Executives pool efforts vs. dengue

Lanao del Sur officials formulated last week more measures against dengue disease. (Handout photo) Click the photo aboe to read more......

COTABATO CITY --- The provincial governments of Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato are scrambling to address the high prevalence of dengue cases now in both provinces.

The office of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. said in a statement Friday (August 16) that he and physician Allen Minalang, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office, met in Marawi City last week to map out strategies meant to address the problem.

The meeting was attended by key members of the medical community in Lanao del Sur and its capital, Marawi City, and senior education officials from both areas.

Adiong has assured to support the anti-dengue campaign of Minalang’s office.

Minalang reported during the emergency meeting that there have been 663 dengue cases in Lanao del Sur from January to early August this year.

Local executives push for reconciliation program for Islamic militants

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman and Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim met in Cotabato City last August 16. (Photo supplied) 

COTABATO CITY --- Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman and Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim will jointly formulate an institutional program meant to return Islamist militants into mainstream society.

Hataman, while governor of the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from 2012 to February this year, and the provincial government of Basilan together worked out the return to the fold of law in the past three years of more than 200 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the province.

Ebrahim and Hataman, now congressional representative of Basilan, met at the capitol here of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Friday (August 16) and discussed the prospects of forging ahead with a legislation that can help hardcore Islamic extremists fighting the government start life anew as peaceful citizens in their provinces.

Hataman said he and other Moro lawmakers can ventilate in the House of Representatives the need for an institutionalized reconciliation program providing hardcore members of the Abu Sayyaf, the Maute group, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters livelihood and other psycho-social support if they decide to reform for good.

“If the government has a program for members of the New People’s Army, why not extend a hand of reconciliation to these religious extremists too? Some officials of our national security organizations also call the NPA a terror group,” Hataman told Murad during their hour-long meeting.

The Hataman-Murad engagement was facilitated by Hexsan Mabang, a senior official of the Regional Board of Investments-BARMM, and Bangsamoro Parliament member Amir Mawallil.

Hataman pioneered the Program Against Violent Extremism, or PAVE, while at the helm of the ARMM regional government.

His office then used ARMM funds for the rehabilitation, education, and livelihood support for the militants in Basilan who came out in batches from 2017 to early this year and denounced over the Qur’an their Abu Sayyaf membership.

“We relied only on local funds and other available fiscal resources subject to state auditing procedures. If we can a have legislated measure, supported by Malacañang, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces, we can nip misguided Islamic militancy from the bud,” Hataman said.

Hataman said potential beneficiaries of his envisioned expanded anti-extremism reconciliation program can trade their firearms for psycho-social and socio-economic support from the government.

Murad said he will support a House bill meant to foster amity between the government and local militant blocs.

The Abu Sayyaf, the Maute, and the BIFF have a common denominator --- that of having leaders circumventing teachings in the Qur’an to radicalize followers and imbue among them extreme hatred for non-Muslims.

All three groups are operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Murad said he wants the program to cover all three groups, most particularly the BIFF, which splintered from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front almost a decade ago.

Maguindanao Second District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said he is ready to endorse any proposed measure Hataman will submit for congressional imprimatur.

Mangudadatu, who was governor of Maguindanao for three terms that spanned from June 30, 2010 to June 30 this year, had also helped the Army’s 6th Infantry Division convince more than 20 BIFF members to lay down their arms from 2018 until shortly before his election as congressional representative last May 13.

Mangudadatu said he is certain that Ebrahim, chairman of the MILF, and his followers can help compel the BIFF to refrain from hostile acts while efforts to institutionalize a reform program that they can avail of are still underway.

“These are militants wrongly indoctrinated by extremely radical preachers. They do not have any other option now but fight the government. If they will realize that they can still have a second lease of life, in harmony with all people around them, surely they will come out and reform,” Mangudadatu said. (MEDIA PARTNER / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Food handlers undergo training on ‘halal’ system

HALAL SYSTEM --- Dr. Robert Malcontento, Cotabato City veterinarian, explains to guests last August 16 the modern equipment of Cotabato City’s halal slaughterhouse, the first-ever to operate in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Cotabato CIO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’) Click the photo abofve to read more.....

COTABATO CITY  --- The city government on conducted last August 16 the first Halal Assurance System Training to ensure that food served to the public by restaurants and hotel owners adhere to the Islamic law, a city official said.

The training was attended by about 30 hotel and restaurant owners, fast-food operators, bakeshop owners, and food caterers with business operating in this city.

Abdulatif Sangcupan, president and chief executive officer of the Halal Development Institute of the Philippines, Inc., said three factors should be considered before food establishments are classified as halal-certified entities.

“First, the people handling the food; second, the facilities being used; and third, the product,” he said.

Sangcupan also discussed to the food managers the 11 criteria before a food establishment is considered to have the Halal Assurance Management System.

“These are policy, halal management team, education and training, material, products, facilities and equipment, procedures for critical activities, traceability, procedures for non-conformity or products (that) do not meet the requirements, internal audit, and management review,” he said.

City administrator Dr. Danda Juanday said it has been the city government’s vision to be the halal hub in Central Mindanao as it already has a halal slaughterhouse, the first in the country, and halal food that also invites tourists to partake. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA – Cotabato / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Minister Sinarimbo provides Bangsamoro transition updates Aug. 10, 2019

Local Government Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo

COTABATO CITY --- It has been a challenging months for the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to pedal onwards a new autonomous bureaucracy since the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) last March 29.

The first step the BTA had taken in the transition into a new structure was to draft the Bangsamoro Transition Plan which will serve as the guidebook in setting up the new government.

In an interview with the People’s Television Network last August 9, BARMM Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo said the transition plan has already been approved and is currently being implemented.

“Dalawa ho yung laman ng plano. Una ay yung bagong structure ng gobyerno sa Bangsamoro at pangalawa ay yung phasing out ng defunct bureaucracy nung ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). So yung dalawang yun ay patuloy nang pinapatupad na sa ngayon,” Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo also said that Chief Minister Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim have a 12-point priority agenda during his term of governance.

Included in the agenda, he said, are the legislation of priority laws, development of revenue codes to generate more income in the region, implementing good governance with the local government units, and improvement of the region’s security, among others.

Published by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, the 12-point agenda include the enactment of priority bills; integration of development plans; establishment of appropriate bureaucracy; continuity of existing government services; special programs for transitioning combatants; supporting the on-going Marawi rehabilitation; development of enabling policy environment; activation of job-generating industries; enhancement of security; maximizing synergistic partnerships; ensure environmental compliance; and exploration of Bangsamoro’s economic potentials.

“Magkakaroon din po ng massive na improvement dun sa social service delivery. Ang plano ay ibababa ang serbisyo ng gobyerno dun na mismo sa barangay, sa ngayon ay ang abot natin ay ang munisipyo,” he said. “Gusto nating bumaba mismo sa mga komunidad para yung mga statistics sa human development incidences hindi lang mga numero kundi mga tao na mismo.”

Decommissioning of MILF combatants

One of the committed obligations of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)  in the peace process is the decommissioning of its combatants as soon as the Bangsamoro Government is established.

        Sinarimbo said: “Yung paunang phase ay 30 percent ng combatants at weapons nila. Sa September 7, magsisimula yung 12,000 na combatants nila na ide-decommission, at 2,100 na firearms. Madami pong mga tao at madaming armas ang ide-decommission ng MILF.”

Unbeknown to many, good things are already happening in the new BARMM.

“Gusto lang naming ipaalam sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa mga nandito sa Manila at sa mas malawak na parte ng Pilipinas, na yun pong kasunduang pangkapayapaan na pinirmahan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas at saka ng MILF ay meron nang nangyayaring maganda sa ground,” Sinarimbo said.

“Naaayos na natin yung sa baba at inaasahan natin na sa mga susunod na panahon ay talagang makakamit natin yung kapayapaan at pag-unlad, hindi lang sa rehiyon namin kundi sa buong bansa rin,” he added. (BPI-BARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

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)

Matanog observes 44th Founding Day

An Eid’l Adha float is part of the motorcade in the celebration of Matanog’s 44th Foundation Day. (Anne Acosta)

MATANOG, Maguindanao --- This local government had a simple yet significant celebration as it marked its 44th Foundation Anniversary last August 15.

For this year, Mayor Mohammad Ali Guro said  they chose to have a simple yet memorable observance of their foundation day.

"As we push for the development and stability efforts of our humble town, we would also like to promote simplicity," Mayor Guro said.

For instance, the highlight of the three-day activity was the observance of Eid'l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).

"We really intend to observe Eid'l Adha as we also celebrate at the same time our founding day. We've made it possible with the support of the Sangguniang Bayan," he stressed.

The mayor also shared about their humble beginings, “that once upon a time, the town was tagged as a war-torn area."

"But it's totally different nowadays. As you can see, we have a busy highway 24/7. The mind-set is now slowly changing,"  he emphasized.

Mayor Guro also thanked Allah that Matanog have reached its 44th year, peaceful and "slowly progressing."

"I sincerely ask for the continued support of our populace in our struggle for a peaceful and developed community. Let us be united in achieving our dream that someday soon, Matanog would become a city," he said.

Provincial Administrator Mohajeran Balayman represented Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu as the guest of honor and speaker during the affair. (Gilmhar A. Lao / Anne Acosta)

Buldon LGU to provide school chairs, blackboards

Mayor Manalao

BULDON, Maguindanao --- This municipal government in coordination with the Local School Board (LSB) is set to provide arm chairs and blackboards to different public schools in the town.

Mayor Abolais Manalao said the project is an initiative of the local government.

"We are going to distribute at least 2,000 wooden arm chairs and a number of blackboards to various public schools. In addition, it will also include our more than 30 Madrasahs here," Manalao said.

In an interview, Manalao said that a few days ago, they had an assessment on the situation of the schools in their town.

"We need to know the real score and make documentations since we plan to submit our assessment to the Office of the Minister of the Ministry of Education, Mohagher Iqbal," the mayor said.

On the other hand, Manalao mentioned that the maintenance of peace and order remains to be their top priority.

"We are more than thankful that peace and order here just keeps getting better each day. To further strengthen peace and order, the local government also tapped the Ulama League since we know they can be of great help," Manalao stressed.

In a separate occassion, the provincial government of Maguindanao announced earlier they would also distribute 1,000 arm chairs and 20 blackboards each to the thirty-six towns of the province. (Gilmhar A. Lao with Anne Acosta)

Education accented to fight poverty

BULUAN, Maguindanao --- The provincial government of Maguindanao will be providing arm chairs  and blackboards to schools in Maguindanao's 36 municipalities as a way of improving the learning environment of youngsters and motivating the clientele to embrace education in the process of human resource development.

Administrator Mohajeran Balayman made the announcement last August 13 during the Provincial Consultative Meeting at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol, where the issue on poverty was discussed with the mayors, barangay chairmen, concerned government line-agencies, and civil society organizations.

Giving emphasis on the provincial  governor’s  support to education and the need to augment the facilities of school sites, Balayman said the provincial government will provide  1,000 arm chairs and 20 blackboards to each municipality in the province.

The project is a partnership with the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In discussing poverty issue during the meeting, Yusoph Mohammad, regional director of the NAPC-BARMM, said it is important to ensure the full implementation of social reforms and poverty alleviation program.

"For many decades, countless aids have poured our region, yet we still belong to one of the poorest provinces," Mohammad said, adding that the problem should be properly addressed to cushion the impact of hardships haunting many of the constituents who are on the threshold.

Admittedly, the long decades of armed conflict and other instances of natural disasters have caused underdevelopment in the now Bangsamoro region, thus, curtailing the entry of the much wanted investments. Developers and investors, this recent, noted their preference on areas that are peaceful and secured and already developed “since these are good indicators for competition and business expansion.”

Governor Mangudadatu emphasized that  education  is one key to fight poverty since the learning process and skills development could be used as leverage for economic productivities, hence, this early “the youths should be equipped with the potentials for moving on better lives for themselves and their future families.”

"The provision of seats and blackboards in public schools only affirms our belief in supporting  the value of education. That it is one important instrument for poverty alleviation," Governor Mangudadatu said.

Previous studies indicate that well-furnished classroom facilities reinforce a conducive learning environment. Other factors are quality of education, provision of instructional materials and learning aids, teaching methodology, and good teacher-pupil rapport. (R.M. Tendero, Jr. with Gilmhar Lao & Anne Acosta) (R.M. Tendero, Jr. with Gilmhar Lao & Anne Acosta)

P50-B set for social services at barangay levels in BARMM

COTABATO CITY --- The Bangsamoro Transition Authority will use ₱30 billion in unprogrammed funds to improve the quality of social services in the barangay levels of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The unprogrammed funds are meant for the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the 2019 General Appropriations Act, according to Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo.

“We’ve not received a part of the P30 billion, so last Cabinet meeting, there’s a decision to program the funds and request the national government to actually give the funding for us,” Sinarimbo said in an interview with Rappler last August 8.

“The directive from the Chief Minister (Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim) is for the Cabinet to propose the programs and the strategy for us to get the bulk of that funding to support social service delivery and frontload that to the barangay level,” he said.

The Cabinet have to submit their proposed programs to the chief minister and then to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) by August 12.

Sinarimbo said if the funds will be transferred to the BTA by September, their programs will be delivered before 2019 ends.

Health and education, Sinarimbo said, are the basics of social services that need to be felt at the level of the barangays. “The health indicators in the region are among the worst in the country. We want to reverse that and to do that we need to put health workers at the level of the barangays.”

He also said they “are looking at improving education outcomes. So drop-out rate is high and we want to know exactly what is causing that. Part of a study is saying parents are asking their kids, because they are poor, to do manual labor so they earn and contribute to the family’s income. If we subsidize that, we expect kids to be attending school.”

“We understand the condition on the ground and people are expecting a lot from the BTA, from the government. We want to respond quickly to that by frontloading the programs at the level already of the barangay,” Minister Sinarimbo said. (BPI-BARMM) (BPI-BARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Editorial

No obstruction policy  means good business

IT’s a sigh of relief that streets, especially main thoroughfares, are cleared from obvious obstructions that authorities have to take concrete legal action or remedies against obstructionists. Good directive that the Department of the Interior and Local government gave local government units in cities to initiate road clearings within 60-day operation lest local chief executives face suspension or sanctions. .

Based on news accounts, the cities of Davao, General Santos, and Koronadal have already initiated their road clearing operations against illegal parking, illegal vending, illegal constructions, and illegal use or squatting on public lands, among others. Declogging waterways or canals are included in the clearing operation. 

In Cotabato City, the “Absolute No Parking” ordinance was enforced last August 5 that resulted to improved and smooth traffic flow, thus, giving relief to stress and strain among riders and commuters. We now see improvement in traffic flow along Sinsuat and Quezon Avenues and other busy streets where loading and unloading zones are likewise strictly enforced, hopefully with no favoritism. Time will come when motorists would integrate the driving or motoring norms as embodied in the traffic ordinance and this will be a great achievement in relation to traffic and economic affairs.

Not because one owns a private vehicle that they could use the thoroughfares as they please for their personal parking spaces but to the prejudice of smooth traffic mobility. Street/concrete pavements are for travel or commutation purposes but not at all for private parking use unless there are spaces  for such.

Vending is for livelihood but such enterprise should be properly located and secured so as not to obstruct and congest street shoulders. Spaces are provided for legal vending activities but not the street sides, which are always littered by trash and garbage. Public lands are for public use and not for private purpose unless the productivity redound to public welfare. Waterways or canals are not reservoir of garbage but for its exclusive purpose to prevent floodings.

It takes discipline and sacrifice to comply with ordinances on traffic, vending, and use of other domains. All these regulations are meant to ensure good order in a community where people are at peace with their environments. Good traffic means fine travel, good valuation of time, and facilitative business. Well-placed vending expedites commerce and trade. Proper disposition of garbage is enrichment of sanitation. All of these are good for us, individually and collectively.

Like in our homes, we want our city very orderly in many ways. If at home there are roles to play to make house-keeping that assuring, all of us have also to cooperate to keep streets away from obstruction by complying with ordinances or rules and regulations. Like other growing cities, our very own is also progressing, hence, legal edicts have to govern the norms of the floating population so there will be good order in different transactions. We cannot wait for the development of turtle-paced street customs and traditions as laws or ordinances are quick behavioral adjustments to social-cultural or technological change. And compliance to traffic modalities are part of such change or adjustments to technological alterations.

Absolute no parking and no illegal vending or obstruction  mean “orderly and good flow of traffic.” Be a part of the “Disciplined Brigade.” Full force of the law should prevail… It’s political will at work for public welfare.

Parang draws activities for 72nd Founding Day

PARANG, Maguindanao --- This municipal government has lined up various activities for the celebration of the town’s 72nd Foundation Anniversary on August 18.

Mayor Cahar P. Ibay said there are already ongoing activities, citing the six-in-one services. “Some of the services include medical, dental, circumcision, and veterinary and the collection of taxes for real property tax.”

The mayor said other festive activities are ball games, the bike challenge, “Kasalang Bayan,” clean-up drive, and the much awaited “LGU Night.”

“It will be a night full of fun and merry making since it is going to be a masquerade party. This will serve as the bonding moment of the LGU officials and employees,” he said.

Last August 2, a tree planting activity, led by Mayor Ibay and Vice Mayor Adnan C. Biruar,  was held at the Macasandag Watershed participated by stakeholders from the Philippine National Police, Marine Battalion Landing Team-2, Department of Education, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, other government line-agencies together with the municipal officials and employees.

“Despite the heavy rain, the activity turned out to be a huge success because of the collaboration and the participants' love for our Mother Nature,” Ibay said.

Mayor Ibay said they are grateful since the activities have been well received by the constituents.

“We welcome everybody and we want them to enjoy. Even if they are not from Parang, we invite them to join our merry-making activities, most especially on our culmination program on August 18. Indeed, there is inclusive good governance here,” Mayor Ibay said.

Since his assumption as the new local chief executive, Mayor Ibay has maintained what his predecessor has started, referring to former mayor Ibrahim Ibay.

“It has always been my thrust to promote good governance so I always encourage the LGU officials and employees to do the same. That they musbe good role models to our constituents and selflessly serve them. Even myself, I wear my big ID all the time. I want to be a good role model,” Mayor Ibay stressed.

        From his previous membership with the  Regional Legislative Assembly in which he did some policies for the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, he said it has been quite a challenge “shifting now as implementer of the laws.”

“It was a tough challenge but I have found the very reasons why I am here. This is my destiny to be able to help and bring Parang into greater heights,” he stressed.

The challenge now, he added, is their aim to fulfill their long time dream of reaching “cityhood”.

“Maybe not during my watch, but what important is we have started it. In God’s perfect time, Parang will become a city,” he said.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Patuloy na Pagkakaisa Tungo sa IBAYong Kasaganahan ng Parang, MagandaNow”.

        Parang is a first class municipality in the province of Maguindanao. It is bordered to the north by Barira and Matanog, on the east by Buldon, and on the south is Sultan Mastura. It was created on August 18, 1947 through Executive Order No. 82. (Gilmhar A. Lao with Anne Acosta)