Mayor Datu Andal
Santiago Amaptuan V
DATU UNSAY, Maguindanao --- The municipal
government of this town conducted a day-long multiple activities last September 30 to elevate or
drum up the people’s awareness on wellness and peace paradigms which entail the
people’s involvement on programs and projects of which they are the
end-clientele.
Mayor
Datu Andal Santiago Ampatuan V said they have conducted the Dengue Awareness
Symposium so the constituents can aptly apply the measures to prevent the
onslaught of the epidemic and spare, especially the children, from suffering
the disease but preventable ailment.
At
the same time, he said they have launched the “Buntis Congress” in cooperation
with the Integrated Provincial Health Office. Some 100 pregnant women
participated in the congress as they received hygiene kits for personal
consumption and post-natal period.
Ampatuan
V said pregnant women and future mothers have to be knowledgeable and sensitive
on pre-natal and post-natal care in order to prevent cases of child mortality.
“Pregnancy
is an important phase in the life cycle of women as they are with child and
this connotes the survival of two lives,” the mayor emphasized, “hence, they
need to be aware of the intricacies of motherhood and child care.”
In
another activity, the mayor said a delegation from the Switzerland-based Geneva
Call, a non-government organization (NGO) that promotes civil engagement in
conflict situation, motored to their community to conduct information drive on
the rights of civilians in the event of armed conflict as the group
lectured on the “conducts of war and the
rules of engagement.”
It is
the mission of the Geneva Call to inform or educate the community about their
rights in moments of armed conflict such as protection of children from
violence, prohibition on sexual abuse of violence, ban on the use of
anti-personnel mines, and elimination of gender discrimination, among others.
In general terms, the educational drive involved the broad spectrum of the
International Humanitarian Law and its corresponding rules.
The
NGO cited the enthusiasm of the attendees or participants in the consultation
activity, especially the barangay officials who have been so attentive and
responsive to the orientation.
It
also manifested its interest to be involved as an observer in discussions over
Peace and Order Council meetings in its desire to contribute insights on the
peace framework and resolution.
The
mayor said it is the longing mission of the Geneva Call for the attainment of
lasting peace in areas affected by armed conflict so to secure the safety of
the constituents. “Even the enemies of the state have to be aware of their
conducts or behaviors in the event of armed confrontation… And so do the
security forces. The lives of innocent civilians are always compromised in
armed conflict situation.”
He
further said the local government supports with appreciation the educational
drive of the Geneva Call as this is one way of attaining and sustaining the
peace and order in the locality. “And out of 36 municipalities here in
Maguindanao, we are so glad and lucky that our municipality is among those
chosen as a pilot area in the advocacies of the Geneva Call.”
In
another development, the mayor said the road clearing operation mandated by the
President through the Department of the Interior and Local Government shall be
a mainstay of the municipal government so there will be no more obstructions
along the road network.
He
said obstruction materials along the national highway have to be demolished.
“For this, we will see to it that there will be no illegal parking and no
illegal vending along the highway.” (Anne Acosta)
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