Beware of summer diseases

COTABATO CITY --- The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has warned the public on the possible rise of summer diseases as an effect of intense heat and water shortage.

DOH-ARMM Secretary Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. said there are certain diseases common this summer season as he reminds the public that unsafe hygiene practices can promote the spread of boils and even sore eyes.

“Prickly heat (bungangaraw), boils, sore eyes, stomachache, and the deadly heat stroke are some of the common diseases during the summer months,” he said.

Sinolinding said when going out, “we may apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outdoors and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.”

“We should avoid direct exposure to sun,” Sinolinding said.

He added that one must also refrain from doing activities between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as it could lead to heat stroke.Stroke may be felt not only when one is under the sun, but even indoors,most especially when there is not enough ventilation.

“Apparently, heat stroke is a more serious consequence of too much exposure to sun. Good thing, it can be avoided by drinking plenty of water,” said Sinolinding.

Meanwhile, the DOH has also warned the public about food safety as prepared foods is said to spoil faster during summer season.

“Stomachache and diarrhea may be brought on by spoiled food,“ he said.

As global warming has begun to take its toll in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, Filipinos are starting to experience extreme weather conditions like the El Niño phenomenon.

According to dermatologists, there will also be possible spread of skin issues like xerosis, which is characterized by rough and dry skin, resulting to the loss of our skin's natural moisture and oil.

Symptoms of xerosis are: constant skin irritation, itchiness, scaliness, and presence of fine cracks. To check whether you have dry skin, you can scratch the arm of your skin and if white marks appear, your skin is most likely dry. Also check your elbows, knees, and heels for any signs of dryness as these are area hotspots where dry skin is most commonly evident.

Apart from prolonged sun exposure and dehydration, you can also get dry skin from every day activities such as over-scrubbing of skin, taking long hot showers, and staying in an air-conditioned room all day.

Experts stressed that it can lead to more serious health problems like dermatitis or inflammation of the skin, if left untreated.With the heat expected to worsen in the coming summer months, experts advise using body lotions containing petroleum jelly to heal dry skin and keep it moisturized all day.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

RADIO ASSET

RADIO ASSET --- A total of 503 livestock raisers from Maguindanao were officially confirmed during the mass graduation ceremony of School On-the-Air (SOA) on Halal Production of Small Ruminants last March 15 at the ShariffKabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)-ARMM and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)-12 conducted the SOA program to farmers from 10 towns of Maguindanao. The SOA is a series of radio programs presenting the subject matter systematically and in a progressive manner, which consisted of 18 episodes that aired on November 14, 2016 until March 13, 2017 over DXMS RadyoBida.

Alexander Alonto, Jr., DAF-ARMM secretary, led the graduation. Luz Taposok, Director IV of ATI Central Office, confirmed the graduates and Enrico Garzon, Jr., assistant secretary on Livestock-Department of Agriculture, delivered his message to the graduates. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

FSD turns over school bell, replaces bombshell

BOMBSHELL TO BELL --- Fondation Suisse de Deminage (FSD) Mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Risk Education (MRE) Project Manager Markus Schindler (3^rd from left) turned over a “school bell” as replacement of an old Japanese “bombshell” during the launching of the “Bells for Bombs” hand-over ceremony last March 15 at the Malapag Elementary School in Carmen, North Cotabato. The bell was received by Malapag Elementary School principal Florencio W. Mandaiyas (5^th from right). (MARK NAVALES – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- TheFondation Suisse de Deminage(FSD), or commonly known as the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, has turned over a “school bell” as replacement of an old Japanese “bombshell” during launchingof the “Bells for Bombs” hand-over ceremony last March 15 at the Malapag Elementary School in Carmen, North Cotabato.

Florencio W. Mandaiyas, principal of MalapagElementary School, said the bombshell also known as “Japanese 50 lbs. airdrop weapon”has been used as bell of MalapagElementary School since the school was founded in year 1956.

“We used to believe that this bombshell was part of the Japanese amenities during the 2nd World War and was founded by the first group of people, the Iranon, who occupied Malapagin the early 19th century,” Mandaiyas said.

Mandaiyassaid the bombshell has been part of the MalapagElementary School and it has a priceless sentimental value because it is used as the wake-up call of everybody during class days and even during alert status, especially when peace and order was unstable then.

“This bell can actually be heard as far as the next barangay.And when it is heard ringing, everybody knows the signals we give. It simply unites the whole school and even the community, that we really value its importance,” he said.

But as part of the peace process, Mandaiyas added, their community is positively letting go of this bell to help promote and support Republic Act 9516.

“We hope this will be kept and used in a valuable manner by the proper agency that holds responsible of this,” he said.

Markus Schindler, Mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Risk Education (MRE) Project Manager, said the FSD is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Here in Mindanao, the FSD has been conducting various humanitarian mine action programmes, which includes Mines and Unexploded Ordnance Risk Education,” said Schindler.

Schindler said the programme is conducted in support of the peace process and the parties’ commitment to clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines, as stated in the Peace Agreement’s Annex on Normalisation.

“We began the programme in 2012 and have been implemented across Mindanao, specifically in areas where the presence of UXO threatens the life and well-being of civilians, said Schindler.

The risk educator also added that the MRE seeks to raise awareness on the hazardous nature of UXO and to promote safe behaviour.

“Aside from conducting MRE sessions in communities and schools in areas affected by armed conflict, the FSD has trained numerous volunteers to conduct the MRE in their communities,” he added.

Just recently, FSD teams visited schools where they received information that disarmed bombs are currently in use as school bells.

“This simply contradicts FSD’s safety message that UXO is dangerous and should not be touched,” he said.

In collaboration with the Department of Education XII office, the FSD offered to replace the bombshell bell in MalapagElementary School with a brass bell.

“Our advocacy would be reinforced effectively with everyone’s participation,” said Schindler.(GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM observes Bangsamoro Week of Peace

REMEMBERING THE STRUGGLES  ---  ARMM Governor MujivHataman (left), along with UN World Food Programme  Country Director Praveen Agrawal and actress KC Concepcion, UN -WFP ambassador for hunger, attended the opening ceremony of the week-long celebration of the annual Bangsamoro Week of Peace in Cotabato City last March 13. The event is a commitment of the ARMM government to raise awareness on Bangsamoro consciousness and identity. (OMAR MANGORSI, BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’ )

COTABATO CITY ---The sixth-year commemoration of the Bangsamoro Week of Peace commenced last March 13 with an opening ceremony held in the ORG compound and led by Regional Governor MujivHataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

This year's theme for the annual event was “Bangsamoro: Revisiting the Past, Continuing the Cause.” 

Governor Hataman said it is only through remembering the previous struggles of the Bangsamoro can today’s generation be empowered to continue the cause and achieve lasting peace in this part of the country.  “Mahalaganaalalahanin natin at ipagpatuloy natin ito hanggang sa magkaroon ng ganap ng kapayapaan,” the ARMM governor said.

Hataman also called for unity and cooperation among the different sectors in the region to continue the reforms and changes that the regional government has introduced and implemented during his years of governance.

The tri-people of the Bangsamoro must continue the fight against poverty and terrorism, GovernorHataman added. “Wala man tayo sa gitna ng giyerangayon, hindi ibigsabihinna hindi na tayo nakikibaka.Patuloy ang ating pakikibakalaban sa kahirapan at terorismo,” he said.

The regional governor also pointed out how technology is a double-edged sword, with the youth becoming more vulnerable to misinformation as they gain access to the internet.

Amir Mawallil, executive director of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (BYA) echoed the government's point and said that ensuring the youth learns about the history of the Bangsamoro is crucial in developing the youth's consciousness. Aside from this, an awareness of Bangsamoro history is also crucial to the success of the long-standing peace efforts involving the Bangsamoro.

This is why, Mawallil said, the regional government will exert efforts on mainstreaming the discussion of Bangsamoro history among the youths in the region through the OBYA. “We have to look at different platforms and exhaust all means. Our approach must succeed in being pervasive, 'yung kahitsaansilalumingonnandoon ang narrative ng Bangsamoro” said Director Mawallil.

He added that the youths can be an instrument of peace simply by knowing their history. “Their every action must be rooted in something bigger than themselves; dapat may hugot, at sananakaugat 'yun sa pagkilalanila sa tunaynakasaysayan ng Bangsamoro,” he said.

Among the activitiesfor the week’s commemoration were a photo exhibit, a stage play, and a range of conferences, and panel discussions, including a forum on the Bangsamoro history conducted simultaneously in all provinces of the ARMM.

The Bangsamoro Week of Peace is celebrated every second week of March to commemorate the Jabidah Massacre which is considered a pivotal point of the Bangsamoro struggle.

“Alamkongmasakit sa ating lahatnaito’yalalahanin, ngunitito ang nag-udyok sa atinnaipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan at ipaglaban ang ating identihiya,” Hataman said, referring to the massacre. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

City SP upgrades traffic code

COTABATO CITY --- The city government of Cotabato is slated to adopt a new traffic code approved recently by the SangguniangPanlungsod (SP) to regulate and manage the growing traffic situation here.

Vice-Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama, in an interview, said they are going to implement the new traffic code in two week’s time.

Dumama said they have created one-way streets, one of which is the SK Pendatun Avenue from downtown heading to the Super area.

“It is the only way to further cushion traffic congestion,” said Dumama.

The vice mayor also suggested the putting up of at least two integrated terminals, one for the north and one for the south bound passengers.

Newly opened roads, he added, have also helped  ease traffic like the one in front of the City Hall (People’s Palace) going to Notre Dame Village and the diversion road located in Malagapas.

“These definitely helped our motorists,” he said.

Councilor Eduardo Rabago, Jr., who chairs the SP committee on transportation, said they are planning to have an advocacy campaign to fully inform the public about the new traffic code.“Rest assured we will inform the public so they could adopt with our new traffic code.”

Further, Dumama said with the 2016Revised Traffic Code, the city government will be strictly implementing stiffer penalties on violators. “Wecame up with this right after we updated the laws so we can be more responsive to the present needs of the city.”

“The 2016 Revised Traffic Code is fully upgraded,” he said.

“Upgrading the traffic code depends on the changing times. This time, we placed higher penalties to violators so there will be discipline from their end. After all, it’s for everybody’s safety,” he said.

In some areas, the city government will be implementing the  “no parking” policy.

Dumama said they are currently widening the road along Governor Gutierrez Avenue.“After we’re through with the road widening in the area, our populace would feel the difference.”

Dumama emphasized that the SP shall not entertain anymore application for franchise of terminals, except when it is favourably endorsed by the city mayor or the executive department.

“In the previous practice, application is done here.But let me tell you, it is purely on the executive level in nature,” he said.

Dumama said it is only appropriate for the franchise applicants to direct their application to the executive department so they will be properly guided with the requirements needed. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

FEMALE POWER

FEMALE POWER --- Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (2nd from left) inspires women in the province of South Cotabato as she spoke before them last March 13 for the celebration of Women's Day in the municipality of T'boli.

She was invited by T'boli Mayor Dibu S. Tuan as Mayor Guiani-Sayadi is getting popular across the region for being the epitome of an "empowered woman." Her accomplishments as a chief executive have gained her the respect, not just of her colleagues, but law enforcement officials as well.

Back when she was still the vice mayor of Cotabato City, she has already started joining the police in patrolling the city every night, resulting to the apprehension of several citizens who violated the laws. Later on, the joint PNP-LGU ronda was created and institutionalized as one of the best practices of the city government.

Because of her exemplary efforts in curbing the crime rate in the city, she was recently recognized by the Police Regional Office XII as an Outstanding Woman Chief Executive.

Speaking in front of hundreds of residents of T'boli, she has shown them that femininity is not something to feel inferior about, but something that must be celebrated by every woman.(COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Decommissioned combatants receive livelihood assistance

LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE --- 127 decommissioned combatants of the MILF received agricultural interventions, to include goats, in turn-over rites led by Government Implementing Peace Panel Chair Irene Santiago (inset) at Camp Darapanan. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- Some 127 decommissioned combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) received livelihood assistance during a turn-over ceremony last March 15 held at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Government Implementing Peace Panel Chair Irene Santiago said this initiative is in accordance to the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangasamoro (CAB), particularly on the Annex on Normalization.

“This program was led by the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities or TFDCC and the Department of Agriculture,” said Santiago.

Santiago said the beneficiaries come from Maguindanao province. The agricultural interventions include carabaos with implements, cattle heads, goats, and poultry animals such as chickens and ducks.

“They also received rice and corn seeds, rubber, and fruit seedlings such aslanzones, mangoes, durian, and mangosteen as well as fertilizers,” said Santiago.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael G. Mangudadatu has also gave coconut seedlings to the decommissioned combatants

On May 31, 2015, the GPH and MILF negotiating panels signed an agreement creating the TFDCC which is mandated to undertake special socio-economic and development programs for the decommissioned women auxiliary forces of the MILF. It shall also assist the panels in identifying and implementing the socio-economic priorities and development projects that will address the needs of MILF combatants and their communities.

The TFDCC shall also coordinate with government agencies, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders in monitoring and supporting the transition of the decommissioned combatants and programs for their communities, the internally displaced, and other vulnerable sectors.

Previously, 145 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) turned over their firearms as part of the Phase 1 of the decommissioning process in keeping with the CAB. The 145 members underwent profiling process wherein their needed socio-economic assistance have been identified.

To date, partner implementing agencies (PHIC, DEPED, TESDA, CHED, DA, DSWD) have fully delivered their commitments to the decommissioned combatants except for the livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture and cash-for-work support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as they are waiting the go-signal and approval of the MILF on these remaining interventions.

In the just concluded 7^th GPH-MILF Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities Meeting last March 7 in Davao City, it was agreed to conduct a training orientation and delivery of socio-economic package for the 127 decommissioned combatants based in Maguindanao and North Cotabato on March 14-15, 2017 in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Also in attendance included GPH TFDCC co-chair and Office of the Presiden6tial Adviser on the Peace Process Assistance SecretaryRolly Asuncion, MILF Implementing Panel member Prof. Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, MILF-BIAF spokesman Von Alhaq, MILF TFDCC co-chair Hadji Abdullah Pacasem, and DA Undersecretary Atty. Ranibai D. Dilangalen. (ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

RELIEF OPERATION

RELIEF OPERATION --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through its Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) distributed last March 15, 2017 relief packs to almost 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to armed conflict in Albarka, Basilan.  Out of 16 barangays, 7 were affected, Kaili, Makalang, Kambug, Ginantah, Magcawah, Danapah and Linuan. All IDPs from the 7 barangays have received food packs. (MYRNA JO HENRY, ARMM HEART – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)