COTABATO CITY --- Maguindanao Provincial Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu led the reconciliation between Maricor and Oranto families on Tuesday, June 1, at Parang municipal gymnasium.
A clan war – locally known as “rido” – has been a long-standing struggle of the local government of Parang under the leadership of Mayor Cahar Ibay due to possible collateral damages.
In a message, Governor Sangki-Mangudadatu said rido settlements are important to ensure peace and development in the province.
Under the PURE (Peace Unity, Reconciliation and Empowerment) campaign, the governor has listed 34 successful rido settlements, ranging from the most enduring to the recently resolved Maricor-Oranto conflict.
The said families have been at war for 13 years, according to Member of Parliament Datu Tucao O. Mastura.
Also, the governor urged her constituents to remain in the pursuit of peace and development by maintaining an image of a conflict-free province, where the people live in harmony and fear of the teachings of Islam.
“First of all, let us remember that our journey here on earth is just short, which was bestowed by the Almighty Allah. Hence, let us use our lives in leaving a good legacy to the future generation,” she said.
“I always tell this that our province was once part of the empire province of Cotabato. It is high-time to change our image by ensuring that our government is responsive to needs and welfare of the people,” she added.
She also commended the initiative of the warring families to reconcile their personal and deep-rooted conflicts.
“I thank the families for uniting in this cause towards achieving a peaceful province. We know that as Maguindanaons, we share the same blood and faith as Muslims,” she said.
Meanwhile, the governor also shared her sentiments on the recent division of the province of Maguindanao into two: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
“I thank the principal sponsor of the bill, 1st District Congressman Datu Ronnie Quizada Sinsuat, who was actively supported by Senators Francis Tolentino, Bong Go, and His Excellency President Rodrigo Duterte,” she said
She said that a total of P120 million was allotted for the conduct of plebiscite from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
The division, she added, is necessary to boost employment and economic progress in the provinces.
“As a result of the division, we will employ more workers to be deployed in the now separate provincial offices of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. A new provincial police director will also be installed,” she said.
Moreover, she disclosed that Cotabato City and the border in Lanao del Sur are both under control since its status was changed to the more restrictive General Community Quarantine (GCQ) due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. The province of Sultan Kudarat also appeals to change its status to GCQ.
Amidst COVID-19, she reminds the people of Maguindanao to stay prudent and obedient to health protocols due to the limited health facilities and attending frontliners.
“Honestly, our health facilities are fully occupied. And
we only have at least 101 medical practitioners. As much as possible, let us
refrain from going outside and let us follow the set health protocols
implemented by the government agencies,” she said. (Anne B. Acosta)
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