DSA mayor cites development agenda as governance guide

 DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN (DSA), Maguindanao --- The new local chief executive of this town has cited the crafting of a development agenda as a framework guide in pursuing programs to boost the economy and help improve the lives of stakeholders through wider development opportunities as well as sustaining the peace and security.

        Mayor Edris Sindatok also stressed that selfless service gives assurance that these development agenda could well be put into motion in coordination with and support of various development partners. “Development partnership must be workable so program implementation will be secured.”

        The mayor said one priority in the agenda is to ensure human resource development and a crime-free community through elimination of illegal drug activities.

“I believe that illegal drugs is a menace and are the roots and causes of  violence and criminalities, not only in our town, but as a whole.  It is the directive and mandate coming from our national government to ran after those who are involved in any illegal drug activity in our locality and we have to put a fight against this evil,” the mayor said.

 Of the eight barangays constituting the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, only one of them have to undergo thorough validation and evaluation by the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, headed by Director Juvinal Azurin, whether or not this locality is drug-clear.

Another resolve to peace and order is  taming and arresting “rido” or family feud.

Since assuming office as local chief executive, Mayor Sindatok said he was able to  facilitate the peace settlement between two warring family clans --- the Tambungalan and Mamalapat in Barangay Kitapok and Barangay Kitango.

As a barangay chairman before, he said settlement of this kind of family feud is not an easy task because both families have links with different groups, such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and  Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its military arm, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Force  which are both strong organizations with heavy firearms.

“But through initiative and positive approach and with the efforts and support of our Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines headed by Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the two warring families now live peacefully and harmoniously. And the people living in these affected barangays are now happy and fell free to do their house and economic chores without any fear for their lives,” the mayor said of the effect of the conflict settlement or resolution to the people.

As a barangay chair before and now serving as a mayor of this town, “I have observed that the primary cause of violence, criminalities, and skirmishes in a certain community stems from the so- called “rido” or family feud. Because it involves the whole of the family members and relatives, this problem  usually escalates to the whole community. The situation gets worst if the local government unit takes no step in resolving or ending up the problem.”

Because of “rido,” he said the LGU could hardly pursue development initiatives such as infra projects and other social-economic services that the constituents need, hence, “the community is wrecked by instability.

Last August 12, Mayor Sindatok interfaced with the youth sector during celebration of Youth Day with a program held at the town gymnasium.

He took stride in cautioning the youths against the ill-effects of illegal drug involvement and violent extremist persuasion  as “these would only ruin your bright future,” further warning them of adventurism but “concealed behind are damaging to personal growth and proper upbringing... and only perpetuating delinquencies.”

In another move as part of service incentive, Mayor Sindatok  has offered for the first time since the creation of this municipality  a free ride to all employees bound for Cotabato City on daily basis.

He said the local government has hired a vehicle to cater for the mobility of employees residing in Cotabato City and the nearby municipality.  “This is for free and all expenses are paid by the local government of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. This is in response to the clamor of the employees in solving tardiness. We transport the employees in the morning and then we send them back home in the afternoon. This is in fact a win-win solution for us, these employees perform their duties well if they report on time, and the transportation expenses are no longer a burden to them.” (Anne Acosta/Gilmhar Lao)