Editorial

Behind the gift: 2018 budget & TRAIN

President Duterte signed and offered the 2018 P3.77 trillion budget and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN as gifts for the Filipino people. These we hope would reach the intended parties through proper management and utilization of funds which are people’s money.

What are in store for us? The budget includes additional remunerations for the men in uniform: the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. We pray that they continue to be our defenders and keepers of the peace with vowed professionalism. Other civil personnel would get a pay hike by tranches. This also covers free tuition for students in state universities and colleges and we pray they become more scholarly and committed to their respective careers. Here’s hoping that those in the private sector will also get their corresponding pay increases.

The budget also covers widened infrastructure projects, era of golden infrastructures, and social services to mention health and economic upliftment plus additives to the Conditional Cash Transfer program, one of which is the 4Ps for indigent families so they can go through their lives and be better off in the long run.

One package under the TRAIN is exempting from taxation for those earning not more than P250,000 a year. We hope that income earners would use the huge savings for good --- emergency fund and future investment. But we have to brace for higher price ceilings following added excise taxes on commodities such as sweetened beverages and petroleum products. This would affect sales and consumption. Never mind those addicted to cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, and sweets whose prices will further spiral up but health is wealth guys. Transport groups are now asking for higher pay hike and motorists will carry the brunt of higher fuel prices. These added excise taxes will earn for us the necessary revenues essential for public services. This means responsible spending and wise and practicable use of earnings.

If the 2018 budget is meant for better public service, then it is a gift. Of course, we desist imposition of more taxes but revenues have to be raised to further fill the coffer for expenditures in public service. So be prudent in spending and check if revenues land to their intended destinations. Life is full of adjustments and we have to give meaning to these changes, adjustments, or alterations.

Are the 2018 budget and TRAIN really pro-people and pro-poor? Let’s see when we cruise another year.

Police watchful on 2018 revelry

Agustin J. Tello

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao --- The Maguindanao Police Provincial Office (PPO) assured the public of widened police visibility until the New Year’s eve to further ensure peace and order in the entire province, most especially within the SPMS box areas.

Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, Maguindanao police provincial director, said during a recent interview of Mindanao Expose' that the PNP is committed in dealing with indiscriminate firing of guns on New Year’s eve to protect innocent lives of potential victims.

“Rest assured that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be on the streets of the province’s 36 towns during the New Year ’seveto patrol and arrest those who will be caught using their firearms,”  Tello said.

He appealed to the public to help the police in their campaign against indiscriminate firing of guns to prevent fatal accidents.

“You may report those individuals who use their firearms on New Year’s celebration,” he added.

Tello encouraged the public to peacefully welcome 2018 and greet everyone with a “prosperous new year.” (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Kabuntalan holds peace and order council meeting

Mayor Salaban Diocolano

KABUNTALAN, Maguindanao --- The local chief executive and other municipal government officials here expressed confidence in saying that Kabuntalan is “generally peaceful.”

This they stated during the conduct of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting last December 18 held at the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) session hall.

Mayor Salaban Diocolano led the meeting with the presence of municipal and barangay officials together with other authorities

Mayor Diocolano emphasized that they have listed zero crime incidence for the Calendar Year 2017.

“We would want to maintain that in the coming year,” the mayor stressed.

Mayor Dicoloano added that they have 24/7 open line communication with all the barangays for the purpose of safeguarding the communities.

“We have issued hand-held radios to our 17 barangays to ensure the safety of our populace,” he added.

Kabuntalan chief of police Senior Inspector Harold Manamapan said he credits the outcome of a peaceful community with the cooperation of the town constituents.

“We always emphasize our intent to have increased awareness and participation of communities to maintain a peaceful community,” he said.

Kabuntalan is politically subdivided into 17 barangays --- Bagumbayan, Buterin, Dadtumog (Dadtumeg), Gambar, Ganta, Katidtuan, Langeban, Liong, Lower Taviran, Maitong, Matilak, Pagalungan, Payan, Pedtad, Pened, Poblacion, and Upper Taviran.

(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Upi LGU aims to attain drug-cleared barangays

Ramon A. Piang, Sr.

UPI, Maguindanao --- This municipal government is committed to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs within their community.

Mayor Ramon A. Piang, Sr. said during interview that the municipal government has previously listed at least one drug-cleared barangay.

“Borongotan was already declared drug-cleared but all remaining barangays are now subject for drug clearing,” Mayor Piang said.

The mayor said they are closely monitoring 24/7 the situation in the barangays through the barangay leaders and other sectors as he emphasized the importance of  cooperation with the authorities to ensure the safety of their communities.

“We are targeting that these barangays will be drug-cleared by early first quarter of 2018,” Mayor Piang said.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (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, and 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, who will directly report to the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council 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 a barangay.

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

Upi is a first class municipality in Maguindanao. It is politically subdivided into 23 barangays:Bantek, Bayabas, Blensong, Borongotan, Bugabungan, Bungcog, Darugao, Ganasi, Kabakaba, Kibleg, Kibucay, Kiga, Kinitaan, Mirab, Nangi/ Kamonsawi, Nuro (Poblacion), RanaoPilayan, Rente,Rifao, Rempes, Renede, Sefegefen, andTinungkaan. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA -MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Alliance Center inaugurated

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT --- ARMM Governor MujivHataman led the inauguration of the Central Maguindanao Development Cooperation Alliance Center in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. At inset is Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Bai Anida A. Dimaukom (seated, 1^st from right) together with the ARMM officials. (Anne Acosta -MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The Central Maguindanao Development Cooperation (CMDC) Alliance Center in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao was inaugurated last December 19 in a ceremony led by Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The center would cater to the needs of 15 conflict-affected municipalities in Maguindanao.

Governor Hataman said the P30-million center will serve as the office of the executive body of the CMDC, an alliance of 15 municipalities in Maguindanao that are beneficiaries of the Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program (HDAP) of the regional government.

Central Maguindanao has been the center of encounters between government forces and lawless elements in the past.

“Forming an alliance among local officials will help restore normalcy and facilitate development efforts among the communities in Maguindanao,” Governor Hataman said.

The construction of the center was implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

A portion of the building will house the office of law enforcement and elders for the planning and implementation of the CMDC program for peace and development. The ARMM has earmarked P2.23 billion for the implementation of projects under the ARMM-HDAP.

The program aims to address the immediate needs of the affected families as well as in providing follow-through interventions in 15 affected municipalities in Maguindanao. These municipalities are Datu Piang, Talitay, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, Guindulungan, Datu Unsay, Datu Hoffer, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, and Shariff Aguak.

The HDAP provides various interventions such as health, education, social welfare, infrastructure, livelihood, community development, and peace and governance. It will also help transform the better socio-economic situation in the 2nd District of Maguindanao.

To provide safe and clean water to the residents, DILG-ARMM Secretary Atty. Noorhafizullah Abdullah said Level II water supply systems, or communal faucets, will be completed this year in areas covered by the alliance. The new municipal halls of Datu Salibo, Datu Anggal, and Shariff Saydona are now completed while the municipal halls of Datu Piang and Talitay have been rehabilitated.

Also, hundreds of residents of Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao availed themselves of free services from the ARMM government and its line-agencies during the 22nd ARMM People’s Day.

Governor Hataman and other officials led the People’s Day held at Dapiawan Elementary School in Barangay Dapiawan.

The social services included dental and medical services and supplemental feeding and distribution of hygiene kits, relief goods, fish corals, and tree seedlings, among others. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MUNTREAL on its fourth anniversary

DIRECTION --- New set of officers of the Municipal Treasurers’ League of Maguindanao for CY 2018 take oath last December 21. Sponsored by the local government of Upi, they were inducted by Mayor Ramon A. Piang, Sr. At inset is the group photo of MUNTREAL during its 4^th anniversary last December 19 held at the municipal gymnasium of Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao. (GILMHAR A. LAO/ MARK EDUARD LIM - MINDANAO EXPOSE’ )

COTABATO CITY --- The Municipal Treasurers’ League (MUNTREAL) of Maguindanao observed its 4^th anniversary last December 19 held at the municipal gymnasium of Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

In his message, MUNTREAL president Engr. Tokan Brahim said how he was moved after he recalling the humble beginnings of the organization in its early years.

“I can still remember how we started from scratch.Despite our ups and downs, we have remained strong enough to fight and surpass any circumstance that hinder our progress as an organization.Thank you for the hard work all these years, fellow MUNTREAL members,” Brahim said.

Brahim narrated that ever since as an organization, they have fostered closer and more mutual understanding, relationship, and cooperation among the municipal treasurers and since then has continuously committed with “our goal of improving the social and economic well-being in our respective localities.”

“This is more than a commitment,” he further added.

For one thing, he said, he had seen each and everyone’s commitment to operate with the Bureau of Local Government Finance and the Department of Finance in the Implementation of its fiscal and national policies.

“Through the years, we have also extended cooperation to the various municipalities in the province in terms of implementation, furtherance, and fulfillment of the tax campaign activities to bring about the successful achievement of the aims, objectives, and goals prescribed and enunciated by the Department of Finance and the Philippine Government.

In addition, Brahim said they always been committed in extending aid, protection, and promotion for the prosperity, welfare, and well-being of all their members.

“Two good practices of MUNTREAL are the documented monthly meetings and on time submission of reports,” Brahim said.

He likewise took special mention of their parent association, the “Municipal Treasurers’ and Assessors’ Association of the Philippines.

“We are their partner in presenting a strong and unified 0front on its stand on all matters affecting local and national taxation for the benefit of our nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the new set of officers for CY 2018 were also inducted in Upi, Maguindanao last December 21. Sponsored by the local government of Upi, they were inducted by Mayor Ramon A. Piang, Sr.

MUNTREAL’s new set of officers are  Engr. Tokan M. Brahim (president),  Nicanor S. Garrigues, Jr. (vice president), Juliet V. Mariscal (secretary), Misuari S. Guialudin (treasurer), and Elizabeth Estrella (auditor).

Members of the Board of Directors are Hamida A. Adzal, Carmen M. Escritor, Lorlene D. Nepomuceno, Norodin K. Samaon, Sambrano T. Mantawel, Sailani K. Pendong, Mama San Diego, Kusain Masurong, Roxas G. Adza Al-Hajj, and Nawawi T. Esmael.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA)