 to November 6 this year.

“There is a 21.28 percent decrease in the occurrence of shooting incidents as compared to the same period last year. On the so-called
Eight Focus Crimes, there was also a decrease of 15.18 percent as compared to the same period last year. These so-called Focus Crimes are murder, homicide, robbery, theft, carnapping, motorcycle theft, physical injury, and rape. Crimes against persons also decreased by 27.21 percent. From a total of 136 for the same period last year to 99 this year. Of the 99, sixty-eight are physical injuries,” she said.

On the campaign against illegal drugs, the mayor said nearly P1-million worth of prohibited drugs were confiscated since July 1, 2016 when dozens of drug pushers and traffickers were either arrested or neutralized, and hundreds of drug users have voluntarily surrendered to the police.

“This is due to the joint PNP-LGU ronda patrols that we are conducting every night. As you may have seen on my personal Facebook page, i usually join our city police in going around the city,” she said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Mayor Guiani Sayadi: Children are the nation’s power house

 UPLIFTING THE YOUTH SECTOR --- City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (right holding a tarpaulin) poses with a group of children after delivering her “State of the Children Report” at the lobby of the People’s Palace last November 7. (Gilmhar A. Lao)

 COTABATO CITY --- “The young ones of today will be adults of tomorrow, so it becomes mandatory for every nation and society to nurture a strong, healthy, and intellectual youth.”

Such was the statement of Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi during her State of the Children Report before hundreds of school children, youths, city government officials, law enforcers, and guests on occasion of the  Children’s Month celebration held at the People’s Palace last November 7.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said it is the responsibility of adults to lead the youths in “good direction.”

“The youths of the nation are its power house. They have boundless course of energy, power, and enthusiasm and they form part in the destiny of a nation,” said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi.

“In the city, we adults are outnumbered by the figure of the little ones, particularly the school children, so it is a must to take good care of them and they will become responsible adults in the future,” said further said.

Mayor Guani-Sayadi said that for fiscal year 2016, the city government appropriated a quarter of its Annual Investment and Development Program budget for the welfare of the children alone.

“We are here to lead you as you go through proper direction. Let us help each other in nation building,” she said.

Since she assumed office after the death of the late mayor Japal Guiani, Jr. last September 22,  Guiani-Sayadi leads the  joint LGU-PNP nightly “Ronda Patrol” to run after the suspected persons involved in illegal trade and other forms of criminality such as carnapping, theft, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms, among others.

“For instance, criminality as shown by PNP records has lessened. Our population also went up due to our strengthened fight against all forms of criminalities and illegal drugs. And because of the trust and confidence in our governance, people from nearby areas have finally decided to settle down here, the reason of dramatic increase in terms of our population,” said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi.

The mayor expressed her gladness in informing everyone that due to the improved condition of peace and order, there is growing number of companies  expressing their interest to invest in Cotabato City.

“As my brother told me once, the late mayor “Jojo” Guiani, Jr., the future belongs to our children and nobody shall benefit our present endeavours but them. The effective and efficient program of the city government on the welfare of the children had won for it the 2nd Most Child-Friendly Award in the country under the Independent Component City category,” she said.

Further, as commitment to uphold the rights of women and children, the city government has strengthened the inter-agency coordination to combat trafficking and violence against women and children.

“We maintain a children and women center situated at the Tantawan Park,” she said.

Also, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi has affirmed her strengthened battle against illegal drugs. “Our President has started it all and we are doing the same intense campaign here in the city.” (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)