“Maliwanag ang Pasko” launched

Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi leads on November 16, 2016 the launching of “Adopt a tree and light a tree” program of the city tourism office entitled "Maliwanag Ang PaskoSa Cotabato" held at the city plaza. Also in attendance were Vice Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama, city councilors, department heads, division chiefs, civil society organizations, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Office, partner line agencies, business groups, and employees of the city government. (COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city launched last November 16 the “Adopt a Tree, Light a Tree" program, dubbed as  “Maliwanag ang Pasko saa Cotabato,” which marks the beginning of the celebration of the festive month of December.

During the launching program held at the city plaza, the local government’s partners from the line-agencies and the private sector adopted a tree adorned with lights and other décor, making the place festive, especially during night time.

In her message, City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said the program is one of the city government’s ways of celebrating the festive month of December at a time when Shariff Kabunsuan Festival and the Christmas season are being celebrated.

“It shows that Cotabateños are truly united. Here in Cotabato City, the Christmas season is recognized as one of our biggest celebrations. It is being openly celebrated by our Christians and is being highly respected by Muslims,” she said.

“Christmas time is significant not only among our Christian brethren. It is the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is also the Prophet Isha of the Muslims,” said Guiani-Sayadi

Other personalities present during the launching activity included local government officials led by Vice Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama together with the city council members, department heads, division chiefs, civil society organizations, representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, partner line-agencies, business groups, and employees of the city government. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

RLA-ARMM confirms appointment of Kedtag as DENR reg’l secretary

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGER --- Forester Kahal Kedtag sworn into office before members of the 9^th Regional Legislative Assembly following his confirmation as cabinet secretary of the DENR-ARMM. (PHOTO COURTESY OF DENR-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RLA-ARMM) confirmed last November 16 the appointment of Forester Kahal Kedtag as regional secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In a press conference following his confirmation, Kedtag said that as per directive of the national and regional leadership, the DENR-ARMM shall strengthen its functions of governing and supervising the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the natural resources in the autonomous region.

“As part of our continuous commitment, we have requested the mining companies operating in the region to submit a rehabilitation plan as part of their social responsibility,” he said.

During a previous interview, Kedtag announced that his office will sue local government units (LGUs) in the region that do not comply with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Kedtag said LGUs in the region that do not implement the provisions of RA 9003 will be charged administratively based on Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

He appealed to the LGUs to comply with the law, adding: “There is need to impose the law.”

“Our office shall coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to compel LGUs to implement the provisions of RA 9003. We also encourage the LGUs to provide and submit their comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as mandated by RA 9003,” said Kedtag.

Secretary Kedtag said the law defines the policy framework, institutional mechanisms, and mandate for LGUs to achieve a 25 percent waste reduction target through an integrated SWMP based on the 3Rs – reduce, re-use, and recycle.

He said waste mismanagement has serious environmental effects, hence, the rationale behind the passage of RA 9003.

“The department can provide technical assistance to LGUs in the formulation and implementation of their SWMPs,” he said.

Secretary Kedtag expressed his gratitude to members of the RLA for the confirmation of his appointment as cabinet secretary in the autonomous region. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM Master Chef Competition

COOKING SKILLS of selected ARMM employees were put to the test as several authentic Moro food of the region's five provinces were judged during the second season of the ARMM Master Chef Competition last November 17 at the ARMM administrative seat here in Cotabato City. The Master Chef title was awarded to Sittie Jehanne Mutin representing the Lanao del Sur province while the Sous Chef title was awarded to Jarratul Radjid from the province of Sulu.  Master Chef Mutin cooked beef balls in randang sauce,  piaruna udang, and tapay with mango as appetizer, main dish, and dessert respectively. The distinct taste of her selections made them the best among other four entries. The Master Chef competition was part of the 27th Pakaradjaan sa ARMM. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM on its 27th year

COTABATO CITY --- Ethnic groupings in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are set to showcase their diverse culture, traditions, and way of life as the region marks its 27th founding anniversary this month.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman urged all sectors to take part in the celebration, saying: "The Moro here look forward to more years of pride and success.”

He said this year's celebration highlights the 27 years of history, achievements, and progress of the autonomous region.

The creation of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The ARMM was established in 1989 by virtue of Republic Act 6734 and was originally composed of the provinces of Sulu, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Tawi-tawi.

The province of Basilan and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan became part of the region following the expansion of  the ARMM’s powers and geographical composition under a new organic act, Republic Act 9054, which was the result of the Final Peace Agreement between the national government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

According to the official website of the ARMM, “the history of the region can only be understood in the context of how the Bangsamoro people continuously struggle for self-rule and self-determination.”

As part of the celebration, the regional government has lined up several activities this month and in December.

Among them are the food festival featuring the cuisines of the different major Moro tribes in the ARMM,  film showing, cooking showdown, sports festival, search for the ARMM’s Rajah and Ranee, financial literacy forum, cultural presentation, regional governors' peacetivity, People's Day, week of peace, local government unit's summit, and Gabi ng Parangal.

Tourism Secretary Ayesha Mangudadatu-Dilangalen said the celebration highlights the rich culture of the Moro people as well as the variety of local products from the different ARMM provinces.

"It's a great opportunity for tourists to discover the rich culture of the region," Secretary Dilangalen said.

The different regional line-agencies will also provide and deliver free legal and medical services on the People's Day on November 19.

The 636th commemoration of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi last November 7 marked the official kick-off of the anniversary celebration. It will culminate on December 19, during the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, with a fluvial procession at the Rio Grande de Mindanao in Cotabato City.

In 2015, the ARMM opted to mark the region’s anniversary with a muted celebration in the wake of a wave of terror attacks in different parts of the world that claimed the lives of hundreds. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Kabuntalan schools ready for evaluation

COTABATO CITY --- The public elementary and junior and senior high schools in the municipality of Kabuntalan are now ready for the upcoming evaluation of the Department of Education’s (DepED) Maguindanao District in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mally B. Lauban, school principal of Kabuntalan National High School, said the DepED is slated to conduct an evaluation of selected schoolds in the town on December 7, 2016.

“This is part of strengthening the advocacy of the department to ensure that schools are providing quality education for the students and we are ready for that,” she said.

Lauban said that at present, Kabuntalan has eight public elementary school, one junior high school, and one  senior high school.

“Currently we have more than 800 enrollees in both junior and senior high schools,” said Lauban.

Salaban Diocolano, municipal mayor of Kabuntalan, said the local government is supporting the education sector with the provision of school volunteers funded by the local government unit.

“We have 38 school teacher vounteers for public elementary schools, six for junior high school, and two for senior high schools. These volunteers are paid by the LGU of Kabuntalan,” said Diocolano.

Meanwhile, the DepED-ARMM leadership said in a previous interview that it is bound to upgrade the condition of various elementary and secondary public schools from all over the region.

DepED-ARMM Secretary Dr. John Magno said they have trained school officials on proper classroom construction management.

“They have to learn even the basic concepts of construction and make familiar with various building designs as well as identify quality construction materials. They have to learn these skills so they could be to help in monitoring the construction of classrooms in their respective schools,” said Magno.

He said the training of school officials in classroom construction management is one of their strategies for the safety of its end-users, the children.

Magno said that by year 2017, public elementary and secondary schools from across the autonomous region shall be entitled to the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

“Schools shall soon receive their monthly MOOE to further sustain expenses for utilities such as electric and water bills, procurement of school supplies, salaries for janitors and security personnel, and cover other expenditures,” he said.

Accordingly, the MOOE could be used in the procurement of school supplies needed in classroom teaching, school training activities, utilities and communications expenses, graduation rite expenses, and minor school repairs.

To date, there are at least 2,150 public elementary schools, and 304 secondary schools in the ARMM. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)