Shariff Aguak celebrates 54th Founding Anniversary

PHYSICAL --- Zumba Marathon was one of the highlights during the 54^th Foundation Anniversary celebration of Shariff Aguak last September 8. At inset are Shariff Aguak First Lady Emarie Mangudadatu Ampatuan (left) and the King and Queen of Zumba Marathon --- Yashier T. Kasan and Jannah Kaye T. Kasan. (SHARIFF AGUAK MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT / ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao --- This local government steps into another milestone as it celebrated last September 11 its 54^th Foundation Anniversary.

Mayor Marop B. Ampatuan said the local government prepared various activities that the town constituents did enjoy.

Last Septmber 8, a Zumba Marathon was held at the municipal gymnasium where more than 600 constituents participated.

“The two-hour activity was participated by the different sectors of the town,” Mayor Ampatuan said.

The Zumba Marathon event was an initiative of Shariff Aguak First Lady Emarie Mangudadatu Ampatuan.

It was followed by the Qur'an Reading Exhibition participated by the famous "Qari" headed by Al Qari Musa Panday. In the afternoon, the "Sipa sa Mangkis" was held together with the "Agong/Kulintang Exhibition."

On September 9 in early morning, a civic-military parade was held after which was staging of the first-ever "National Invitational Motocross Competition" joined by famous riders from different places.

“One of our participants was a 17-time holder of the Philippine Rider of the Year,” Mayor Ampatuan said.

Further, a Moro Song Concert was held.

Last September 10, a fun-run, dubbed as "Takbo Laban sa Terorismo at Iligal na Droga," took place and then follow through of the motocross. In the afternoon, a concert was held that lasted until 9:00 p.m.

During the culmination program last September 11, a medical mission was prepared for the benefit of the town’s populace. A feeding program was also given to elementary school children and those from the Madrasah.

“Let me take this opportune time to thank our people from the municipal government, our town constituents, and our comrades from the various sectors on the success of our foundation anniversary celebration. Mabuhay po ang Shariff Aguak”, Mayor Ampatuan said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DSA capacitates municipal employees

SERVICE EXCELLENCE --- Municipal Administrator Mastura S. Tapa (right) during interview of Mindanao Expose’ on the efforts of the municipal government to upgrade basic services and achieve public excellence, ethics, and accountability. (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- This local government continues to capacitate municipal employees to further upgrade the delivery of its basic services for the people.

Municipal Administrator Mastura S. Tapa said the effort is part of their 2017 Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).

“Last August 2 and 3, we have conducted the first-ever seminar on Basic Customer Service Skills. Under the BCSS, we taught the employees on the proper way of treating clients with courtesy,” Tapa said.

Among its inclusions are the employee’s specific job descriptions according to their functions under time management and observance of official office hours.

“We are now on the second module and our next schedule is on September 15. The series of seminars contain five modules. Hopefully, we will be able to finish it after six months,” Tapa said.

Mayor Bai Anida A. Dimaukom said that they would also want to give emphasis on the service mission and service values of the local government’s various sections.

“In every module, we are going to have specific visions… and as part of the series are seminars, value of public excellence, ethics, and accountability,” Mayor Dimaukom said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DEVELOPMENT PROSPECT

DEVELOPMENT PROSPECT --- Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao shares with Mindanao Expose’ the local government’s push for “bamboo industry” as one of their development agenda as the town  observed its 13^th Foundation Anniversary last September 3. (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SSB works out for drug-free status

Mayor Ramdatu Angas

SULTAN SA BARONGIS (SSB), Maguindanao--- This local government is steadfast on its commitment for establishing drug-free communities.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said the municipal government has previously listed five drug-affected barangays but are now subject for “drug clearing.”

“These barangays are still subject for clearing and it is our ulterior goal to have drug-free Sultan Sa Barnogis,” Mayor Angas said.

Angas said they have encouraged communities to take a pro-active stance in the government’s fight against proliferation of illegal drugs.

The parameters for declaring “drug-cleared” status of drug-affected barangays are: non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit/trans-shipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; absence of clandestine drug warehouse; absence of clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, dive, or resort; absence of drug pusher; absence of drug user/dependent; absence of protector/coddler and financier; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; active involvement of Sangguniang Kabataan to help maintain the drug-liberated status of the barangay; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Assemblyman Padate raises social justice for teachers in ARMM

COTABATO CITY --- Assemblyman Abol Alam Padate of the second district of Lanao del Sur has cited his viewpoints regarding the plight of teachers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) during a recent privilege speech.

Padate, who is a member of the 9^th Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA), expressed concern on the condition of teachers, particularly those with non-permanent status or the so-called probationary teachers, who have served for 10 years or more.

“I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege. It has often been said that the heart and soul of the ARMM is social justice. The ARMM was established to bring the government closer to the people. For so long, the Bangsamoros have been neglected, abused, and oppressed. We, as a government, have more work to do. Many of our brothers and sisters up to this day still live in abject poverty.  Hope seems lost for most. Therefore, it baffles me why we are doing otherwise, that instead of uplifting our people from poverty, we are contributing to their misery. I am referring to the condition of our teachers,” Assemblyman Padate said.

Padate said that whenever he goes around his district, teachers would approach him and request to have a dialogue.

“Here in Cotabato City, countless teachers have visited my office. Our social media page is also flooded with questions coming from them. They seem troubled after reports are going around that there would be mass replacement of teachers who have yet to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET),” Padate added.

Padate claimed that while he understands the efforts to improve the quality of education, he believes that there are many things to consider.

“Teachers with non-permanent status, but have served for 10 years or more deserve the protection of the government. Even from the perspective of a manager or supervisor, you do not remove an employee simply because of technicalities. Years of experience will always outweigh any examination. Competence is still better determined by track record, not test results,” he pointed out.

Reiterating that the heart and soul of the ARMM is social justice, he said:  “Everything we do here cannot go against public policy. Our actions should also be guided by justice and not legality alone. The number of non-permanent teachers who have served for more than 10 years is in the thousands. Most of them are also the breadwinners of their respective families. Imagine how they will be affected, not to mention that because of their status, they’re neither entitled to government benefits.”

Padate said he is not insinuating of changing the system by disregarding the LET examinations.

“All I ask is we retain those who are presently teaching now and have been doing so for 10 years or more. They deserve that at the very least. We have Muslim Mindanao Act No. 303 that supposedly protects these teachers. I am seeking for its full implementation. If there are amendments needed for its improvement, I would be more than willing to introduce such amendments,” Padate said.

Padate said he has spoken following reports of mass replacements.

“Our teachers are at a lost. They’re like wandering ships in the dark. Let us be their light in the horizon. Let us show them that hope is not lost. Let us show our teachers that they have a government that is on their side. A government that doesn’t stand still but moves for the welfare of its people,” he said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

LGUs urged to support full implementation of RPRH Law

COTABATO CITY --- The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), the United Youth of the Philippines (UnYPhil) – Women,  and their partners reiterated their call during media briefing last September 7 for the local government units to pursue the meaningful implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law.

Since its enactment in December 2012, Filipinos have yet to witness the law’s full and proper implementation.

This landmark legislation has four key provisions: access to family planning, maternal healthcare, age-appropriate sexuality and reproduction health education, and regular funding.

In the same month, the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act 292 or the Reproductive Health Care Act of 2012 was also approved in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The briefing focused on the following challenges: uneven implementation at the local level, rise in serious adolescent RH problems, legal barriers, lack of public awareness, and insufficient  funding.

Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) remains high at 221 deaths per 100,000 live births. The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and the total fertility rate (TFR) remain stagnant at 51 and 3.0, respectively.

One in 10 young women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing and HIV has been declared a “youth epidemic” due to the rising number of infections in the youth demography.

With its commitment to their RPRH Law advocacy, the PLCPD continues to assist local government units in crafting their own RH policies.

Just this year in the ARMM, the municipalities of Sumisip, Basilan and Jolo, Sulu, as well as the provincial government of Tawi-tawi and municipalities Bongao and Panglima Sugala, have approved the resolutions, while the provincial government of Basilan, the municipality of Maluso, and the city of Lamitan, have filed resolutions calling on the justices of the Supreme Court to lift the temporary restraining order on family planning commodities.

Romeo Dongeto, Executive Director of the PLCPD, said they welcome these developments, seeing that uneven implementation at the local level is one of the key challenges that the law currently faces.

“We urge other LGUs to support the full implementation of the law by enacting their own ordinances and resolutions,” Dongeto said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES --- The ARMM joins the Philippine Civil Service Commission in celebrating its 117th year of existence last September 5. With the theme “Tugon sa Hamon ng Pagbabago: Malasakit ng Lingkod Bayani,” Director Dominador Gonzales, Jr. of the CSC field office in the ARMM said this year's activities are meant to remind the public servants of manifesting "malasakit" in public service. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION-ARMM - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

5 NPA rebels surrender to the Army in Sultan Kudarat

PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat --- Five members of the New People's Army laid down their arms and surrendered to the Philippine Army at Midtungok village in Senator Ninoy Aquino town at about 4 p.m. last September 2.

Lt. Col. Harold M, Cabunoc, commanding officer of the 33rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion, said  the rebels belonged to the Platoon Myphone of Guerrilla Front 73 under Ka Macmac.

Among the surrenderees are Ome Digan, 48; Adot Digan, 30; Misuari Digan, 18; Siale Digan,16; and Eson Digan, 25. One of the surrenderees is a child warrior Siale, 16, who was recruited in 2015.

"The surrenderees turned over three firearms, including a Cal .30 M1 Garand, Cal 30 M2 Carbine, and a 40mm M79 Grenade Launcher," said Cabunoc.

Misuari Digan said he was recruited by Ka Macmac in Tupi Bato village in 2014.

"They promised me to retake our ancestral lands from outsiders so I joined to fight for my tribe," said Digan  who converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim girl in Palimbang town. He is among the trainees who finished a course in a rebel training camp that was seized by the 33rd Infantry Battalion last August 21.

Eson Digan was a leader of the NPA's communal farm in the upland village of Sitio Tupi Bato, Midtungok village.

"Ka Macmac promised me to erect a school for our tribe but it did not happen. They kept on asking food from us who worked in the farm. We ended up being wanted criminals because of our being NPA members," said Eson who has a three-yearr old child.

The surrenderees were presented to the local government of Sultan Kudarat  to receive the benefits given to former rebels.

Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, 6th Infantry Division chief, expressed his condemnation against the NPA for employing child warriors in waging violent attacks. (6TH ID – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MUNTREAL to submit status of assets of privatization and management

Members of the Municipal Treasurers League (MUNTREAL) of Maguindanao gathered last August 30 to discuss organizational matters as part of their monthly meeting. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY -- The Privatization and Management Office, through the treasurer of the Philippines,requested the members of the Municipal Treasurers League (MUNTREAL) of Maguindanao to submit the status of assetsof selected members under its jurisdiction.

Engr. TokanBrahim, president of MUNTREAL, said during a regular meeting last August 30 that the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Regional Office-12 inKoronadal City has already sent a communication to their respective mayors through their selected members last July 25.

“They sought our assistance to inform selected members of our organization to submit the status of assets of Privatization and Management Officer under their jurisdiction through this office or to the BTr Regional Office-12 in Koronadal City on or before August 21, 2017,” Engr. Brahim said.

The selected municipalities in Maguindanao include Ampatuan, Buluan, Sultan Mastura, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, DatuPaglas, DatuPiang, General Salipada K. Pendatun, Kabuntalan, ShariffAguak, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Pagalungan, Paglat, Parang, Rajah Buayan, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Sa Barongis, Talayan, and Upi. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)