Editorial

The challenge behind SGLG

A number of local government units in Region XII bagged the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance or SGLG. Cotabato City is one of the awardees as it exceeded the core and essential areas of governance, which are the criteria for the citation. The award system helps push people or organization to excel in performance because of incentives and prestige. It draws attraction for social and economic development because governance is at best which developers and investors find wanting.

We give credit to whom it is due --- our local government officials and people behind governance and the support of the various sectors who would not settle for less we could have. We want our city to make a mark and most liveable. Look for yourselves. The core areas are peace and order, financial administration, social protection, and disaster preparedness. Other than these are the essential areas: environmental management; business friendliness and competitiveness; and tourism, culture, and arts. We touched these marks… we did it.

Services are in place as we feel secure, our coffer is safe and sound, the care for the vulnerable sectors are attended to, and disaster program is at readiness but hoping disaster would not dampen us when it comes but always responsive for the worst. Our city has also been cited as child friendly besides being business friendly and competitive. For these feats, we have received the awards and made a name for our city. Now, the support institutions and sectors and we ourselves have to manage and sustain such core and essential areas; not because there are awards but because we want our city to flourish and fully develop. The SGLG marker and financial award attest to the growing performance of our local government and responsive communities. As our mayor, Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, has said, these feats are of the people and for the people… our support, cooperation, and enthusiasm must be full and given. After all, Cotabato City is the place we live, our own habitat, our own pride.

As we continually grow, challenges further lie ahead and we must readily be abreast with the challenges of social and cultural change. We have to be adaptive or responsive to situations as mere contentment, apathy, or indifference would only leave ushelpless or fall prey to the effects of culture lag. We have to move in the momentum of change as the world hurdles the demands of time and to solve social problems. A change in one necessitates a change in another. We have to be part of the chain of change if we want our lots sustainable and manageable.

The core and essential areas of governance is on our hands as we are all social, cultural, political, economic, and religious human beings. We are the institutions ourselves and we make them that dynamic for our sake.

Be proud and be part of the award system our city can get and achieve. Let’s celebrate the feat.

City zero in maternal, neonatal tetanus

Cotabato City is once again recognized in the health field as it receives an award from the Department of Health because of its attainment of zero maternal and neonatal tetanus.

The only local government unit given this recognition in the whole Region XII, Cotabato City has successfully eliminated the cases of mothers and new born babies being infected by tetanus, according to the DOH.

The city LGU, through the efforts of its Office on Health Services, has achieved this goal through its intensive information dissemination and thorough care for pregnant women in the city.

This year, it has also opened several state-of-the-art birthing facilities in different parts of the city. These clinics receive patients on a daily basis, decongesting the hospitals in the city.

More are expected to open next year (2018).

The Cotabato City LGU implements inclusive programs that take care of every citizen's needs. Aside from constant development in infrastructure and other government facilities, it also aims to deliver top-notch social and economic services to every Cotabateño.

Due to its performance, the city government has received many recognitions,  the Seal of Good Local Governance being the latest.

With the continuous support that received from the national line-agencies and with the concerted effort of every official and employee of the local government, it can truly achieve more.

The promise of glory and progress for Cotabato City is now within reach. (CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO -MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

DSA conducts relief operation to displaced families

RELIEF OPERATION --- Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom (inset) led the relief operation to displaced families caused by conflict of warring families. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY TARHATA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- This municipal government conducted a relief operation last December 6 to the displaced families caused by warring families from Barangays Madia and Elian.

Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom said some 2,000 individuals have been displaced due to armed conflict between the families of Sindatuk and Adam.

Mayor Dimaukom said the relief package is composed of rice, noodles, and sardines.

“The LGU is closely monitoring the situation. The conflict has affected our four barangays: Madia, Gawang, Dapiawan, and Elian,” Mayor Dimaukom said.

Akmad Donia, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) officer, said during interview that tension  erupted last December 2 at around 5:45p.m.

“An encounter took place at Sitio Badak in Barangay Madia and the tension grew few days later. In this regard, the Sangguniang Bayan has declared the town under State of Calamity last December 06, 2017,” Donia said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Guindulungan LGU pushes for drug-cleared barangays

GUINDULUNGAN, Maguindanao --- This municipal government continues its drive for drug-free communities.

Mayor Midpantao M. Midtimbang, Jr. said that the municipal government has previously listed several drug-affected barangays but are now subject for “drug clearing.”

“These barangays are still subject todrug-clearing and it has been our goal ever since to have drug-free Guindulungan,” Mayor Midtimbang said.

Mayor Midtimbangsaid they have evaluatedthe barangays last month and hopefully after they comply with all the necessary requirements, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency or PDEA will soon declare some barangays as drug-cleared barangays.

“We are targeting at least at the end of the month or by early January in 2018,” Mayor Midtimbang said.

According to the PDEA, a village can be declared “drug-cleared” or free from illegal drug activities if it meets these six requirements: non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug den, pusher, user; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; existence of drug awareness, preventive education, and information; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

The requirements are mandated under Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 3 series of 2017.

The DDB regulation prescribes three phases of clearing drug-affected barangays. The “pre-operation phase” starts with the laying of groundwork and bases for effective and sustainable clearing operations. House clusters are to be organized with designated cluster leader in each barangay, that will directly report to the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) chairperson all essential facts of any illegal drug activities within his/her cluster such as names of pushers or users, marijuana cultivation activities, clandestine laboratory operations, and other drug-related data. City or municipal anti-drug abuse council and local police unit will then formulate and validate a watch list of drug personalities in every barangay.

The “operation phase” is the actual implementation of drug supply and demand reduction strategies in priority drug-affected barangays, while “post-operation phase” aims to maintain the “drug-cleared” status of barangays, through support activities to be funded from the general fund of the barangay.

In the issuance of drug-clear certificate, the DDB Regulation further directs the establishment of oversight committees which are responsible in declaring a barangay as drug-free after satisfying all parameters.

Guindulungan was created under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 139 on March 31, 2003, and was carved out of the municipality of Talayan. It is politically subdivided into 11 barangays: Ahan, Bagan, Datalpandan, Kalumamis, Kateman, Lambayao, Macasampen, Muslim, Muti, Sampao, and Tambunan II.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM peace council passes anti-terror, drug ops resolutions

A resolution mandating local government units in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to have a regular allocation for traditional madaris was passed during the 4th Regional Peace and Order Council meeting in Cotabato City last December 4.

This resolution complements the recent drafting of the Unified Standard Curriculum for the Traditional Weekend Madrasah by the regional Bureau of Madaris. Together, these provides a strong foundation for a values-based education in the region grounded on true Islamic beliefs and teachings.

It is one of four resolutions that were passed during the meeting, all targeting terrorism and drugs in the region.

One resolution was passed to request the Supreme Court to designate special courts that will handle drug cases in the five ARMM provinces, while the other two resolutions were dedicated to the creation of an Anti-Terrorism Task Force and a Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

The memorandum regarding the nation-wide anti-drug abuse campaign issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government only mandates that anti-drug abuse councils be established at the various local government levels. Considering the autonomous nature of the ARMM, establishing a council at the regional level is being eyed.

Governor Mujiv Hataman presided over the meeting with members of the RPOC, including Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega of the 6th Infantry Division, and Col. Gene Ponio of the 1st Infantry Division.

During the meeting, the Police Regional Office-ARMM also discussed the latest crime statistics in the region, along with rido (family feud), kidnapping cases, insurgency, and other related incidents. Updates regarding threats posed by groups espousing violent extremism in the region were provided by representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-ARMM discussed the ongoing drug-clearing operations across the ARMM. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Cotabato City, Parang to forge “sisterhood”

TIES --- Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi was visited by Parang Mayor Dr. Ibrahim Ibay, along with the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, last December 6 with the intent to strengthen economic partnership. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

The Cotabato City government and the Municipality of Parang in Maguindanao province are gearing towards a partnership that would strengthen their economic ties.

During courtesy visit at the People’s Palace last December 6,  Parang Mayor Dr. Ibrahim Ibay, along with the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi discussed the possibility of signing a “sisterhood agreement” between  the two local government units to push for their common interest, especially on economic development, employment, and peace and order.

The two leaders have agreed in principle to convince their respective legislative body to pass a resolution that would declare a “sisterhood” relationship between the two LGUs.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi and Mayor Ibay were former colleagues in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government, the former being the solicitor-general and the latter an assemblyman and Speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly and later, executive director of the Regional Budget and Management Office.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said an institutionalized partnership and cooperation of Cotabato City and Parang, Maguindanao, which are neighbors, are necessary as they move to exchange capacity-building in terms of economic development initiatives, job opportunities for their constituents, and peace and order.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi cited as example the efforts of the city government to ensure that at least 80 percent of the workers in all the newly opened malls and shopping centers in the city are residents here.

She said if there is an existing sisterhood relationship of the two LGUs, the city governmentmay include qualified residents of Parang town in its priority for employment.

Sultan Kudarat municipality, an adjacent municipality, is a sister municipality of Cotabato City, and is also an SGLG awardee just like Parang.

For his part, Mayor Ibay also expressed their willingness to help provide suitable area in Parang which will serve as dump site for the solid waste of Cotabato City.

The two mayors also expressed willingness to share with each other the best practices of their respective LGUs. Both LGUs are recipient of the Seal of Good Local Governance 2017 award.

They also vowed to help each other in combating illegal fishing in the Illana Bay, of which they share common water boundary. (City Government of Cotabato - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ENTERPRISE

ENTERPRISE --- The Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is set to conduct series of programs as the year ends. DTI-ARMM Secretary Anwar Malang said during a press briefing last December 5 that these programs will focus on the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises and halal business in the region. The programs include the ARMM Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Summit on December 12, the Agro-Industrial Forum on December 13, and the Halal Chevon Stakeholders Workshop on December 18. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COMPETENCE

COMPETENCE --- The populace of Rajah Buayan are thrilled following the awarding of Rajah Buayan local government unit with the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance.It received the award together with the 19 municipal government awardees in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER --- Members of the Kilusang Pagbabago from the municipalities of Buldon, Shariff Aguak, and Mamasapano in Maguindanao gathered last December 7 at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City to show support to the last phase of the nation-wide Biyaya ng Pagbabago Caravan. The Biyaya ng Pagbabago or “Biyaya ng Pagbabago tungo sa Masagana at Matiwasay na Buhay Pilipino” is a national anti-poverty program of President Rodrigo Duterte aimed at bringing the several national poverty alleviation programs down to the communities or the grassroots level. The caravan, initiated by several agencies under the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, commenced from Luzon, all the way to Visayas, and is now on its last stopover - Mindanao.  The President was set to formally launch on December 9 the Biyaya ng Pagbabago program in Davao City. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Cotabato City bags 2017 SGLG award

SIGAY KA, COTABATO CITY --- City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi is thrilled after she received the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance award, the most coveted recognition given to local governments that excel in governance and public service. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MANILA --- The city government of Cotabato proves its outstanding good governance as it is awarded the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

During the awarding ceremony held in Manila City in November 29, no less than City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi received the most coveted recognition given to local government units that excel in governance and public service.

She was joined by some of the city's department heads who were instrumental during the assessment period held earlier this year.

The SGLG is an award given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to LGUs that passed the criteria and parameters of the recognition. The four core areas of governance that the LGU must pass are: Peace and Order, Financial Administration, Social Protection, and Disaster Preparedness. Furthermore, it must also pass at least one of these essential areas: Environment Management, Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, and Tourism, Culture, and Arts.

According to the DILG, Cotabato City not only passed the core areas, it has also succeeded in surpassing the requirements of the essential areas. This made Cotabato City qualified to receive the 2017 SGLG award.

Proud and honored, City Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said the local government of Cotabato, under her administration, is inspired and motivated to give the best of its services to her constituents.

She also believes that with the fast changing times, the city LGU must be able to make adaptations for it to be able to equal the services of Cotabato City to the demands and needs of the people.

"We are very proud but still this award is only a bonus. What really matters is that our constituents are satisfied with the services they receive from us. Their welfare is always our top priority," the mayor said.

This year, 27 percent of the LGUs in the whole country were awarded the SGLG, higher than the 18 percent that had been awarded last year.

In Region XII, three cities --- Cotabato, Kidapawan, and Tacurong --- were awarded the SGLG this year. (CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Kabuntalan is SGLG awardee

KABUNTALAN, Maguindanao--- After passing all the assessment criteria, this municipal government has proven its competency after it was awarded with the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in rites held recently in Manila.

The Kabuntalan LGU, headed by Mayor DatuSalaban G. Diocolano, emerged one of the 19 municipal government awardees in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The ARMM has also one city awardee, Lamitan City.

“We are happy with our newest achievement and we could not have made this possible without the efforts of our department heads and employees. I also offer this award to our barangay officials on their unwavering support to win peaceful communities and to our populace who have been very cooperative,” Mayor Diocolanosaid.

According to the DILG, the SGLG symbolizes integrity and good performance through continuing governance reform and sustained local development. The SGLG is a progressive assessment system adopted by the Department to give distinction to remarkable local government performance across several areas.

For this year, 81 provinces, 145 cities, and 1,489 municipalities were subjected to the assessment by the DILG.

The SGLG is considered as one of the highest achievements of a local government unit. It is awarded annually by the DILG to deserving LGUs across the country that are able to meet the much stricter “4+1” assessment criteria.

This 2017, for a local government unit to be awarded the highly-coveted Seal, it needs to pass all of the four core areas: Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection, and Peace and Order; and at least one  of these areas: Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness; Environmental Protection; and Tourism, Culture, and the Arts.

Along with the SGLG Marker, which stands proof of a responsible, efficient, and corruption-free governance, the SGLG 2017 recipients are also set to receive cash incentives from the DILG. The cash incentives will be used by the awardees to finance their local development projects.

The Seal of Good Local Governance is guided by the provisions of Republic Act 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the General Appropriations Act of 2017, and Administrative Order No. 267 of 1992. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DAR turns over projects to Pagalungan, Kabuntalan towns

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT --- DAR-ARMM Secretary Dayang Carlsum Sangkula-Jumaide (3^rd from right) turns over to Mayor Salik Mamasabulod the Inug-ug and Kudal Farm-to-Market Roads during a ceremony last December 4 in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. They are joined by Maguindanao Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Tommy Biruar. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY ANNE ACOSTA MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded the turn-over of Inug-ug and Kudalfarm-to-market roads (FMRs) last December 4 in Pagalungan, Maguindanao.

The Inug-ug FMR is a one-kilometer rehabilitation with single barrel box culvert while the Kudal FMR is a 250-meter concretion. It would benefit two barangays covering 811 Agrarian Reform Partners (ARPs), formerly known as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), making a convenient transportation of goods and competitive prices at its best.

Further, it is identified as beneficiary of the Italian Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Program (IARCDSP) in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Pagalungan under the leadership of Mayor Salik Mamasabulod.

Dayang Carlsum Sangkula-Jumaide, regional secretary of DAR-ARMM, led the ceremonial turn-over together with Maguindanao Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Tommy BiruarasMayor Mamasabulod joined the ceremony.

“The FMRs will surely open investment opportunities in the area. It will also possibly increase the number of agricultural areas for production growth and reduction of hauling cost,” Sangkula-Jumaide said.

Another turn-over ceremony for the Ganta-Gambar FMR took place last December 7 at Barangay Ganta in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao.

The activity was attended by DAR-ARMM Assistant Secretary Sampaco A. Mamainte together with Maguindanao PARO Tommy Biruar, officials of LGU Kabuntalan, representatives of the UN World Food Programme, and partners from the AFP and PNP.

The completion of the construction of the three-kilometer Ganta-Gambar FMR benefiting the Matilak Agrarian Reform Community was implemented under the DAR-Agrarian Reform Communities Project II (DAR-ARCP II) with counterpart from the local government unit of Kabuntalan and the assistance of the World Food Program.

Assistant Secretary Mamainte said the FMR project is a product of thel partnership between the department and the local government unit with the aim of uplifting the economic condition of the constituents of Kabuntalan, especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries.

“The project will hopefully promote sustainable development, address food security program of the government, and help achieve a more rapid reduction in poverty as it will enable farmers an access to inexpensive transportation of goods to various markets with ease and expediency. I encourage the constituents and ARBs to take good care of the FMR as the proper maintenance of it is a determinant for more projects in the future,” Mamainte said.

For his part, Kabuntalan Municipal Mayor Salaban G. Diocolano expressed gratitude to the agrarian reform department.

“This is a big help to our community,” Mayor Diocolano said.(GILMHAR A. LAO with DAR-ARMM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)