EDITORIAL: Divorce bill anti-family

(Editorial Note: This news material is adopted for editorial column)

Divorce bill anti-family



MANILA --- Members of the clergy said the divorce bill, which passed the committee level at the House of Representatives last February 21, is against the family.



With this, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes expressed disappointment over the lawmakers’ decision to pass the measure at the committee level.



“This is a very disappointing development. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in the world where divorce is forbidden. The Church should rally against this law by showing the disastrous effect of divorce that destroys the family, the basic unit of society and the domestic Church,” he said.





“Divorce is a direct affront to the law ordained by God and specifically reiterated by our Lord Jesus Christ!” the Catholic prelate added.



Bastes is hoping that legislators will see the sanctity of marriage and also the effects of divorce in nations where such law is implemented.




“The destruction of families by divorce is indeed a project of Satan, the enemy par excellence of God! Would that our lawmakers open their eyes and hearts to the beauty of upholding the dignity of marriage and to the horrendous situation which divorce has caused in all countries of the world,” he said.



Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee, said Congress will betray its mandate if they pass the divorce bill.

“Divorce is anti-marriage and anti-family! By passing this measure, Congress betrays its mandate to protect our country’s legally and morally declared social and inviolable institutions!” he said in a post on his Facebook account.



The Catholic priest noted that they support the protection of rights of parties involved but such rights should coincide in protecting marital unions.



“The Church is all for the protection of rights, especially of the aggrieved parties in marriage. But protection of rights should go hand in hand with upholding our cherished institutions like marriage,” he said.



“While divorce may indeed vindicate the rights of women, as Congressmen believed, it is unfortunately to the detriment of marriage and family as sacred institutions that should otherwise be protected by the State,” Secillano added.

A technical working group of the committee on population and family relations headed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman approved a substitute bill that consolidates several measures which seek to legalize divorce in the country. (Ferdinand Patinio, PNA)

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

EDUCATION FOR PEACE ---The ARMM Government has officially rolled out the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways), a P3.6 billion program funded by the Australian Government, on Friday (February 23) in Cotabato City. Pathways is a nine-year program designed to improve the delivery of basic education and contribute to peace building in the ARMM.

The launching was led by ARMM Education Secretary Rasol Mitmug, Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mat Kimberley, Assistant Executive Secretary Atty. Sittie Mariam Balahim, and Director Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros of DepEd Central Office.

Atty. Mitmug said the Pathways would support the Philippine Government's effort to strengthen its core education services. (Bureau of Public Information– ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Guindulungan updates its peace &order situation

SECURITY AGENDA --- Guindulungan Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang, Jr (seated center) gathered last February 20 the members of the MPOC and MADAC. (Gilmhar A. Lao with photo by Anne Acosta - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

GUINDULUNGAN, Maguindanao --- This local government convened last February 20 the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) for a joint meeting held at the Senior Citizen Building.

Mayor Midpantao M. Midtimbang, Jr. said the joint meeting updated the members of the respective councils on the peace and order and security situation in the town as well as the status of the MADAC.

“The meeting is very significant since we have gathered updated reports of each and every member of the council,” Mayor Midtimbang said.

“We give constant reminder, most especially to our barangay officials, for them to be always visible and check on the situation in our various barangays from time to time,” Mayor Midtimbang added.

Lt. Col.Crizaldo A. Fernandez Inf (GSC) PA, commanding officer of the 19^th IB, narrated the implementation of Martial Law Instruction Order (MLIO) No. 1 issued by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Mindanao martial law administrator, instructing the regional governor and provincial governors to supervise local chief executives.

The MLIO 1 directed the governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the provincial governors, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, to provide monitoring system for the local chief executives of cities and municipalities in Mindanao to ensure their presence in their respective spheres.

The monitoring system seeks to ensure the proper and timely delivery of government programs and basic services to the constituents in Mindanao and the proper discharge of their functions by the local chief executives.

“MLIO No. 2 is also coming out”, Lt. Col. Fernandez said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Talitay supports ZODP advocacy

CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION --- The local government of Talitay in a meeting with the Integrated Provincial Health Office- Maguindanao representatives last February 22 and discussed about ZODP advocacy and health education campaign of the DOH in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Gilmhar A. Lao - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

TALITAY, Maguindanao --- This local government aligns its campaign on cleanliness and sanitation program with the national leadership’s advocacy on Zero Open Defecation Program (ZODP) and health education campaign.

Norodin Maisalat, consultant on Environmental Sanitation of the Integrated Provincial Health Office- Maguindanao, said the ZODP utilizes the approaches and strategies of Community-Led Total Sanitation or CLTS.

“The CLTS is under the umbrella concept of total sanitation that includes a range of behaviours such as stopping open defecation practices; ensuring that everyone uses a sanitary toilet; frequent and proper hand washing; hygienic handling food and water; safe disposal of animal and domestic waste; and creation and maintenance of a clean and safe environment,” Maisalat said.

Maisalat said households and communities need to be prepared. They should also be responsible.

“Moving beyond the eradication of open defecation towards the safe management of sanitation for all requires a collaborative effort,” he emphasized.

“When we do not have access to sanitation facilities, it could possibly resort to open defecation. Open defecation is a dangerous practice that results to people being at risk of getting diarrhea, cholera, and other waterborne diseases,”

Municipal Administrator Tato Aruyod said the cooperation of everyone is necessary as we change our ways and behaviours.

“This is what we are going to do. That there must be collective efforts of all concerned agencies and the populace themselves,” Aruyod said.

Mayor Allan Sabal said the local government strongly supports the campaign to have Zero Open Defecation community.

“We will work hand in hand with the Department of Healthand other partners to achieve the target of zero open defecation status here in Talitay,” Mayor Sabal said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MUNTREAL to attend PHALTRA convention

Engr. Tokan Brahim

COTABATO CITY ---Members of the Municipal Treasurers League of Maguindanao (MUNTREAL) are set to attend the 85^th Philippine Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors (PHALTRA) National Convention and Seminar-Workshop to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center from March 6-9, 2018.

Engr. Tokan Brahim, president of MUNTREAL, said during the organization’s monthly meeting last February 21 that the annual convention and seminar-workshop was called by PHALTRA President Raymundo D. Salazar.

“Provincial treasurers and assessors, together with municipal treasurers and assessors, shall participate in the gathering,” Brahim said.

Brahim said the invitation has been coursed through the local chief executive in every town.

“Participation shall be on voluntary basis but we encourage every member to join this once a year event,” Brahim added.

Brahim shared that the convention will help the local treasurers and assessors to be motivated in their line of work.

“It’s a boost in their morale, most especially that we are going to have a tough job this year. We are pursuing to hit our target collection,” Brahim said.

This year’s convention carries the theme: "PHALTRA on reforms, Setting the Direction."(Gilmhar A. Lao & Anne Acosta - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SSB holds joint council meetings

JOINT MEETINGS --- Sultan Sa Barongis Mayor Ramdatu Angas  (2^nd from right) led the joint MPOC, MADAC, and MRRMC meetings last February 19 held at the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) session hall together with town officials and local authorities in the area. (GILMHAR A. LAO WITH PHOTO BY ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN SA BARONGIS, Maguindanao --- This municipal government is strengthening its peace and security efforts with the conduct of the joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC), Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MRRMC) meetings last February 19 held at the Sangguniang Bayan session hall.

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

“We gathered updates from various clusters and consolidated our reports,” Mayor Angas said.

As part of the development efforts, ViceMayor Al-Fizzar Allandatu M. Angas said the Sangguniang Bayan has crafted an ordinance that would help discipline motorists.

“We will not allow anymore anybody who drives without license and proper documents. The ordinance shall be implemented very soon. Apart from this, Zero Open Defecation Program (ZODP) advocacy and health education campaign will also be our priority. We should not discount cleanliness and sanitation,” Vice-Mayor Angas said.

OIC Chief of Police SPO1 Reynante Quinilayo reported about the peace and order situation of the town.

“We still continue with our routinary measures in maintaining peace and order. At present, the peace and order situation in the town has been continuously improving” Quinilayo said.

Further, 40th IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Edgar L. Catu discussed about the updates on peace and security.

Assistant  Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Sittie Jay Amnah D. Baraguir reported on matters related to the MADAC while Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Paisal A. Maulana updated the councils on the Disaster Risk reduction Management (DRRM) situation.

In connection with the DRRM programs of the local government, Maulana said they continue to capacitate their partners as part of their effort on disaster preparedness.

“Our rescue team must be ready any time since our town continues to experience recurring flood problem,” Maulana added.

He said the flood water easily rises in the town, most especially in the five low- lying barangays, namely Paldong, Barurao, Gadungan, Papakan, and Kulambog.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DSA holds capability enhancement training for tri-groups

CAPACITATE --- PDEA-ARMM Regional Director Juvenal Azurin (standing left) gave a lecture to  participants in the two-day Capability Enhancement Training for  members of MADAC, BADAC, and BPAT  held at the Gender and Development Center last February 20-21. (Gilmhar A. Lao with photo by Anne Acosta)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao--- This municipal government spearheaded recently a two-day capability enhancement training for members of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).

Juvenal Azurin, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), discussed on the roles and functions of the MADAC and BADAC, dangerous drugs identification and its effects, salient provision of RA 9165, drug courier problem in the Philippines, how to detect clandestine laboratories, and the barangay drug clearing operation.

“It is important to keep everyone reminded of their duties and responsibilities, most especially in the barangay level,” Azurin said.

Monina P. Guialudin, Municipal Local Government Operations officer of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, lectured on the functions of the BPATs as well as their role the Barangay Justice System.

“This serves as a good avenue for them to deeply understand their roles and functions,” Guialudin said.

Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom said that aside from the topics mentioned, basic life-saving procedure (first aid) and the BPAT’s role in disaster preparedness and response were discussed with the participants during the event.

“In addition, we also tackled about basic information on federalism,” Mayor Dimaukom said.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Bangsamoro Young Leaders-Basilan wins big in national tilt

COTABATO CITY ---“It is not about competition and recognition, but about learning and meeting new people who share the same passion in serving our respective communities,” Abul Maralil said after the Bangsamoro Young Leaders-Basilan (BYL-Basilan) was awarded as one of this year’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO), following a rigorous application and selection process.

TAYO is now on its 15th year and has established itself as the nation's premier search for outstanding youth organizations that have made a positive difference in their communities through innovative and sustainable programs.

But their victory wasn’t just in this competition. His teammate, Michael Raihan Alih, said, “we were so happy when we found out our team won, since we really had to go through a lot of challenges just so we could implement our project.”

Their team of 10 were mostly participants from the 2017 Bangsamoro Young Leaders Program (BYLP), hence, they decided to name their team after the program.

The BYLP is a year-long initiative of the Office of the Regional Governor -Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Eisenhower Fellows Association of the Philippines, and Ayala Foundation, Inc.

They also credit their win to the many volunteers from Basilan and Zamboanga who helped them in implementing their project.

Called “Natural na Pamamaraan tungo sa Malusog na Pamayanan,” the youth-driven project propelled the BYL-Basilan Team to the final round of the TAYO Awards, under the Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being category.

They saw an opportunity to change lives in Barabgay Sulutan Matangal, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan, a coastal community that needed immediate access to health services.

In coordination with the Department of Health, they aimed to raise health awareness and to help the community in cultivating herbal plants as alternative medicines to cure mild cases of illnesses.

A module featuring different plants and how to prepare them as herbal medicines was translated into the vernacular for easier understanding, making sure that its use will be safe for patients in the community. Barangay health workers were also tapped to guide mothers in preparing the herbal treatments.

Their efforts led to the establishment of communal herbal garden which now serves as a source of first hand medicines to cure mild cases of illnesses. Organic vegetable gardens have also been set up, helping the community meet their basic nutritional needs.

The team also paved the way for the construction of two public comfort rooms in the community.

This isn’t the first time the team was recognized for their efforts. BYL-Basilan was among the finalists and was named Spark Awardee in the Ideas Positive Run 7 of the Unilab Foundation last year. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)