DepEd holds Brigada Eskwela in Marawi City

SCHOOL REHAB MOVEMENT --- DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and DepEd-ARMM Secretary Dr. John Magno (center) lead the convergent Brigada Eskwela in Marawi City which started last December 13. (PHOTO BY BPI-ARMM - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY ---The Department of Education (DepEd) brought together volunteers and resources from its offices nation-wide as it launched Brigada Eskwela in Marawi City last December 13.

The volunteers repaired, painted, and cleaned some of the schools that were damaged by the five-month fighting in the war-torn city.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones and DepEd-ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) Secretary Dr. John Magno led the Brigada Eskwela covering 16 schools in the city.

Volunteers came from various DepEd offices across the country. The activity is a joint effort among DepEd offices nation-wide, with the regional offices in Mindanao providing the manpower and the Visayas and Luzon regional offices providing the resources.

Marawi City has a total of 69 schools, 22 of which were totally damaged in the war affecting more than 62,000 students who were enrolled in public and private schools as well as in state universities and colleges.

In November, the DepEd-ARMM started to repair seven damaged schools in Marawi City and 54 others in various parts of Lanao del Sur. “The (initial) budget for the repair, which is over P34 million, came from the regular program of the DepEd,” said AlfhadarPajiji, DepEd-ARMM assistant secretary.

Schools where Brigada Eskwela was launched last December 13 were:Bito Elementary School; Rorogagus Elementary School; Mipagaga Elementary School; Pendolonan Elementary School; Abdulazis Elementary School;Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School; Sugod Central Elementary School; Sultan Conding Elementary School; Sikap Elementary School;

Banga Primary School; Cabingan Primary School; Datu Tambak Primary School; Basak Elementary School; Pandi Elementary School; Marawi City National High School; and Amai Pakpak Elementary School.

“Education must continue. Let’s all give quality education to the learners. The Department of Education will help rebuild damaged schools here in Marawi City,” Secretary Briones said.

She also underscored the need to provide psycho-social assistance not just for the students but also for displaced teachers.

“Di naming pababayaan ang Marawi City. Umpisa lamang ito. Hindi natin ititigil ang Brigada Eskwela hanggang hindi natin matapos maayos ang lahat ng paaralan sa Marawi,” she added.

Jomairah Noor, 5^th grade student of Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak, said: “Nagpapasalamat po kami, dahil nakikita naming na hindi kami pinapabayaan. Marami po tumutulong sa amin.”

“Sana po hindi na ulit magkagulo dito sa Marawi paratuluy-tuloy na pag-aaral namin at para maging Masaya nakaming lahat dito,” she added.

Tanjirea Mascara, Grade 6 teacher in Amai Pakpak Elementary School, reiterated the challenge of teaching students who are victims of the siege.

"Ang challenge para sa amin ngayon ay kami mismo mga teacher ay biktima din ng kaguluhan. Imbes na umiyak ako at magmukmok, kailangan ipakita sa mga estudyante naming namatatag kami. Kailangan turuan at tulungan yung mga bata na maging matatag sa kabila ng mga nangyari,” Mascara said.

“At kailangan naming gawin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para tulungan ang mga bata na ipagpatuloy ang pagaaral dahil napakahalaga ito para makamit ang kanilang pangarap sa buhay,”she added.

Meanwhile, the DepEd-ARMM said it is continuously monitoring the situation of students and teachers affected by the Marawi crisis. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

TRIBUTE

TRIBUTE --- The municipal government of Pagalungan gathered some 180 persons with disabilities last December 14 at the municipal gymnasium in observance of the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” The program highlighted the contribution of PWDs in the society. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DSA holds interfaith security, economic summit

VIGILANCE MOVEMENT --- Local officials, authorities, religious leaders, and populace joined the one-day Interfaith Security and Economic Summit last December 14 held at the municipal gymnasium of Datu Saudi Ampatuan with the aim to address the emergence of violent extremism and terrorism. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTOS BY ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- Hundreds of local officials and Moro religious leaders in this townand nearby municipalities gathered last December 14 for a one-day Interfaith Security and Economic Summit held at the municipal gymnasium of this town.

Mayor Bai Anida A. Dimaukom said the activity aims at addressing the emergence of violent extremism and terrorism.

She said the theme of the summit is “Correct Understanding of Respective Faith: A Key against Extremism, Terrorism and Illegal Drugs for Peace and Progress.”

Brig. Gen.Diosdado C. Carreon, commander of the 601^st Brigade of the Philippine Army, said the stakeholders’ participation in the government’s campaign against terrorism is important to save the less educated people from various communities.

“We are open to the opinions and suggestions of Moro elders and religious leaders on how to effectively address the issue,” Brig. Gen.Carreon said.

“The safety of every Maguindanaon is our utmost priority,” he further said.

Vice-Mayor Bailon S. Dimaukom said they have also sought the opinion of religious leaders on matters directly affecting public security.

Further, also discussed during the summit was the current war on illegal drugs by the Duterte administration, which, according to Mayor Dimaukom, has been producing good results in the municipality.

Mayor Dimaukom said their aim is to spread the true teachings of Islam.

Aso in attendance during the event were DarulIfta Grand Mufti Sheikh Abo Huraira Udasan, Lt. Col.Markton G. Abu of the 6^thID, Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado, Jr., OMI, Lt. Col. Alvin G. Iyog of the 2^ndMechanical Battalion, Datu  Salibo Mayor Norodin Salasal, a representative from the local government of Datu Piang, Ustadz Mohammad Said Akmad, Eduardo Diestro, Pastor Juvinal Tenorio, and Ustadz Zainudin Mento. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Cotabato City celebrates Shariff Kabunsuan 2017

“THE COMING” is one of the highlights in the celebration of Shariff Kabunsuan Festival 2017, a musical theatre play that portrays the arrival of Johorian missionary Shariff Kabunsuan to the island of Mindanao to spread the religion of Islam. The play, under the direction of local genius artist, Datu Omar Sharief Patadon, was staged last December 16at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city government is on high spirits as it celebrates once more the annual Shariff Kabunsuan Festival every December 15 to 19, which features the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan in Mindanao.

Upon his arrival from Johore, Malaysia to Cotabato, Kabunsuan had nothing but wanted to achieve his goal and that was to perform his vocation: to introduce and spread Islamic faith.

Natives during those times, who happened to be of royal descent, welcomed the missionary and served as key players in the spread of Islam and establishment of the sultanate.

During opening of the week-long Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said the event is all about faith anchored on unity, respect, love, and peaceful co-existence among people.

In a simple yet colorful, joyful, and meaningful opening ceremony of the yearly festival held at the ground of the People’s Palace, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi called on  Cotabateños to renew and further strengthen their bond as a people who are united to attain a common dream of a progressive, peaceful, and vibrant Cotabato City.

“The Coming,” a theatre play that portrayed the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan to the island of Mindanao to spread the religion of Islam was one of the highlights of the festival.

This play featured the talented young Cotabateños who underwent an audition sometime last September. This activity was made possible through the initiative of the city’s Tourism Promotion Board (TPB) with the support of the city government of Cotabato.

Datu Omar Sharief Patadon, TPB Board of Director on socio-cultural committee and director of the theatre play, said the TPB was tasked by the city government of Cotabato to be the specific in-charge of this significant activity.

“It is not a usual play, but a musical play with a touch of artistry in it. The play feature the rich culture --- heritage, traditions, and values --- of our forefathers during the era,” Patadon said.

Apart from “The Coming,” other activities include the ShariffKabunsuan Bazaar, ASEAN Culinary Competition, Mini-Guinakit Competition, Kulintang Awards, Halal Forum, Kuyog Streetdancing and Showcase Competition, Inaul Cultural Weaves, Quar’An Reading, Colors of Cotabato, Grand Cultural Parade, Guinakit Fluvial, Grand Pagana, Banggala Fashion Show, and "Pinta" (Two-Men Painting Exhibition).

Further, in the midst of the present security and social problems on violent extremism, Mayor Guiani stressed that Cotabateños should not allow “some wicked elements or groups” to destroy Cotabato City.

“Let us further fortify our unity in defense against wicked elements whose aim is to sow disunity, conflict, fear, and terror,” she said.

She said Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan came to Kutawatu then, now Cotabato City, in the 16th century for the primary purpose of spreading faith “anchored on social and economic development; faith anchored on unity, cooperation, respect, love, and peaceful co-existence.”

She saidt hat Sharif fKabunsuan never taught our forefathers to sow or propagate fear or terror.

“As we celebrate the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, let us not forget the efforts and sacrifices of our forefathers – inspired by the teachings and examples of Shariff Kabunsuan – that eventually led to the transformation of our city into a growing metropolitan area, the lady mayor said, who herself is also a direct descendant of Shariff Muhammad Kabunsuan.(GILMHAR A. LAO WITH SAMSON GOGO- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

PRO-ACTIVE

PRO-ACTIVE and vigilant, city government officials and employees, religious sector, academe, and other members of the community came together last December 11 for a peace rally to call each and everyone to advocate peace and prevent extremist ideologies.  The rally also served as a place of discourse and awareness building about the real concept of Islamic religion, the root cause of terrorism, and terrorism itself.  (COTABATO CITY GOVERNMENT - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SSB holds joint MPOC,MADAC, MDRRMC meetings

COUNCIL MEETINGS --- Sultan Sa Barongis Mayor Ramdatu Angas leads the joint Municipal Peace and Order Council, Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meetings last December 4. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY ANNE ACOSTA- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN SA BARONGIS, Maguindanao --- This municipal government  conducted last December 4 its joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC), Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MRRMC) meetings at the Sangguniang Bayan session hall in a bid to further ensure the security and stability of the municipality.

Mayor RamdatuAngas led the meeting with the presence of municipal and barangay officials together with other local authorities.

“We are that happy that Sultan Sa Barongis is generally peaceful,” the mayor said.

OIC Chief of Police PO1 Reynante Quinilayo reported on the peace and order situation of the town, revealing that the municipal government has prepared a Peace and Order and Public Safety plan for FY 2017-2019.

“Included in the plan is to address pressing issues such as the presence of threat groups and family feuds,” Quinilayo said.

The police officer emphasized their intent to have increased awareness and participation of communities to maintain a peaceful community.

40th IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Edgar L. Catu presented an update on peace and security.

Assistant Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Sittie Jay Amnah D. Baraguir reported about the MADAC while MDRRMO Paisal A. Maulana updated the body on  the DRRM situation.

As to the DRRM, the town continues to experience 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.

Mayor Angas said the flood water easily rise in the town,most especially in the five low-lying barangays of Paldong, Barurao, Gadungan, Papakan, and Kulambog.

“This is what usually happens when Ala River rises due to the torrential rain in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. Should it rain up there in the mountains of these provinces, we will be flooded for sure,” he said.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

ARMM holds MSME summit

CULTURAL ITEMS have been in display during the conduct of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Summit held December 12 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. (BPI-ARMM – MINDANAO EXPOSE’

COTABATO CITY --- The Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC) held last December 12 its first ARMM MSME Summit.

The event was intended to help advance the promotion and development of micro, small, and medium enterprises in the region by empowering local entrepreneurs and providing them with information on the latest trends in the local and global markets.

The DTI-ARMM also aims at assisting the MSMEs in overcoming issues and challenges they face in the region through the summit.

The 10 most promising MSMEs in the ARMM were awarded with plaques of recognition during the program.

Regional governor MujivHataman said one of the major economic strategies in the ARMM’s Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 is the promotion and development of MSMEs.

“Handa po ang regional government na tumulong sa inyong mga maliliit na negosyo, pero ang pakiusap namin, gawin natin itong negosyo hindi lamang para sa ating mga sarili, kundi pantulong narin sa ating komunidad, lipunan, sa ating rehiyon at sa buong bansa,” he said.

The summit carried the theme: “Moving Forward through PESO-PRIDE, or People Empowerment through Social Enterprise – Poverty Reduction by Industry Development and Entrepreneurship.”

The summit gathered hundreds of delegates from the ARMM’s five provinces — Maguindanao, Lanaodel Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi — and other neighboring areas.

The summit’s participants come from MSMEs, local government units, the academe, business support organizations, partner government agencies, chambers of commerce and industry, and MSMED councils.

Also present during the program were ARMM Regional Vice-Governor HarounAlrashidLucman, Office of the Regional Governor ARMM Chief-of-Staff Atty. RasolMitmug, Jr., DTI-ARMM Secretary Atty. Anwar Malang, and Director Jerry Clavesillas of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

The summit was one of the programs organized by the DTI-ARMM before the year ends. Other events conducted were the Agro-Industrial Forum and the Halal Chevon Stakeholders Workshop set December 13 and 18, respectively.

Recently, the department has granted P100,000 seed funding and mentoring support to each of the five winners of its first Social Enterprise Ideation Camp. The five winners are Langkit Weaving, Halal Organic Agricrops Production, and Anaya Solutions, all from the province of Lanao del Sur; Center for Integrated Organic Farming System from Maguindanao; and There is Hope in Daing from Basilan province.

The ideation camp was held in partnership with the Strengthening Civil Society Participation in Social Enterprise Education Development. (Bureau of Public Information– ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)