Pagalungan government declares state of calamity

DISASTER RESPONSE --- The MDRRMC of Pagalungan led by Chairman and Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod (center) led the relief operation for families affected by the recent flooding in the municipality. (ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao --- The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of this town passed a resolution last January 23 putting the entire town under the state of calamity following heavy rains spawned by low pressure area (LPA) and tail end of a cold front in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod said the move was due to torrential rains which immediately flooded most of the town’s barangays.

He said at least 39,760 residents from the 12 villages of Pagalungan have been affected since the other week as a result of the LPA. And PAGASA has warned anew of similar floodings and even landslides on the same affected areas after it spotted another LPA entering the path of Mindanao over the week-end.

“The flooding has affected the 12 barangays of Bagoenged, Buliok, Damalasak, Galakit, Inug-ug, Kalbugan, Kilangan, Kudal, Layog, Linandangan, Poblacion, and Dalgan,” said Mamasabulod.

Mamasabulod said the municipal government has reached and served  the families from Barangay Bagoinged, Kudal, Inug-ug, Poblacion, and Damalasak.

“The remaining affected residents shall also be served. We provided each family with six kilos of rice, sardines, sugar, coffee, and noodles,” said Mamasabulod.

Last January 23, the provincial government of Maguindanao conducted a  relief and medical mission as it  dispatched four truckloads of relief packages for the flood victims.

While flood waters have gone down in the affected barangays, residents have to deal with the thick mud brought by flood-waters.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman together with the Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team also distributed relief items in the town. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Shariff Aguak acquires heavy construction units

PROJECT BOOSTER --- Shariff Aguak Marop B. Ampatuan (inset) shows the five units of dump trucks, part of the fleet of newly acquired heavy equipments purchased by the municipal government for the various development programs of the locality. (Shariff Aguak Municipal Government - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao --- Eleven new heavy equipments have recently been purchased by this municipal government under the leadership of Mayor Marop Batabol Ampatuan.

Ampatuan said the acquired equipments will be used for road maintenance, road construction, concreting, waste disposal, and other construction projects of the municipal government.

“The heavy equipments include five units of dump trucks, one unit of backhoe (crawler type), one unit of motor grader, one unit of pay loader, one unit of backhoe loader, and one unit of garbage truck,” he disclosed.

Ampatuan said the arrival of the units shall by batch and the latest to arrive were the five units of dump trucks last January 19.

“This forms part of the heavy equipments loaned by the local government unit of Shariff Aguak with the Development Bank of the Philippines - Cotabato Branch from a supplier based in Davao City,” he said.

Mayor Ampatuan said the municipal government is elated with the arrival of the last batch of equipment directly ordered from China. 

“With these equipments, the various infrastructure projects of the town can now be fully realized and will surely boost the economic activities. It only proves that the municipality of Shariff Aguak has slowly transformed into a progressive town,” he said.

Ampatuan has also thanked the leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under Governor Mujiv S. Hataman and the provincial government of Maguindanao under the stewardship of the Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu.

“We reiterate our commitment to the people and we will do our utmost best to make this town a better place to live and be a haven of peace,” he said. (Gilmhar A. Lao & Anne B. Acosta - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

“Wounds be healed” after SAF 44 incident

MOVING ON --- Mamasapano Mayor Tahirodin Benzar A. Ampatuan hopes to heal all wounds after commemorating the second year of the Mamasapano Incident. (Anne B. Acosta - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- “Life goes on.” This was the statement of Mamasapano Mayor Tahirodin Benzar A. Ampatuan after commemorating last January 25 the second year of the so-called Mamasapano Incident that caused the loss of lives of 44  members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

Ampatuan said the Mamasapano Incident mey never be forgotten but he hopes all wounds could be healed in God’s perfect time, most especially on the part of the families of the slain ones.

“It has been two years since the tragic incident and we only hope for all wounded hearts to be completely healed,” he said.

Ampatuan expressed his gratitude to the government and other funding donor organizations on their support towards the development of Mamasapano, specifically in Barangay Tukanalipao, scene of the bloody skirmishes that also exacted tolls on some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, private armed groups,  and counts of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

“We are more than thankful for the bridge, road network, gymnasium, livelihood programs, and other infrastructure projects which poured in to our beloved municipality right after the incident,” he said.

Physical infrastructures and development projects poured into the municipality to lift up the spirit of the populace from depression and poverty and enjoin the constituents there to live and embrace the path of peace. Further, the development initiatives were also meant to transform the community as a zone of peace where people of different affiliations/persuasions can live in harmony in the absence of conflict and animosity.

On Wednesday last week, some protesters marched to the Ombudsman's office carrying a cross bearing the name of the slain police commandos.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to reopen the investigation of the Mamasapano clash with a fact-finding commission and supported Duterte's statement calling the Mamasapano clash a Central Intellgience Agency-directed operation.

“The investigating team should be truly independent and capable of producing credible results,” said Reyes.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel for the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, lambasted the decision of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to only file graft and usurpation of public functions charges against former PNP chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF director Getulio Napeñas, Jr. even if the VACC had earlier included them in the multiple homicide charges it filed against former President Benigno Aquino III.

“While the Ombudsman does not see Aquino guilty of graft and usurpation of public functions, the multiple homicide charge is a totally different ball game,” he said.

Accordingly, the SAF members were conducting the covert PNP-SAF operation Oplan Exodus aimed at neutralizing high-profile Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Abdul Bassit Usman when they were killed.

However, the clash ended with the tragic deaths of the 44 commandos on January 25, 2015, the biggest loss of government elite forces in Philippine history.A total of 67 people died in the Mamasapano clash. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DOH warns public on water-borne diseases

COTABATO CITY ---The Department of Health (DOH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has warned the public on the possible increase in cases of leptospirosis and other flood-borne diseases in flood-affected areas following recent heavy rains due to the effects of low pressure area (LPA) and tail end of a cold front.

DOH-ARMM Secretary Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. said they are closely monitoring situations from the ground for any rise in water-borne diseases, especially on   areas in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur hit by the recent floodings.

“Some of the water-borne diseases include leptospirosis and skin infection, among others,” he said.

Sinolinding explained that leptospirosis cannot just be treated at home or anywhere else.

Leptospirosis is a deadly disease and is caused by exposing wounds to water contaminated with rat's urine. People who walk barefooted and waddle through floodwater may be prone to this, he said.

“We are encouraging those who have been exposed to flood and manifesting symptoms of the infection to immediately seek medical treatment. For instance, a person infected with leptospirosis suffers from body malaise, eye redness, yellowish skin, and tea-colored urine,” he said.

Sinolinding has urged the victims to immediately seek appropriate medical treatment because the infection can lead to renal failure and eventual death.

“For us to avoid leptospirosis and other flood-borne diseases, we advise our populace to avoid walking in the flood or use boots for protection,” he said.

Sinolinding has also urged the public to dispose of their garbage properly because trash in flooded areas could somehow trigger skin diseases and other potentially fatal infection. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

FOR BETTER SERVICE

FOR BETTER SERVICE --- The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company visited the office of City Vice Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama (center) last January 26 with the promise to maximize its services for the benefit of PLDT clients. PLDT Head Melvin O. Lacuna (2^nd from right) said that they have been receiving complaints regarding service interruptions and slow internet connection that prompted the company to conduct further study aimed at improving its services for better and faster internet access.

"I would like to thank PLDT for considering the concerns of our constituents and its effort to further improve their services for the benefit of the users," said Vice Mayor Dumama. (Cotabato City Government - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM embarks on BRIDGe

COTABATO CITY --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is embarking on a project that aims at facilitating the development of Bangsamoro-specific business investment standards and protocols. The project will empower both the communities and businesses to engage in sustainable business enterprises.

Dubbed “Brokering Business Investments in the Bangsamoro to Achieve Inclusive Development and Growth” (BRIDGe), the project will be implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Hineleban Foundation in collaboration with the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI)-ARMM.

BRIDGe is funded by the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The formal partnership among the players was sealed last January 23 at the ARMM Manila Liaison Office in Makati City through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PBSP and ARMM Regional Government through the RBOI.

The memorandum cites the roles and areas of cooperation of each participant agency for the successful implementation of the project.

The PBSP recently conducted a Development Partners’ Meeting with the Program Advisory Committee to generate inputs on the formulation and finalization of the Business Sustainability Framework in the Bangsamoro and how to improve the project’s implementation.

Such framework seeks to define the role and behavior of corporations and partner communities that would make agri-business investments in the Bangsamoro sustainable and responsible.

Atty. Ishak V. Mastura, chairman and managing head of the RBOI, said part of the project outcome will strengthen the capacity of the RBOI to facilitate investments in the ARMM, help capacitate local communities to engage in business development, and promote businesses in the region among local and international investors.

“The project is very relevant and timely because this will prepare us, especially on the business aspect, in the possible transition from the present form of government to federalism, which is what the Duterte administration is now pushing in Congress,” Mastura said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman expressed his optimism about the project. “In line with the initiative of President Duterte to promote and encourage business investments from big businesses and tycoons to the ARMM, this project will enhance the capacity of our communities to receive those investments.” (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

RDRRMC, ARMM-HEART respond to flood aftermath

COTABATO CITY --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government led by Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, together with the Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART), provided Tuesday last week relief aids in two Maguindanao towns that have been severely flooded following heavy rains spawned by the low pressure area  and tail end of a cold front.

The relief team distributed rice, canned goods, blankets, and kitchen provisions to the families displaced by flooding.

Hadja PombaenKaron Kader, Assistant Secretary of the ARMM’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said some 205 barangays in the region have been affected by the weather disturbance.

“A total of 27,912 families or 139,560 individuals have been affected by the flooding in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur,” she relayed.

DSWD-Maguindanao reported 23 affected barangays in Maguindanao --- 12 in Pagalungan and 11 in Datu Montawal. Many of the affected families have moved and stayed beside the national highway cruising the two towns.

“We see the need to provide humanitarian aid to these affected families,” said Hataman.

In Lanao del Sur alone, the weather disturbance affected 177 barangays covering 10 municipalities --- Bubong, Ditsaan Ramain, Kapai, Maguing, Taraka, Masiu, Buadipuso Buntong, Tamparan, Poona Bayabao, and Lumba Bayabao.

Four damaged houses have been listed upon assessment and validation conducted by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council-ARMM along with the Office of Civil Defense-ARMM.  

Two houses in Barangay Bulit, Datu Montawal which are made of light materials were partially damaged due to strong water current. In Lanao del Sur one house, also made of light materials, was burned due to contact with electrical wirings soaked in flood water, and another house was totally damaged due to flood water current.

The DSWD-ARMM also augmented 3,220 pieces of blankets (malong), 1,610 pieces of hygiene kits, and 3,110 pieces of food packs to the affected families of Pagalungan and Datu Montawal.

Flood-affected municipalities in Lanao del Sur were also augmented with 3,170 food packs and 1,000 sacks of rice.

The OCD-ARMM distributed 100 pieces of temporary shelter (trapal) to the affected families of Barangay Tunggol in Datu Montawal and provided logistical support to the RDRMMC.

The local government of Pagalungan also served 500 families in Barangay Bagoinged. Food packs for Barangays Kudal and unserved families of Bagoinged, Damalasak, and other remaining barangays in Pagalungan were also set to be served as of this posting.

Other stakeholders that extended aid included TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation and SL Agri-tech where they gave 500 bags of rice which consisted of two kilos per bag. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Councilor Guiani III pushes law updating

On his first session as a member of the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday last week,   Councilor Japal G. Guiani, III  hinted to the City Council his plans on updating  legislations that are still being implemented and followed in Cotabato City up to this day “despite being crafted more than a decade ago.”

He said these outdated laws need to be amended or repealed in order to be more responsive to the present needs of the city.

One of these, he said,  is the Market Code of the city. Collection fees must be updated and new rules and regulations have to be imposed.  

Another outdated ordinance is the city's Traffic Code.

City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi , even before assuming the mayoralty post, has included in her legislative agenda the  amendment of the traffic laws in the city, considering that its population is getting bigger by the day.

Councilor Guiani emphasized that the necessary amendments would be responsive to the current needs of the city.

"We do not want to revert to or to be classified as a third class city. Thus, like all other leading cities in the country, we need to pass local ordinances that are more relevant to the needs of the changing times," Guiani said.

With the rapid development that Cotabato City is now experiencing, the City Council must be able to cope with the challenges and gear up towards enacting laws that will be conducive to the growth of the city's economy.

In his inaugural speech, he also enjoined the participation of all Cotabateños in the process of law making, stressing the virtue of democracy and urging all of Cotabato City's constituents to play an active role in the enactment of ordinances and other regulations.

He also reminded his fellow legislators of the need to conduct a series of consultations and public hearings before the passage of any ordinance that will affect the welfare of the public.

"It is our mandate as a legislator to engage in participative governance as enshrined under the Local Government Code," he said.

Being the only son of our late city mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr., Jayjay, as he is fondly called by his family and friends, has grown up looking up to his father and admiring his commitment to public service.

Though a novice in politics, he said he has been guided and mentored by the example that his father has shown “when it comes to caring for the welfare and upholding the rights of the people of Cotabato City. “ (HALIMA SATOL-IBRAHIM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

CENRO AFFAIRS

CENRO AFFAIRS --- Cotabato City's Sangguniang Panlungsod under presiding officer and Vice Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama (4^th from left) has confirmed the appointment of Engr. Crisanto B. Saavedra (center), the former Assistant General Services Officer of the LGU, as the new City Environment and Natural Resources Officer. As the CENRO, Engr. Saavedra will be managing the city's programs on solid waste, septage, and other environmental concerns. His office is temporarily located at the Office on General Services, People's Palace, Cotabato City. (COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

More to go for RLA this 2017 --- Ibay

Assemblyman Cahar P. Ibay

COTABATO CITY --- First District of Maguindanao Assemblyman Cahar P. Ibay is positive on the accomplishments of the 9th Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the calendar year 2016.

“Before the year 2016 ended, we were able to legislate two of the most important things in the autonomous region, the legislation of the local fund of the ARMM as well as the infrastructures or the Public Works Act. These are our major accomplishments. As we open another year, we are looking forward on what’s in store as we go along with the year-long journey for the Assembly this 2017,” he said.

Cahar P. Ibay, currently the assistant majority floor leader, also chairs three committees --- labor and human resource development, transportation and communication, natural resources and ecology.

Some of the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts he authored and co-authored included MMA Act No. 312 (An Act Dividing the Engineering District of the DPWH-ARMM in the Province of Maguindanao into First and Second Engineering District, and for Other Purposes); MMA Act No. 311 (An Act Instituting Scholarship Program and Establishing and Endowment Fund Thereof, Appropriating Funds Thereof and for Other Purposes); MMA Act No. 309 (An Act Dividing the Schools Division in the Province of Maguindanao into Division I and Division II, Delineating their Respective Areas of Jurisdiction, and for Other Purposes); and MMA Act No. 306 (An Act Appropriating Funds for the Operation of the Autonomous Government in Muslim Mindanao from January One Two Thousand and Fourteen to December Thirty One Two Thousand and Fourteen, and for Other Purposes).

Resolutions he authored and co-authored included: AR No. 597 (Resolution Directing the Department of Health-ARMM to Take Action to Operationalize the Iranon District Hospital); AR No. 577 (Resolution Expressing Condolence to the Victims of Bomb Explosion in Cotabato City on August 5, 2013); AR No. 584 (Resolution Expressing the Condolences of the Regional Assembly to the Chief of the Plenary Affairs Division of the RLA Secretariat on the Untimely Death of his Wife); AR No. 582 (Resolution Requesting the Commission on Elections to Hold a Special Election to Fill-up the Third Seat for the Second District of Maguindanao for RLA which was Left Vacant with the Death of the Late Hon. Tunggal M. Piang); AR No. 160 (Resolution Urging the Appropriate Offices in the RLD to Uphold all Necessary Legislative Data or Relevant Information in the Official Website of RLA-ARMM with the End View of Strengthening the Assembly’s Online Presence as Means of Enhancing Public Access of Information); and AR No. 159 (Resolution Supporting the Proposal of Polloc Free Port Administration for the Creation of Plantilla Positions to be Submitted at the Department of Budget and Management for their Consideration and Approval).

Ibay finished his course with a degree in Science major in Chemistry at Centro Escolar University.  He is now on second term as assemblyman of the 1st District of Maguindanao. (ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Dela Vega is new 6th ID commander

CHANGE OF COMMAND --- Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. (left), outgoing commander, welcomes Brig. Gen. Arnel Bernardino dela Vega as the new commanding general of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

CAMP SIONGCO, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao --- Brig. Gen Arnel Bernardino dela Vega is now the new commanding general of the The 6^th Infantry (Kampilan) Division based at Awang of this town.

Dela Vega replaces Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. who was designated by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to head the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).

In a simple turn-over of command ceremony last January 19 before the officers, Army personnel, local chief executives and local leaders, and guests held at the grandstand of the Kampilan Division, Dela Vega called on the active participation of the public in order to maintain peace and order stability within the area of responsibility.

“We cannot do this alone. We need the participation of everyone, most especially our local government units and the populace themselves. Let us work hand in hand in resolving the conflicts here in Mindanao,” he said.

Dela Vega is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, the country’s premier military institution. He was commissioned with the Philippine Army on March 22, 1985.

Throughout his entire military service, Dela Vega pursued various education and training programs that equipped him with the knowledge and skills that are essential in the performance of his duties.

Among his career courses is a Master’s Degree in Management Studies on Human Resource Management at the University of New South Wales  through the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra Australia in June 2005. He also completed the Command and General Staff Course as well as the Advance and Basic Infantry Courses at the Training and Doctrines Command of the Philippine Army much earlier during his career.

Dela Vega further endeavoured and underwent different specialization courses that made him more prepared to assume field duty assignments. He attended and qualified in the Special Forces Operations Course conducted by the Special Forces School, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), and Philippine Army in September 1988; and the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA in 1993. He is also a qualified skydiver, jumpmaster, and scuba diver.

Dela Vega climbed up the ladder of his military career holding different command and staff positions. From December 1999 to February 2002, he commanded the 1st Special Forces Battalion deployed in Southern Philippines. He was a  commander of both an infantry company in Southern Tagalog Region and a Special Forces Company based in the National Capital Region in 1988 and 1994, respectively.

Among the most significant staff positions he assumed include his designation as Chief of Staff of the Special Forces Regiment from 2008 to 2010, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, G8 of the Philippine Army until 2013, and as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense from November 2013 to May 2014.

Immediately thereafter, Dela Vega commanded the 603rd Brigade, 6th Infantry Division based in Central Mindanao before he assumed as the Assistant Division Commander of the same Division in December of 2015 and as chairman of the GPH- AHJAG of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He then took command of the Joint Task Force Sulu in April 2016 while at the same time posted as deputy commander of WesMinCom before he assumed his post as commandant of the AFPCGSC effective December 21, 2016.

Dela Vega also had the opportunity to serve on foreign deployments in at least two United Nations mission. From 2002 to 2003, he served as a member of the Philippine United Nations Guards Contingent in Iraq. In 2008, he was the contingent commander of the 11th Philippine Contingent serving for the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

He earned numerous awards: the Distinguished Service Star, Gold Cross Medals, Bronze Cross Medals, and numerous Military Merit and Commendation Medals.

He is married to Divina “Debbie” Dela Vega and they are blessed with four sibs: John Kevin, Keith Dianne, Kim Ellaine, Karel Denise, and Karen Eunice.

Assuming his new post as the new WesMinCom commander, Galvez, who stayed with the 6^th ID for barely months, said he will involve local leaders and other non-government groups in the fight against terrorism. “We are going to intensify our operations against the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group.”

Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda, commanding general of the Philippine Army was the guest of honour and speaker in the turn-over rites.

Miranda commended the efforts of the Philippine Army in tearing down illegal activities and terrorism in this part of the county.

The 6th ID was established on October 24, 1987 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines with Brig. General Gonzalo H. Siongco as the first commanding general assigned in its headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Popularly known as the Kampilan Division, the 6th ID is one of the Philippine Army's infantry units in Central Mindanao. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM info chief now heads OBYA

Director Amir Mawallil

Youth advocate, journalist, and erstwhile executive director of the Bureau of Public Information of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Amir Mawallil, is the new head of the Office of Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA).

Mawallil steps into the shoes of Salic Sharief, Jr. after the former's appointment was signed by Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman on January 12, 2016.

Hataman based his choice on Mawallil's advocacies of youth awareness, vis a vis the numerous issues that Moro youths need to deal with.

Hataman expects the new OBYA executive director to take the lead towards empowering the youths at all levels. It is time that the Bangsamoro youths take an active role in their communities, engaging their leaders to bring youth awareness to the fore.

“The youth is constantly faced with a lot of challenges, especially here in the ARMM where poverty has proven to be a pervasive problem,” Mawallil said.

“Poverty makes our youthS vulnerable, especially with the rise of extremism that preys on the youths’ idealism and hope,” he said. Add to that the clear and present danger of terrorism now targeting the youthS, making Mawallil's job cut out for him.

Mawallil believes that the youthS should go beyond the education that they get from schools, and that opportunities should be provided for this, alongside the regional government's efforts to make basic social services available to all.

“We have been working hard to provide quality services and job opportunities across the region, especially for the Bangsamoro youthS,” Mawallil said. “The OBYA is committed to ensuring these efforts translate to real opportunities, which translates to the growth and development of our region.”

The young Mawallil has had years of experience in human rights work and communications and has served as the Executive Director of the BPI-ARMM for more than three years, prior to his appointment as OBYA head.

The OBYA was established in recognition of the vital role of the youths in regional development and nation-building. It is mandated to develop, promote, and protect the well-being of the Bangsamoro youths in various aspects, including their moral, social, and political growth as citizens. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Rajah Buayan LGU pushes backyard gardening, economy

MODEL BACKYARD GARDEN --- Engr. ZamzaminAmpatuan (center), the municipal mayor of Rajah Buayan, encourages local residents to cultivate their piece of land as source of livelihood and food security. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The local government unit of Rajah Buayan in the province of Maguindanao is envisioning to become one of the agricultural hubs in this part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao after suffering from years of recurring armed conflicts.

Engr. Zamzamin Ampatuan, municipal mayor of Rajah Buayan, said the direction of the municipal government is significant since the town is 90 percent agricultural land.

“This town is very productive before but the years of armed have affected the livelihood of local residents. We are glad to inform you that things are slowly changing nowadays,” he said.

He said commercial activities are growing, but one thing they would want to plan about is how to develop feasible livelihood programs that would complement the agriculture sector such as the production of local farm products.

Zam Ampatuan said it has been a challenge for his part on how to increase awareness among his constituents on the importance of focusing on the livelihood aspect for the benefit of the families.

“We understand the psychological effects of previous armed conflicts. There’s no other way but to go forward. We would want to create a culture of independence. We don’t want our people to be solely dependent from the aid of the government,” he stressed.

In this case, the local government is mapping out a plan to conduct skills training to support the livelihood programs.

“One effective approach that we think of as a good start is through developing backyard gardens for our residents as source of livelihood,” he said.

Zam Ampatuan said backyard gardenening could improve the ability of the residents to meet interrelated concerns of food and economic security, nutrition, and health.

“Some potential benefits of backyard gardening include income for the household, improved food security, and increased availability of food and better nutrition,” he said.

Zam Ampatuan, a licensed civil engineer, is also a peace advocate. He was only 26 when President Corazon Aquino appointed him director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Maguindanao in 1989. Years later, he also served as executive director of the Office of Muslim Affairs, lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Administration, and Energy undersecretary.

He was supposed to end his government career and settle in his native town of Rajah Buayan, one of the 36 localities in Maguindanao, to become a farmer but tried his luck during the village elections and won as barangay chairman. Soon after, he settled to run for mayor in his town.

Zam Ampatuan emphasized that his success for the past years of governance in turning around his town from being underdeveloped into a center of agricultural production encouraged him to work further for the benefit of his town constituents.

Accordingly, Rajah Buayan under Zam Ampatuan was awarded Certificate of Recognition by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for having achieved effective governance in peace and order.

Rajah Buayan is politically subdivided into 11 barangays, namely: Baital, Bakat, Dapantis, Gaunan, Malibpolok, Mileb, Panadtaban, Pidsandawan, Sampao, Tabungao, Zapakan. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Sultan sa Barongis LGU moves closer to people

MITIGATION --- Mayor Ramdatu Angas of Sultan Sa Barongis leads a recent clean-up drive with local government personnel as part of the advocacy on disaster prevention and mitigation. The mayor encourages the town residents to do their fair share since their town is a low-lying area and often visited by floods. (JP Alamada – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The municipality of Sultan Sa Barongis in the province of Maguindanao is bound to reach the farthest communities as the local government, through its barangay visitation program, would extend government services to the grassroots.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said the intent of their program is to bring the government closer to the people and to ensure that constituents are not deprived of basic services due to them.

“At least once-a-month, our department heads and the work force behind them shall personally go down to the grassroots and deliver basic services of the government,” he said.

Angas said this also part of strengthening their campaign against illegal drugs down to the barangay level.

“Livelihood, Philhealth for senior citizens, health services, civil registration, tax assessment and collection, agricultural and social welfare services, among others, are made available to the people,” he said.

Angas said they are also scheduled to conduct focus group discussions with the grassroots so they would know about their issues and concerns.

“This new approach of the municipal government would save time, money, and effort of our people, particularly, those from far-flung areas who have limited access to government services,” said Angas.

Under this program, key LGU service departments will hold simultaneous one-day office in each barangay until all the barangays are being covered.

Along with making government services more accessible to the barangays, it also aims to expose LGU personnel to different realities and situations in the barangays, and in the process, would enhance their foresight and capacity to respond to people’s concerns.

Meanwhile, the local government together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development have conducted last January 11 a pay-out to pensioners of senior citizens as well provided them with groceries, umbrella for old women, and hats for old men.

The town is also a recipient of the P10 million allocation of the 2016 Salintubig program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Angas, alongside other Maguindanao chief executives, was present during a recent invitation of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in Malacañang Palace, which the mayor described as a “loyalty check” in support to the President’s programs and government direction.

Sultan sa Barongis is politically subdivided into 12 barangays, Angkayamat, Barurao, Bulod, Darampua, Gadungan, Kulambog, Langgapanan, Masulot, Papakan, Tugal, Tukanakuden, and Paldong. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)