DepEd conducts training on contemporary issues

More than 700 teachers from Region XII, 30 of them from the Cotabato City Schools Division, participated in the 2017 Regional Mass Training of Grade 10 Araling Panlipunan Kontemporaryong Isyu (Contemporary Issues) held at Villa Amor Hotel in Koronadal City in two batches.

The first batchwas held last June 19-23 and the second last June 26-30 at the same venue in Koronadal City.

The mass training,sponsored by the Department of Education, is  intended to provide Grade 10 AralingPanlipunanteachers with concrete understanding of the curriculum framework, learning standards and competencies, pedagogy and content of contemporary issues, and teaching plans and assessment as stated inDepEd. Memorandum No. 72 s.2017, dated April 7, 2017.

The new content of the Araling Panlipunan 10 (Contemporary Issues) will be implemented this school year 2017-2018 as part of the new curriculum framework  in the K to 12 Basic Education Program based on Republic Act No.10533,“The Enhance Basic Education Act of 2013.”

Studying contemporary issues will help facilitate the Grade 10 students in gaining knowledge and identifying potential problems or issues and recommend solution or intervention to address them.It will also help the students know their rights and make decisions and give them opportunities to take responsibility for each other.

Speakers from the different divisions of the region shared their expertise, knowledge, and skills about the lessons in Grade 10 AralingPanlipunan from quarters 1 to 4 which included KontemporaryongIsyu, Pedagogical Approaches, Contextualization, and Localization.

The last day of the training highlightedthe participants’  skills and talents in their field of specialization. 

Two teachers from Notre Dame Village National High School, Mrs. Jocelyn Q. Liwagon and Mrs. Rahema A. Antungan, served as demonstration teachers.

Liwagon dealt on the importance of studying contemporary issues, citing the understanding of culture, among others.

The seminar-workshop ended with the distribution of certificates to the participants. (JOCELYN Q. LIWAGON, TEACHER I, ND VILLAGE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

FLOOD BURDEN

FLOOD BURDEN --- Sultan Sa Barongis municipal government relates how languishing it is for the constituents when floodings like this hit their town as they look how this crisis situation can be solved. At present, most barangays are under flood waters. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Investments in ARMM growing

COTABATO CITY ---  Investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) remain resilient and growing, posting a total of P3.65 billion in the first six months of 2017 notwithstanding the conflict in Marawi City that started in the third week of May.

“Despite the Marawi crisis, the investment prospects of THE ARMM continue to show signs of resilience and dynamism because the crisis area has effectively been contained by the government,” said Atty.IshakMastura, chairman and managing head of 5the ARMM’s Regional Board of Investments (RBOI).

The first half’s figures reported by the RBOI are higher by almost 74 percent compared with 2016’s total registration of P2.1 billion. The agency has, so far, registered three major projects this year.

The first is the P32-million fish processing and cold storage project of Abing Seafoods and Cold Storage located in Bongao, Tawi-tawi that addresses the needs of fisher-folks in the province to process, store, and preserve their seafood catch.

Second is the P33.5-million cargo shipping project of J. Sayang Shipping Lines, Inc., which is also based in Bongao, Tawi-tawi, for inter-island trade, as well as, for cross-border shipping with Sabah, Malaysia.

Lastly, the RBOI approved the P3-billion telecommunications carrier project of TierOne Communications International, Inc.  for the region.

The company’s original plan was to start with a roll-out program in Marawi City. Due to the current crisis, however, TierOne had to re-evaluate such plan.

The Marawi roll-out, company officials said, will still be implemented but in coordination with the rehabilitation and reconstruction program of the government.

In the revised plan, the company said it will first roll-out a pilot program by building facilities in the ARMM compound in Cotabato City that would serve the regional agencies. TierOne will eventually cover the entire region with its P3-billion investments,  notingthat there remains a provision for expansion and infusion of additional capital as needed.

Tier One’s project will cover cellular service in 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, and broadband wireless internet to homes and enterprises as well as WiFi for public, or common, areas.

Chairman Mastura said he expects more investments coming in during the second half of the year.

“We expect banana plantation investments in Maguindanao to continue with hundreds of millions worth to be registered this year with the RBOI. There is a port services project worth P100 million, a bulk water treatment project worth around P200 million, and a cacao plantation project that will pour in P1 billion, all of which will hopefully be registered this year,” he added.

The RBOI provides fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to ARMM investors. In 2015, the agency registered a total of P6.5 billion, the biggest in the history of the ARMM. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DOTC-ARMM improves services

COTABATO CITY --- The leadership of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao continues to improve its services for the benefit of the ARMM populace.

DOTC-ARMM Regional Secretary DatuOmbra S. Sinsuat, Jr. said upgrading of services takes place as per directive of Regional Governor Mujiv. S Hatamanto improve public services.

“With the guidance of our regional governor, we are stepping on the challenges. Let us hope for the best for the benefit and welfare of our constituents in the ARMM,” said Sinsuat.

Sinsuat said that at present, mechanisms are being done to further improve their services.

“The governor has already issued an Executive Order which states that whatever is the pattern in the operation in the national level, it will be done in our region,” he said.

Further, Sinsuat said that anytime this week they are scheduled to release a memorandum order to the directors of offices under the DOTC-ARMM.

“Purpose of which is for them to maximize their collection. This is part of our commitment,” he added.

Meanwhile, it was learned from Sinsuat that Land Transportation Office-ARMM Director Nashrudin Talipasan is no longer part of the DOTC-ARMM because he wasrecently promoted to a national post under same agency.

“In the event that we don’t have somebody yet to fulfil the task as head of LTO-ARMM, I already gave an order to them to still continue with their ongoing activities,” Sinsuat said.

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’)

SSB observes 57th Founding Day

SOCIAL SERVICE --- Mayor RamdatuAngas led the feeding program to more than 200 children in Sultan saBarongis as part of the 57^th Foundation Anniversary last July 15.  (Anne Acosta – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN sa BARONGIS (SSB), MAGUINDANAO --- This municipality gears for another year of competence as it celebrated last July 15 its 57th Foundation Anniversary with the theme, “Pagkakaisa, Pagtutulungan para sa Handa at Mapayapang Pamayanan.”

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said the celebration for this year’s foundation anniversary was simple yet a meaningful one.

“It is our decision to make it simple since we’re currently facing a perennial problem on flooding. At present, most barangays of the town are under flood waters so we would want to focus more on this concern and be able to ensure the safety of our populace. We set allocation for the relief operation,” Mayor Angas said.

As part of the activity, Mayor Angas said a feeding program was held at the municipal gymnasium last July 14.

‘We’ve fed more than 200 kids. This is also in accordance with the Nutrition Month celebration,” Mayor Angas added.

Previously, the municipal government sought aid from the provincial government of Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to solve its recurring flood problem.

“Sultan saBarongis is situated along the borders of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and is at the direct path of Ala River, a major tributary coming from South Cotabato. Therefore, it is not only a concern of the town but also of the provincial and regional governments,” he said.

In a separate interview, Regional Secretary Don Mustapha Loong of the Department of Public Works and Highways - ARMM sees the need for a more comprehensive program to address the flood problem along the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao.

Loong said this is part of the Mindanao River Basin, so it is not only a concern of the regional government but also of other areas affected by the flooding.

Mayor Angas said they have already submitted a proposed plan to find solution on the recurring flood problem.

Sultan SaBarongis is a second class municipality in the province of Maguindanao. It 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’)

Lady mayor slamsinclusion in NAPOLCOM order

COTABATO City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadihas refuted the order of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) withdrawing her deputation as representative of the Commission.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi was listed among the seven provincial governors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Sultan Kudarat in Region XII in Resolution Nos. 2017-334 issued by the NAPOLCOM last June 8 withdrawing the deputation of the government officials as representatives of the Commission.

This resolution came as a surprise to many of the officials who were implicated on the grounds of “inaction to combat criminalities in their areas of responsibility and giving support to terroristic groups.”

For Mayor Guiani-Sayadi, the removal of deputation will not in any way affect her leadership and function as the chief executive officer of Cotabato City but she objects the grounds upon which the resolution was based.

“If they remove the deputation on the grounds of the implementation of Martial Law, we will accept that. But if they say we are not doing anything to combat criminalities in our area and much so give support to terrorists, then this is truly questionable,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

In Cotabato City, the lady mayor, since her time as the elected vice mayor of the city in 2016, has already conducted nightly patrols along major areas in the city initially to ensure that minors are strictly following the curfew hours. Later, this activity was institutionalized by the City PNP and called it the Revitalized Operations and Neutralization on Drug Addiction and Anomalies or RONDA. This operation is jointly led by the city police and the city government of Cotabato.

When President Rodrigo Duterte declared his all-out war against illegal drugs, the city mayor also started running after the people  involved in drug trade in the city. This resulted to the apprehension of more than 100 individuals and the confiscation of millions worth of drugs and other paraphernalia.

With the success of the RONDA, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi started getting recognition from her fellow chief executives in Region XII and later, Cotabato City was recognized as the model city of the region, citing the RONDA as one of its best practices that other LGUs are encouraged to replicate.

The mayor was also recognized as an Outstanding Lady Executive by the Police Regional Office-12 because of her remarkable efforts in intensifying the peacekeeping activities in Cotabato City through the continuous operations of the RONDA.

To complement the President’s declaration of martial law last May 23,  Mayor Guiani-Sayadi issued Executive Order No. 210 on June 5, 2017 declaring a “NO ID, NO ENTRY’ policy in the territorial jurisdiction of Cotabato City.

Under EO 210 of the city mayor, only persons with valid identification papers shall be allowed access/entry into Cotabato City, provided tha5t they have to undergo body inspection, including their baggage, at the security checkpoints manned by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippines National Police (PNP).

Entry into Cotabato City of motor vehicles shall only be allowed upon presentation of a valid/current motor vehicle registration documents from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), provided that motor vehicles have to undergo inspection of its cargo and trunk/compartment at the security checkpoints manned by elements of the AFP or PNP.

“Since the declaration of martial law on May 23, 2017, our police blotters are almost empty. There were no crimes against persons committed in the city until that NAPOLCOM Resolution came out,” she said.

Days before the NAPOLCOM Resolution came out to the public, City Mayor Guiani-Sayadi was even chosen and took her oath as the newest member of the Regional Advisory Council of the Police Regional Office-12 before Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, representing all the local government units in the region.

This is why the official was dismayed upon receiving the news of being stripped of police deputation.

Talking to the press, she said the order should have first undergone validation and brought down to the regional level to make way for verifications as to its veracity.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said there was no mention in the premises if the NAPOLCOM Resolution 334 about any untoward incident that transpired in Cotabato City during the period that would necessitate the withdrawal of her deputation as representative of the Commission.

She also pointed out that being deputized by the NAPOLCOM didn’t mean she had total control of the city police. The city government has only extended its assistance by providing them with necessary equipment and logistical help.

“Our city police are free to do whatever they want as long as it is in accordance with the law,” the mayor further said.

Despite the withdrawal of her deputation, City Mayor Guiani-Sayadi assured that the operations of the local government will not be affected and she will continue to serve her people as their chief executive.

The services extended by the LGU to the communities will still continue and the nightly RONDA will still go on together with the help of the barangay force multipliers. This will not stop her from her ongoing pursuit to keep Cotabato City safe from all forms of lawless forces.

Law enforcement agencies in the city, like the City Police Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Criminal Investigation and Detention Group-ARMM, and ask Force Kutawato, were also quick to issue their certifications as testimonial to the lady mayor’s performance when it comes to crime suppression strategies that she implements in the city.

603^rd Brigade Commander Col. Jesus Sarsagat, also the head of the newly created Task Force Kutawato, said that the mayor’s support to the task force has enabled the unit to effectively perform its mandate and maintain the needed peace that is essential to the progress of the city.

Meanwhile, two days after the NAPOLCOM resolution was released to the public, Department of the Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy admitted that the list was in fact erroneous, saying the agency is ready to review the list and make necessary corrections as soon as possible.

Under Section 51 of R.A. 6975, as amended by section by section 64 of R.A. 8851, governors and mayors are automatically deputized as representative of the NAPOLCOM in their respective jurisdiction. As deputized agents of the Commission, local government executives can inspect police forces and units, conduct audit, and exercise other functions as may be authorized by the Commission.(HALIMA SATOL-IBRAHIM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

2-week food supplyfor Marawi IDPs

MARAWI CITY ---The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government has provided two weeks supply of food to more than 33,000 families displaced in the Marawi crisis.

ARMM Governor MujivHataman led last July 10 the turn-over of an initial 2,500 food packs to the local governments of Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, and the town of Saguiaran.

A single food pack contains 25 kilos of rice, a kilo of monggo, fresh and dried fish, 10 canned goods, and two dozens of 3-in-1 coffee. It is intended to meet the food requirements of a family of four for at least two weeks.

Hataman said additional deliveries will be made to these LGUs in the coming days to complete the total number of food packs.

He said they’ve asked the help of the local government units in the distribution of the food packs to ensure that the assistance will reach the beneficiaries as quickly as possible.

The fighting in Marawi City, which is now on its eight week, has displaced more than 246,000 residents.

The more than 33,000 recipient families of the food packs are the displaced families who are known to be staying in Lanaodel Sur, either house-based or in the different evacuation centers.

Jo Henry, communications officer of the ARMM’s Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (HEART), said the recipient families were identified and evaluated through the Disaster Assistance and Family Access Card (DAFAC) system.

The government is using the DAFAC system to evaluate the status and appropriate needs of the affected families and ensure efficient relief distribution.

Henry said that on instruction from regional governor, the ARMM-HEART started to distribute the three- week food packs to families with Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC) in the days leading to end of Ramadan last month so that the families will have something to prepare for the celebration if the Eid’lFitr.

In addition to its humanitarian and relief operations, the ARMM government is also assisting in drawing up plans for the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected areas.

The task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte to oversee this operation, the Task Force BangonMarawi, will be coordinating its efforts with the regional government.

Hataman said government agencies must come together and work in solidarity with other stakeholders to deal with the damage of the Marawi crisis to infrastructures and civilian lives. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DSA conducts peace summit

AWARENESS --- Town constituents flocked at the Datu Saudi municipal gymnasium last July 12 for the Joint AFP, PNP, and LGU Peace Summit against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs. At inset is Mayor HadjaBaiAnida A. Dimaukom (3^rd from left) together with (L-R) DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Q. Kedtag, Vice Mayor HadjaBailon S. Dimaukom, and Lt. Col. Markton G. Abo of the 6^th Infantry Division. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao --- The municipal government here conducted last July 12 the Joint AFP, PNP, and LGU Peace Summit against Terrorism and Illegal Drugs at the town’s gymnasium in its advocacy to improve the climate of tranquillity and socio-economic investments.

Mayor Hadja Bai Anida A. Dimaukom said the move is to further strengthen security among the town constituents.

“We would want to solicit the full commitment not only of our barangay officials but also to the whole of our populace as we fight terrorism and illegal drugs,” she said.

Lt. Col. Markton G. Abo, assistant chief-of-staff for CMO G7 of the 6th Infantry Division, dealt on the Bangsamoro Struggle and its effect on the lives of the people in Central Mindanao.

Monina P. Guialudin, municipal local government operations officer, underscored the role of the local government units in fighting illegal drugs and terrorism.

Lt. Col. Gerry M. Besana, CMO commander of the 6^th Infantry Division, discussed the Understanding 2017 Martial Law Declaration.

The evolution of the Islamic Radicalism was tackled by Sheikh Norulam Abdulla.

Other guests present during the activity were Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Secretary Kahal Q. Kedtag and 601^st Brigade Commander Col. Diosdado C. Carreon. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

RPOC-12 supports ML

SUPPORT --- RPOC XII chair and Sultan Kudarat Governor Sultan Pax Mangudadatu convened the council last July 11 at the Provincial Capitol in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in support to the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. At inset is Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (center) who was one of the attendees. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA ESPAÑOLA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat --- The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in  Region-12 convened last July 11 as members declared their open supportto the declaration of Martial Law (ML) in Mindanao by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Local chief executives from the region, including Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, were present at the council meeting held at the Kings Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building in Isulan.

RPOC-12 chair and Sultan Kudarat Governor Sultan Pax Mangudadatu said he will always support the initiatives of the President.

Governor Mangudadatu emphasized that not even the recent National Police Commission’s (NAPOLCOM) order stripping him of deputation power over the local police can stop him from working for peace in their area.

“It has no effect in my support to the efforts of the PNP and the AFP in the province of Sultan Kudarat. Ever since, we keep the Christians and Muslims live in peaceful co-existence,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Mangudadatu along with his 12 local chief executives and Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi were recently stripped of deputation power over the local PNP by the NAPOLCOM.

Governor Mangudadatu said he welcomed the declaration Martial Law to spare the province from hostility happening in neighboring areas.

NAPOLCOM Commissioner on Law enforcement Director Felizardo Serapio, Jr.cited at the council meeting that the listing of the local chief executives  stripped with deputation powers, the timing, and some problems on procedures are the issues and concerns that the commission is now addressing.

“We’ve been very busy lately making rounds of consultations with different local chief executives in Mindanao,” Serapio said.

Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi refuted earlier the order of the NAPOLCOM’s withdrawing her deputation as representative of the Commission.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi was listed among seven provincial governors in the ARMM and Sultan Kudarat in Region XII in Resolution Nos. 2017-334 issued by the NAPOLCOM last June 8 withdrawing the deputation of the government officials as representatives of the Commission.

This resolution came as a surprise to many of the officials who were implicated on the grounds of “inaction to combat criminalities in their areas of responsibility and giving support to terroristic groups.”

For Mayor Guiani-Sayadi, the removal of deputation will not in any way affect her leadership and function as the chief executive officer of Cotabato City but she objects the grounds upon which the resolution was based.

“If they remove the deputation on the grounds of the implementation of Martial Law, we will accept that. But if they say we are not doing anything to combat criminalities in our area and much so give support to terrorists, then this is truly questionable”, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

Despite the withdrawal of her deputation, Guiani-Sayadi assured that the operations of the local government will not be affected and she will continue to serve her people as their chief executive.

The services extended by the LGU to the communities will still continue and the nightly RONDA will still go on together with the help of the barangays force multipliers. This will not stop her from her ongoing pursuit to keep Cotabato City safe from all forms of lawless forces.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)