Piñol sees agri development in former MILF camp

KIDAPAWAN CITY --- With the new government about to take the reins in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol expressed optimism last January 30 in converting a vast former Moro rebel camp into a productive banana plantation.

During a visit to the camp over the week-end (January 26), Piñol said he was surprised to see the productive soils in and around the former Camp Abubakar of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) straddling the towns of Barira, Buldon, and Matanog, all in Maguindanao.

The MILF forged a peace deal with the government with the enabling law, Republic Act 10105 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), ratified on January 21 this year by the voters in provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi.

“With such, agricultural development is now focused in the new Bangsamoro autonomous region,” Piñol said in a statement released last January 28.

The agriculture secretary visited Camp Abubakar with Manila-based Russian investors and Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu to bring the P8-billion project that will provide livelihood to about 10,000 former Moro combatants.

As a result, a Bangsamoro group of landowners representing 7,000 hectares of idle lands recently signed an agreement with a corporation backed by Russian and Swiss investors for the development of the area for midland and highland bananas.

The Bangsamoro Group was represented by former Buldon Mayor Taungan Macasandag and former Vice Mayor Nasrudin Maluag while Philippine-based French-Russian businessman Robert Gaspar represented TechIron Resources, Inc. and the Solway Group.

Piñol said both TechIron Resources, Inc. and Solway Group have expressed interest in minerals development but are now venturing into agriculture and aquaculture in the Philippines.

He said the multi-billion project will be the first and biggest investment in the Bangsamoro area following the signing and ratification of the BOL.

Once fully operational, Piñol said the project is expected to provide work for at least 10,000 people, many of whom are former cadres and combatants.

The agreement allowed the investors' group to conduct surveys, soil tests, and aerial mapping of the area.

In this connection, Piñol said a team is in Camp Abubakar conducting the survey, which started last Monday (January 28) and set to end by Friday. The Bureau of Soils and Water Management and the Information and Communications Technology Service of the DA have been assisting in the soil survey, aerial mapping and geo-referencing of the former Abubakar camp.

The two groups have agreed to launch the project on February 16 in Camp Abubakar targeting an initial 1,000 hectares for development. (NOEL PUNZALAN & EDWIN FERNANDEZ / PNA – COTABATO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Drug surrenderers join Army’s initiated fun run

CHANGED LIFE --- Around 30 drug surrenderers joined the fun run initiated by the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion as a sign of their strengthened commitment in turning back their lives out of illegal drugs. (6^th ID – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao --- About 30 drug users who have surrendered to the government joined the fun run last February 21 initiated by the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion yesterday at Brgy. Poblacion, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The fun run was in coordination with the local government unit of Ampatuan anchored on the theme, “Takbolaban sa terorismo at iligal na droga”.

More than 500 participants from 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, personnel from PNP-Maguindanao, Department of Local Government Unit (DILG), Bureau of Fire Protection, religious sector, LGU-Ampatuan, Barangay officials and residents of Ampatuan joined the activity. They all gathered at the municipal covered hall of the Ampatuan.

This activity aimed to ensure the well-being of all reformists to deviate from using illegal drugs and provide a programs and activities as part of their rehabilitation following the intensified anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lt. Col. Alvin G Iyog, Commanding Officer of 2nd Mechanized Battalion, acknowledged the local government of Ampatuan for the continued partnership in helping the former drug users to maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

6th Infantry Division Commander, Maj Gen Cirilito E. Sobena, said that the activity does not only benefit the surrenderers but also the community as a whole to fight against criminalities and terrorism. (6th ID – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Balabagan joins first nationwide earthquake drill

PREPAREDNESS --- The municipal government of Balabagan participates in the first quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill last February 21 led by Mayor Edna Ogka Benito. At inset are the Balabagan Trade School students showing their duck cover and hold. (Anne Acosta)

BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur --- This local government took part in the first quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill last February 21 in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).

Bryan Santican Domato, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the conduct of the drill is in preparation for the unpredicted occurrence of earthquake.

“We should take note that we are also prone to tsunami since our town is located along the coast line of Lanao del Sur,” Domato said.

Mayor Edna Ogka Benito emphasized in her message that the activity sought to educate the local populace on disaster preparedness against earthquakes and to showcase capability on disaster response.

Further, evacuation and rescue drill simulations were also shown to increase and strengthen the Emergency Response Group (ERG) preparedness and coordination among tasked units.

These simulations included carrying out first aid procedures to severely injured victims and traumatized students. The regular conduct of an earthquake drill is necessary so that the public’s awareness and preparedness are improved, and response plans of local government and organizations are tested and refined.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) usually lead the quarterly conduct of NSED.

The simulation is done to test, validate and evaluate the preparedness of the local government, with plans still based on the duck, cover and hold concept.

“For one thing, the quarterly NSED is necessary for it prepares us for the worst possible scenario, so that we will know how to handle whatever situation comes up,” Domato said. (ANNE ACOSTA)

ARMM turns over 100 housing units to Marawi siege victims

NEW HOUSES --- A total of 100  families displaed in the 2017 Marawi siege troop to their new houses after the turn-over ceremony last February 19 led by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment program. (Bureau of Public Information- ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY ---  Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanaso (ARMM) turned over last February 19 one hundred permanent housing units to internally displaced families of the 2017 Marawi siege that are staying at an evacuation center in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, who led the turnover ceremonies, said the project, coursed through the Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-BRIDGE) initiative, came in with food supplies and livelihood packages for the beneficiaries.

“The PHP30 million housing project gives emphasis that the ARMM government, though undergoing transition, continues to take care of its constituents,” Hataman said.

The governor said they will make sure that in the forthcoming Bangsamoro regional government, they will not be left behind.

“The projects that are intended for you will go to you. More socio-economic and development programs are in the pipeline for the Marawi siege affected families in the coming months,” he said. (PNA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Editorial

Remain Impartial in Elections

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the anti-corruption commission have joined forces to monitor and punish government agencies who engage in partisan political activity in the upcoming elections.

In a recent press conference, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chair (PACC) Dante Jimenez reiterated the prohibitions for Civil Service members as preparations for the May 13 midterm polls.

The two reiterated that they can express their own preference but they cannot impose that preference on others. 

He explained that government officials are not allowed to coerce their subordinates and colleagues into supporting their preferred candidate. Likewise, agencies are prohibited from using public funds and resources in endorsing candidates. 

James Jimenez emphasized that the government agencies are not allowed to utilize resources such as their personnel to aid political campaigns. For example, they cannot deploy their employees to put up streamers or banners or use official vehicles for parades, he cited.

Those who violate these rules and engage in partisan political activity will be subject to one up to six years of imprisonment and may be disqualified from holding public office.

He also clarified that the rules against partisan political activity among civil servants have been in effect since the start of the election period which was on January 13. However, they issued the warning after the start of the campaign period, after the official candidates have been named. 

James Jimenez added that prior to the start of the campaign period, rules do not apply to potential candidates, but the prohibition still technically applies to civil servant. For all practical purposes, we can see the prohibition really kick in at the start of the campaign period because that is the only time we can technically be partisan for any particular candidate.

James Jimenez said they will take note of the reports of violations, however they still have to go through the validation process before appropriate action is taken against them. Due process still has to be followed and the public should not expect the candidates to be disqualified immediately after they report their violation, he said. 

He said we must not expect the results will be instant but they will move as fast as they can. 

Meanwhile, Dante Jimenez appealed to the public to report and present evidence of partisan political activity to authorities so the appropriate sanctions can be issued against them.

The PACC Chair issued a warning against violating candidates and urged the public to be vigilant. He assured that they will fulfill their mandate and will show no mercy who will not comply with campaign rules.