BARMM lawmakers sound alarm against 2019-nCoV

PROTECTION --- Some Filipinos wear protective masks in public places such as malls (in Quezon City)  as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Department of Health has confirmed the first n-CoV case in the country, a 38-year-old Chinese woman who arrived in the Philippines from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong last January 21. (PNA PHOTOS BY ROBERT OSWALD P. ALFILER, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

COTABATO CITY  --- The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed a resolution laqst January 31 urging local government units of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to implement measures on preventing the entry of the 2019-novel coronavirus (nCov) in the area.

The BTA is the interim lawmaking body of the fledging BARMM that is currently on its transitional phase.

Resolution No. 186 "urges concerned agencies and local government units of the BARMM to adopt and implement to prevent the entry of the 2019-nCov in the areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.”

Maguindanao town dad slain in roadside shooting

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao  --- A municipal councilor was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen along the national highway here last January 30 in the afternoon, police said.

“Manhunt had been launched,” said Maj. Julhamin Asdani, Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Office chief, after the murder of Jordan Abdulrahman Ibrahim, chairperson of Barangay Pilar, South Upi, Maguindanao and concurrent president of the Association of Barangay Chairpersons (ABC) of South Upi.

Ibrahim, 37, who sits as an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Bayan of South Upi, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

6th ID sends off new privates to different units

CAMPO SIONGCO, Maguindanao  --- The 6th Infantry Division sent off last January 30 the new “Privates” in a ceremony at its grandstand here.

A total of 206 new Privates were sent off to their respective gaining units to become part of the Command’s campaign against various threat groups in Central Mindanao.

From the 206, the 150 will be assigned to the Infantry Battalions of the 6th ID.

Presided by 6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, he reminded the new soldiers to be physically and mentally fit, obey lawful orders, and work with sense of duty.

“To the gaining units of these new Privates, the Command expects you to continue to hone them to become more professional and capable soldiers,” Maj. Gen. Carreon said.

Solon urges gov't to use Marawi City rehab funds

MANILA  --- Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman urged last January 29 Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) to utilize the 2019 and 2020 rehabilitation funds allotted for the rebuilding of Marawi City and prevent their reversion to the national treasury.

Hataman made the call following reports that some P406.5 million in Marawi rehabilitation funds expired and reverted to the national treasury.

"Let us learn from what happened to the 2018 Marawi budget, where more than P400 million remained unused and reverted back to the national coffers. Ilang bahay kaya ang hindi naipatayo dahil sa pagkawala ng halagang ito? Mas maraming pamilya sana ang napakain pa natin (How many houses could have been rebuilt with this amount? We could have fed several families),” Hataman said.

Cotabato City hits P1- billion revenue mark

COTABATO CITY  --- The city government has reported some P1.2-billion worth of new investments or a recorded 1,368 new businesses in 2019, Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said during her State of the City Address last January 28.

“As a result of the robust growth in our economy, we posted a total annual income of P1.044 billion last year. Finally, we have hit the P1-billion mark,” Sayadi said during her annual report, which was witnessed by leaders from various sectors.

Sayadi said the city's income in 2019 was 9.78 percent higher than in 2018.

“For the past five years, our annual income had been growing at an average of 10.51 percent yearly, and this year, with the entry of so-called ‘big card’ investments, it is projected that our annual income would grow by not less than 12 percent,” Sayadi said.

Students’ film of gratitude after Marawi war wins in JICA tilt

STORY OF HOPE --- Students Shannefamel Almazan and Prince Loyd Besorio weaved a story on their experience from the 2017 Marawi conflict that earned them the winning piece for the Japan International Cooperation Agency's first video blog contest. They shared how the Japanese government’s support in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi as well as its surrounding areas brought hope to the people. (SCREENCAP FROM THE ANSWER TO MY SENBAZARU VIDEO, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

MANILA  --- Two students from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) were named winners of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) first nation-wide video blog contest for students and young professionals in the country.

Both twenty-year-olds Shannefamel Almazan and Prince Loyd Besorio weaved a story on their experience from the 2017 Marawi conflict.

Best cops eyed for Mindanao deployment

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Japanese consul visits BARMM

GREAT PARTNERS --- Japan Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa (left) visits the office of BARMM Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong in Cotabato City last January 31. The Japanese diplomat said their government is willing to continue extending development aid to the region through a notable partnership. (PHOTO COURTESY OF BTA SPEAKER BALINDONG, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

COTABATO CITY --- A Japanese diplomatic official has visited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to officially inform regional officials of Japan’s strengthened and revitalized diplomatic office in Davao City of their readiness to serve the Bangsamoro constituents.

Japan Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa visited last January 31 Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Speaker Pangalian Balindong at his office here.

BARMM presents feats to OIC

MOVING FORWARD ---  BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ibrahim (right) is joined by Speaker Pangalian Balindong and Cabinet officials during a meeting last January 29 with the delegates of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. (GALao WITH PHOTO FROM BPI-BARMM, MINDANAO EXPOSE')  

COTABATO CITY  ---  The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) presented  last January 29 the accomplishments of the infant region to contingents of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during their visit to the Office of the Chief Minister.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, together with Speaker Pangalian Balindong and Cabinet members, met with the delegates from the OIC to discuss the current situation and achievements of the Bangsamoro government since its inception in 2019.

The OIC delegates were composed of Dr. Hassan Abedin, Datuk Ibrahim Bin Abdullah, and Mr. El Habib Bourane.

During the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun reported the major accomplishments of the Bangsamoro government for 2019.

Some of the notable accomplishments include the call for moral governance, approval and implementation of the transition plan, strengthened revenue collections, launching of BARMM full disclosure policy portal, Project TABANG (Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan), BARMM, READi (Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence), “Kapihan sa Bangsamoro,” Radyo Bangsamoro, Integration of Shariah Bar, First Bangsamoro Energy Forum, BARMM war against the resurgence of polio virus, campaign to end violence against women, BARMM Tourism Stakeholders Forum, Messaging Peace Hub, BARMM sets high investments record;

AMBAG (Ayudang Medikal Mula sa Bangsamoro Government) Program, Wage hike in BARMM region, BARMM pushes for a more child friendly government, inter-governmental relations, launching of Bangsamoro Job Portal, capacity building for individuals and institutions, Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program, implementation of quick impact projects, official turn-over of the 63 barangays located in North Cotabato, first BARMM Athletic Association (BARMAA), and the Bridging religion and medicine through launching of Fatwa on reproductive health and family planning.

For the part of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, the Bangsamoro Seal, Bangsamoro Flag, Bangsamoro Appropriations Act, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office, and the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority formed part of the enacted key legislations.

In a statement, Ibrahim said the Bangsamoro government declared its four major priorities.

“The four major priorities include education, health and medical services, social services, and infrastructure programs,” Ibrahim said.

The OIC is an international organization founded in September 1969, which endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world. (GALao, OPS, BTA PARLIAMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE'

MSU-Marawi confers honorary degree on Chief Minister Ebrahim

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Al Haj Murad Ebrahim (right)  receives from MSU president Dr.  Habib Macaayong the conferment of ‘honoris causa’ during 55th Commencement Exercises of the institution. (PHOTO SUPPLIED, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

COTABATO CITY --- In recognition to his exemplary contributions to humanity and peace building in the Bangsamoro region, the Mindanao State University (MSU) – Marawi conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Development, honoris causa to Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim.

The conferment, which took place during the 55th Commencement Exercises (1st Semester A.Y. 2019-2020) of the MSU-Marawi last January 28, was upon the recommendation of MSU System President Habib Macaayong and approval of the members of the Board of Regents.

“I am accepting this honorary degree not for myself, but for the Bangsamoro struggle and the Bangsamoro people,” Ebrahim said.

World Bank assures support to Marawi rehab

Parliament Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong (center) welcomed World Bank’s Senior Social Development Specialist Ditte Marie Fallesen (2nd from left) and her team during their courtesy visit to the Office of the Parliament Speaker. (GALAO WITH PHOTO BY ZSDIOLANAN, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

COTABATO CITY ---  The World Bank (WB) assured its commitment to support the Marawi rehabilitation process during courtesy visit to the office of the Parliament Speaker  last January 29.

Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong received Ditte Marie Fallesen, senior social development specialist;  Marcelo Jorge Fabre, senior conflict and violence specialist;  Victor Dato, senior infrastructure specialist; and Michael Frank Alar, WB consultant.

Mindanao's 1st ASF case confirmed in DavOcc town

Google map of Don Marcelino town, Davao Occidental.

DAVAO CITY --- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region-11 said it immediately activated Friday (January 31) the Regional Animal Disease Task Force for Davao Region following confirmation of the African Swine Fever (ASF) case in the Davao Occidental town of Don Marcelino.

OCD-11 Director Liza Mazos said the case -- the first in the entire Mindanao -- was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture in Region-11 (DA-11), whose officials said they were unable to issue a statement pending a directive from the DA central office.

In a Facebook post last January 31, Don Marcelino Mayor Michael Maruya ordered a "24/7 temporary lockdown" in the selling and buying of pigs following the death of about 1,000 heads of swine in eight barangays, namely: Linadasan, North Lamidan, South Lamidan, Calian, Mabuhay, Lawa, Nueva Villa, and Baluntaya.

Editorial

Away with the virus, adopt healthy living

The incidence of novel-coronavirus acute respiratory disease is scary that the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak, which was discovered in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province of China, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after it has spread to several countries, including the Philippines with some 80 individuals suspected of positive n-Cov ARD as of late February 3.

The WHO declaration was made after incidences of fatalities from the virus reached 213 in China and elsewhere as of January 31. The designation is aimed at mobilizing international resources to deal with the epidemic.

Already, countries have set up measures to check or contain its spread, including lockdown and quarantines. Our consolation for the moment is its absence, so far, in our region. As this goes, surgical face masks are depleting or already out of stock, especially in highly urbanized areas in Metro Manila and Cebu, even if health authorities say these are not really needed except as preventives for those inflicted with cough and colds and fever and for those involved in medical services, such as hospital personnel.