Madalum discloses 2016 achievements

Mayor Soraida Mindalano-Sarangani

MARAWI CITY --- The local government unit of Madalum in Lanao del Sur is determined to push its “pro-poor” development agenda and social services with the disclosure of the municipal government’s accomplishments for Calendar Year 2016.

Mayor Soraida Mindalano-Sarangani, who is also a Baelabi of MINSUPALA (Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan), said the local government has accomplished several projects ranging from infrastructures to socio-economic programs.

Mindalano-Sarangani said a new municipal hall building has been constructed and is now occupied by the municipal employees.

“The new town hall has a budget allocation of P5-M and was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” she said.

In addition, at least 10 kilometers of provincial and barangay road network have been constructed through the initiative of the local government with funding from the DPWH in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“Our populace suffered from the previous poor condition of the roads. Their farm products could not be easily transported and we are happy with this newest accomplishment,” she said.

Mindalano-Sarangani added that Madalum is considered one of the most peaceful and developed municipalities in Lanao del Sur.

“We have settled conflicts and conducted seminars on both religious and socio-cultural dimensions. In fact, we are one of the few passers of the Seal of Good Housekeeping,” she said.

Further, she said that livelihood programs are top priorities.

“We have extended aid to cooperatives wherein some of our women are engaged in embroidery. There are specific programs, too, for our fishermen. Just recently, we’ve given 16 fishing boats or bangka to our fisher-folks,” she said.

Since Madalum’s landscape is agricultural, rice and corn production are popular. Other crops produced include ginger, onion, and cassava.

“At least 40 percent of our residents are engaged in farming. The rest are in varied businesses,” she pointed out.

Meanwhile, Municipal Administrator Usman T. Sarangani, Sr. has revealed that the town is a drug-free community following intensification of their campaign against the menace. “It’s a collaborative effort between our political and religious leaders. Our barangay chairmen play a major role in safeguarding the 37 barangays.”

Sarangani added that the town is generally peaceful because of the unity among the populace and barangay officials in partnership with the Philippine National Police and  Philippine Army.

Madalum is a third class municipality. It is politically subdivided into 37 barangays namely, Abaga, Bago a Ingud, Basak, Bato, Bubong, Kormatan, Dandamun, Diampaca, Dibarosan, Dilausan, Gadongan, Gurain, Cabasaran, Cadayonan, Liangan I, Lilitun, Linao, Linuk, Madaya, Pagayawan, Poblacion, Pokilan, Punud, Raya, Riray, Sabanding, Salongabanding, Sugod, Tamporong, Tongantongan, Udangun, Liangan, Lumbac, Paridi-Kalimodan, Racotan, Bacayawan, PadianTorogan I, and SogodKoloy. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)