ARMM budget sails through Senate committes

PASAY CITY ---  Representatives of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led by  Governor Mujiv Hataman faced last week the Senate Committee on Finance (sub-committee E) chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson to seek endorsement of the region's P33.469-B budget to the Senate plenary.

Senator Lacson and Senator Juan Mgiuel Zubiri were present during the interpellation of the ARMM budget.

During the hearing, allegations of corruption among local executives in the ARMM were raised by Zubiri.

Hataman raised the issue of jurisdiction since local government units are not legally required to submit reports to the ARMM when it comes to the units' expenditures.

"One thing I assure you: If the funds are part of the budget allocation for the ARMM, [...] ito nga po ang pangako ko lagi and I am proud to say this, kung meron isa at sabihin, merong project sa loob ng ARMM from 2012 nung naglilingkod na ako hanggang 2017, kahit isang metro na na-ghost, ipakita lang ang ebidensya, pwede ako bumitiw sa pwesto," Hataman replied.

The governor then cited Republic Act 9054 or the Organic Act of the ARMM and noted that the legislation does not provide for oversight powers when it comes to local government units in the region.

"'Yun 'yung defect ng batas, as a matter of policy, halimbawa mag-Bangsamoro Basic Law tayo ngayon kung gusto natin ng strong coordination," Hataman stressed.

Lacson notes DPWH efforts vs ghost projects

"'Yung map-based na electronic platform, that's good. In fact I endorsed it to the Development Budget Coordination Committee during their DBCC hearing na baka pwede ireplicate, gawin nang national," Lacson said in support of Hataman's claim regarding absence of ghost projects in the ARMM.

"That is very useful pagdating sa elimination ng ghost project because it's open to the public, [...] and the public has complete access dun sa mismong project and makikita mismo ang implementation," he said.

Lacson did inquire, however, if the quality of the projects implemented were at par with government standards.

"May dalawa kaming level ng monitoring and testing," Hataman replied. "One is the quality control managed by the regional Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) and, aside from that, the Office of the Regional Governor through the Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO), meron kaming tinatawag na Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) which is composed of civil society, our Regional Legislative Assembly [...] so ma-aassure ko 'yung quality," Hataman said.

Fighting corruption

After a rigorous line of questioning, Zubiri acknowledged Hataman's efforts towards good governance.

"I'd like to congratulate Governor Hataman for all these pro-active programs to combat corruption," Zubiri said. "Your candor is appreciated by this committee and I'm glad you said this because when you defend your budget on the floor, your candor in today's hearing will help us and guide us."

The ARMM budget proposals has been endorsed for the Senate plenary hearings, together with the budget proposals of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Mindanao Development Authority, and the Southern Philippines Development Authority. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

YOUTH PARTICIPATION (DENR)

YOUTH PARTICIPATION ---  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XII through the Youth Desk spearheaded a “Youth Desk School Visit and Environmental Campaign” last September 18, 2017 held at Koronadal Central Elementary School– II in Koronadal City. At least one-hundred thirty (130) students composed of Grade 4 and 6 have participated in the event with resource speakers coming from the DENR XII, Environmental Management Bureau XII, Mines and Geosciences Bureau XII and Kidlikasan.The lectures centered in the promotion of environmental protection. The one-day activity also encouraged the youth to take part on the various environmental programs of the department. (KHADIJA BAYAM BENPOLOK/ RPAO/ DENR XII - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Gadget tracks down criminals

SECURITY MEASURE --- 603rd Brigade Commander Col. Jesus Sarsagat (left) receives a "Face Recognition System" from Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, a special kind of gadget with an application that could easily track down criminals through facial identification/recognition. (CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- To further strengthen its security measures, the city government of Cotabato though mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi turned over to 603rd Brigade commander Col. Jesus Sarsagat a "Face Recognition System,” a special kind of gadget with an application that could easily track down criminals through facial identification or recognition.

Col. Sarsagat heads the Task Force Kutawato.

Present during the turn-over were National Intelligence Coordinating Agency- 12  Director Everly Bobot Tajanlangit, 5th Special Forces Battalion commander Lt. Col. James Uri, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director Juvenal Azurin, and some other unit commanders.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi is confident that with the city government, military, police,  the civilian populace, and all other stakeholders working together, Cotabato City would be safe from terror threats.

Just recently, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi signed Executive Order No. 222 or the Establishment of Common Boat Docking Areas along the Tamontaka River, Rio Grande de Mindanao, and Matampay River.

The move is in accord with the latest pronouncement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte regarding the high level of threat to the security in "Cotabato," but with no specific place mentioned here in Central Mindanao.

Under the executive order, the docking areas would regulate the entry of boats and other small water vessels to the city and prevent the possible smuggling of contrabands and other illegal items.

“Because a group of lawless elements is also known to travel by water, only a few number of areas are identified to be the docking areas of boats entering the city,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi stressed.

These barangays include Sitio Biniruan in Poblacion 9, Sitio Bucana in Kalanganan Mother, Purok 4 in Tamontaka 3, Barangay Kalanganan 2 (300 meters before the Grand Mosque), and Timako Hill.

“This is part of our continuing efforts to safeguard the city from any form of threats,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Kabuntalan observes 41st renaming anniversary

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT --- Mayor Salaban Diocolano (4th from right) welcomes guests and visitors to a  “kanduli” in observance of the town’s 41st Renaming Anniversary last September 22. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

KABUNTALAN, Maguindanao --- This local government adds another year of competence as it observes its 41st Renaming Anniversary last September 22 with a simple “kanduli” and recognition to the undying exemplary services of selected municipal officials, employees, and barangay officials.

The simple celebration was held outside the building of the new Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operation Center, which is one of the highlights of the recent accomplishment of the municipal government.

With the theme, “Kabuntalan 2017: Good Governance towards Sustainable Peace and Development,” Mayor Salaban Diocolano proudly announced that the town’s 17 barangays are now “drug-cleared”.

“This would not have happened without the full backing and support not only of our local officials, the military, and the PNP but also of the serious commitment of our barangay officials and the local populace themselves,” Mayor Diocolano said.

During the observance, Mayor Diocolano also awarded the top-three performing barangays and warded them with chairs, steel cabinets, and computer sets.

To recall, Tumbao was created into a municipal district during the governorship of Datu Udtog Matalam and became a full-pledge municipality on June 16, 1949 under  Executive Order No. 227 issued by then President Elpidio Quirino.

Datu Lauban Bakar, son of the first Sultan of Bagumbayan, was appointed the first mayor.

After his term, he was succeeded by Datu Carpenter Dumamba who later filed a resulotion changing the town’s name from Tumbao to Kabuntalan in memory of the first ruler and founder Datu Dikaya.

The word “Kabuntalan” literally means handsome or beautiful, and accordingly, the early inhabitants were models in manner, style, and culture.

On September 22, 1976, by virtue of the Presidential Decree No. 1010, Kabuntalan was officially adopted by the town as its official name.

Still in connection with the renaming anniversary, the local government also conducted tree planting along Baranagay Lower Taviran and Qur-anic Reading Exhibition. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SSB holds POC meeting

SAFETY --- Sultan Sa Barongis Mayor Ramdatu Angas presiding over the Municipal Peace and Order Council Meeting. (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN SA BARONGIS (SSB), Maguindanao --- This local government conducted its Peace and Order Council meeting last September 18 participated by the municipal officials and employees, the police, Philippine Army, as well as the 12 barangay chairmen and officials of the town.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said that due to their commitment toward drug-free communities, the peace and order remains stable in the locality.

He said: “At the level of the local PNP, the 12 barangays are now drug-free.”

“But we are still waiting for the pronouncement of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” Mayor Angas said.

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

As part of the local government’s commitment to eradicate drug activities, the municipal government previously conducted a barangay drug clearing lecture and consultation to further enlighten the community on the procedures of barangay drug-clearing operation. The one-day activity was participated by the 12 barangay chairmen of the town.

Junee Angas, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, encouraged her fellow chairmen to strengthen their measures to prevent the spread of illegal drug activities.

“Let us help one another in making a stand to fight illegal drugs,” she said.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Jabbar Mohammad emphasized that the conduct of barangay drug-clearing operations in drug-affected barangays shall be conducted in three phases.

“First would be the Pre-Operation Phase where the activities to be undertaken under this stage shall commence with laying the groundwork and bases for effective and sustainable clearing operations against drug-affected barangays. Second is the Operation Phase where the objective of the operation phase is the actual implementation of drug supply and demand reduction strategies in priority drug-affected barangays. The last one is the Post – Operation Phase which aims to maintain the drug cleared status of the barangays after drug-clearing operations through support activities to be funded from the general fund of the barangay,” Mohammad said.

Mohammad added that the classification of barangays are observed in determining the priority areas for clearing operations.

“First, the drug-unaffected barangay where it has not ever been plagued or beset by any illegal drug activities. Second, the drug-affected barangay where there is existence of drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator, or other drug personality, regardless of number. Third, the drug-cleared barangay where it is subjected to drug-clearing operations and declared free from any illegal drug activities,” Mohammad said.

        Further, it was learned from the PDEA that the parameters for declaring “drug-cleared” status of drugaffected barangays should be: 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  the Sangguniang Labataan 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.

Further, the municipal government continues to monitor the situation of the listed illegal drug surrenderees in the town so they will not be involved anymore in illegal drug activities.

“The prolonged peace and order stability somehow pays credit to the absence of illegal drugs within the locality,” Mayor Angas said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Tamontaka 4 ‘drug-cleared’

COMMITMENT --- Tamontaka 4 Barangay Chairman Dumugkao M. Mangelen receives certification from Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani- Sayadi as the first “drug cleared” barangay in the city. (CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city government continues with its commitment to establish drug-free communities following  the recent declaration of Barangay Tamontaka 4 as the first “drug cleared” barangay in Cotabato City.

The announcement was made after series of evaluations and tests, duly certified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The certification was handed over by City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani- Sayadi to Tamontaka 4 Barangay Chairman Dumugkao M. Mangelen with the presence of Cotabato City Police Director Victor Valencia, and representatives from the PDEA-ARMM, the Office on Health Services, Liga ng mga Barangay, and the field office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“Other barangays are also in line for clearing and soon Cotabato City will achieve its drug-free status,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

Barangay Chairman Mangelen said he is very proud of the barangay’s newest accomplishment.

“Ever since, the barangay has been encouraging everyone in the community to take a pro-active stance in the government’s fight against proliferation of illegal drugs,”  Mangelen said. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

PDEA declares drug-cleared barangays in DSA

DRUG-CLEARED --- Liga ng mga Barangay president and Barangay Salbu chairman Zaiton U. Dimaukom (4th from right) receives the certification as “drug-cleared” barangay from PDEA-ARMM Director Juvenal Azurin (3rd from left). (MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) declared last September 22 four barangays in this town as “drug-cleared.”

Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom said these barangays are Gawang, Dapiawan, Elian, and Salbu.

“We are very happy on this very recent accomplishment of our municipal government. Let me extend my heartfelt thanks to our PNP and military personnel, our local government and barangay officials, and as well as to our local populace. We will not reach this far in our campaign without your help,” Mayor Dimaukom said.

The awarding of certificate was handed over by PDEA-ARMM Director Juvenal Azurin at the GAD Hall.

Momina Guialudin, Municipal Local Government Operations officer, said the conduct of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operations of drug-affected barangays shall be conducted in three phases.

“There are three phases. The Pre-Operation Phase, Operation Phase and the Post – Operation,” Guialudin said.

Guialudin added there are classifications of barangays which are observed in determining the priority areas for clearing operations. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MUNTREAL Maguindanao capacitates members

COURTESY --- Bureau of Local Government Finance XII OIC Regional Director Aida D. Abregana (seated, center) visits the MUNTREAL Maguindanao office for the first time during its monthly meeting last September 18. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- Selected members of the Municipal Treasurers League (MUNTREAL) in Maguindanao are slated to undergo Basic Operations on Local Treasury Service (BOLTS) training in Manila.

Engr. Tokan Brahim, president of MUNTREAL, said during their monthly meeting last September 18 that the training is part of their instituting professional development and capacity build-up program.

“This training is significant so that our municipal treasurers can perform well with their respective tasks,” Brahim said.

Aida D. Abregana, OIC Regional Director of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) XII, said that MUNTREAL members shall also undergo the Basic Competency for Local Treasury Examination (BCLTE).

Abregana, who only assumed office recently as the head of the BLGF XII, visited the MUNTREAL Maguindanao office in Cotabato City for the very first time.

She said: “I am amazed that the organization here is very active.”

“The Department of Finance (DOF) is requiring all permanent and designated provincial, city, and municipal treasurers and assistant treasurers to take the Basic Competency for Local Treasurers Exam to make sure they are qualified for their position,” Abregana said.

Applicants are required to personally register at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office for municipal applicants and at the Bureau of Local Government Finance Regional Office for provincial and city applicants.

The BCLTE and the accompanying Ethics-Oriented Personality Test shall be administered by the DOF and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

It was learned that the DOF, in cooperation with the CSC, aims to further professionalize and benchmark the competencies of local treasury officers in the spirit of good fiscal governance and local public financial management through a competency-assessment examination.

The exam is mandatory for all permanent and designated provincial, city, and municipal treasurers and assistant treasurers. Other local employees, particularly from the local treasury or accounting office, may also take the BCLTE as a qualifying examination, provided that they already meet the minimum requirements for treasurer or assistant-treasurer position as prescribed by the Local Government Code. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Crime volume in city decreases

CHANGE OF COMMAND --- Senior Superintendent Rolly Octavio (right) is the new police director of the Cotabato City Police Office, replacing Senior Superintendet Victor Valencia. The turn-over ceremony was held at the South Seas Convention Hall last September 22 following the regular Peace and Order Council meeting. The CCPO also received additional 120 police personnel from the Police Regional Office-12 to augment the anti-crime efforts of the city police. “We are very lucky to have them here,” City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- “The crime volume in this city drastically dropped to 60.35 percent for the 3rd Quarter of 2017,” outgoing City Police Director Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia said during the Peace and Order Council meeting last September 22 held at the South Seas Convention Hall.

Valencia said the decrease in crime volume was a product of the police, Armed Forces, local government unit, and community partnership working towards a crime-free and harmonious environment.

“The city government’s support in terms of personnel, logistical, and financial resources greatly enhanced the police capability in combating street crimes,” Valencia said.

Valencia added that security concerns of the community via social media are also a great help for these have been immediately brought to the attention of the city mayor and then relayed to the forces on the ground for quick police response.

“For the time being, a sense of security is assured to every Cotabateňo though we do not discount the constant threat of terrorism and atrocities from lawless elements – those are kept at bay through community vigilance and target hardening measures,” Valencia said.

Valencia said the city police is grateful on the continuous support from the local government unit, non-government organizations, and AFP counterparts as well as business and religious sectors and other stake holders to further strengthen security and the peace and order situation.

“We do this collaborative effort in combating the local terrorist groups and other criminal elements which continuously threaten the peace and tranquility of our society,” Valencia said.

Further, Valencia said the prevailing situation is normal and under manageable condition and considered as business as usual, thus, “we could say that our city is a safer place to live, work, and do business with.”

Following the Peace and Order Council meeting was the change of command in the Cotabato City Police Office.

Senior Superintendent Rolly Octavio is now the city police director replacing Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia.

The CCPO also received additional 120 police personnel from the Police Regional Office-2 to augment the peace keeping efforts of the city police. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)