Datu Piang town marks 83rd Founding Anniversary

ASSISTIVE DEVICES --- Mayor Victor T. Samama (center) of Datu Piang distributes wheelchairs as anniversary gifts for needy senior citizens and persons with disability. The devices are provisions for the target sectors programmed by the Maguindanao provincial government under Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu. With him is Sultan Kudarat Mayor Shameem Mastura (2nd from right), and  Executive Assistant V Harris Samal (left) who represented the provincial governor. (Anne Acosta)

DATU PIANG, Maguindanao --- This historic town celebrated its 83rd Foundation Anniversary last November 25 with week-long activities participated in, witnessed, and enjoyed by the local populace.

In line with the celebration, Mayor Victor T. Samama said the local government featured a merry-making “Kulintang Festival” which showcased various activities such as Qur’anic Reading exhibition, Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Day, banca race, palo sebo, parlor games, pasiklaban, Kanduli, Kulintang Ensemble exhibition, Madrasah activities, drum and lyre competition, Children’s Congress, blocking, street dancing competition, float design competition, and showdown competition.

The culmination program was held at the municipal covered court attended by the municipal officials,  town residents, and guests.

“We are more than thankful for the support of our various partners in the progress and development of our humble town. Maraming salamat higit sa lahat sa ating mamamayan sa walang sawa nilang suporta sa ating administrasyon. Hindi po magiging matagumpay ang ating selebrasyon kung hindi dahil sa pagtutulungan ng bawat isa,” Samama stressed.

Balabagan mayor asserts solidified performance in local governance

Balabagan Mayor Edna Ogka Benito shares the limelights of governance in a meeting of the Local Development Council last November 21. (Anne Acosta) 

BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur--- In presiding over the Local Development Council (LDC) meeting here at the Municipal Hall Building last November 21, Mayor Edna Ogka Benito reiterated the power point of unity and solidarity among government departments and partner agencies, barangay governments, and the various sectors or stakeholders in further sustaining the fruits of development efforts through local governance and initiatives.  

        This she asserted at a time when the municipal government of Balabagan, during her term or administration, was awarded its first Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) 2019, an incentive and award-program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to push local government units to excel in performance levels and put more impetus to the delivery of basic services to the constituents.

Datu Anggal Midtimbang LGU reiterates unifying character

SOCIAL ATTACHMENT --- Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu and Municipal Mayor  Maryjoy Estephanie Uy-Midtimbang poised to distribute wheelchairs for qualified senior citizens and persons with disability during celebration of the 13th Founding Anniversary of the municipality of Datu Anngal Midtimbang. The assistive devices are being funded by the provincial government for the target sectors. Assisting them is Maguindanao (2nd district) Board Member Bobby Midtimbang. (Anne Acosta)  

DATU ANGGAL MIDTIMBANG, Maguindanao  ---  The first Kapamagayun Festival, which means “peace and unity,” has been featured in the week-long 13th Founding Anniversary of this town which was celebrated November 23 with theme adaptation of “Responsible at Demokratikong Pamamahala tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”

        Led by Municipal Mayor Maryjoy Estepahnie Uy Midtimbang, the festive “kapamagayun” is a continued call for a united effort among  stakeholders, government and non-government organizations, in the pursuit of sustainable peace, which, she said is “a prerequisite before we can advance development initiatives and implement our progressive agenda in an atmosphere of tranquility and mass-base support of the different sectors and the entire populace.”

North Cotabato turns over 63 barangays to BARMM

HISTORICAL EVENT ---- North Cotabato acting Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza hands over the symbolic  “key of responsibility” to Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim during turn-over on November 20 of the 63 villages in North Cotabato that voted “yes” to inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao earlier this year. Joining them are Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal   and acting Vice-Governor Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva. (PHOTO BY ZSDIOLANAN / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO   CITY  ---  The province of North Cotabato officially turned   over last November 20 the 63 barangays from its six towns to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that voted “yes”to the inclusion during a plebiscite held in February 2019.

The   turn-over   ceremony   was   headed   by   BARMM   Chief   Minister   Ahod   Balawag Ebrahim   together   with   North   Cotabato   acting   Governor   Emmylou   “Lala”   Taliño-Mendoza.

Ebrahim received the symbolic “key of responsibility” from Mendoza during simple rites held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex.

Editorial

Drug war: a challenge

War on illegal drugs continue to hit the headlines and the episodes come everyday under stories of apprehensions and raids with certain casualties, including enforcement agents. Even Vice President Leny Robredo made the headlines when appointed by President Duterte as drug czar only to be sacked a few days after sharing co-chairmanship in the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.

Illegal drug trafficking is a long menace to many societies and many believe as long as there are supplies, there will still be drug business and “awe” as a consequence. Shabu may be eliminated but other substitutes may likely appear. Society has still to trash “marijuana,” a plant species which is also considered as medicinal. In the past, over-the-counter drugs have been swallowed for addictive intakes; to some are injectibles for immediate effect.