Economic Growth Linkages cluster meeting

The ARMM Economic Growth Linkages (EGL) cluster convened today, June 3, in Cotabato City to discuss the issue of the Sabah trade blockade in the Sulu Sea.

Atty. Ishak V. Mastura, chair of ARMM's Regional Board of Investments and the EGL, said they will be considering the policy recommendations discussed during the meeting to manage the impact of the trade blockade in the region's economy especially in the province of Tawi-Tawi. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose)

RPDO-ARMM holds workshop on TRIP-CIIP

Representatives from different line agencies of the ARMM attended a one-day enhancement workshop on the Three-Year Rolling Infrastructure Program-Comprehensive and Integrated Investment Program (TRIP-CIIP) on Thursday, June 2 in Cotabato City. 

The workshop was organized by the ARMM's Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO). Melanie Indar, chief of RPDO-ARMM's Macro Economic Planning Division, said the TRIP-CIIP ensures that the agency's annual budget ceiling can be optimized and utilized in funding priority infrastructure programs, activities and projects (PAPs) that are responsive to the outputs and outcomes of the Philippine Development Plan. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose)

Senior high teacher applicants undergo English Proficiency Exam

The Department of Education (DepEd-ARMM) administered an English Proficiency Examination to more than 1,330 applicants for senior high school teachers on Wednesday, June 01, in Cotabato City. Successful applicants will fill-in teaching positions in senior high schools in the schools divisions of Maguindanao I and II, Lanao Sur I and II and Marawi City.

The applicants had earlier undergone teaching demonstration, panel interview and intensive screening of their pertinent papers such as transcript of records, overall average rating in college, and other credentials. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose)

IOM holds anti-human trafficking workshop.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a Participatory Planning and Capacity Development Workshop on June 1-2, 2016 at Pagana Kutawato in Cotabato City.

The workshop is the first step in the planning process for the Cotabato City and Maguindanao road show, a series of activities that aim to build social resiliency for human trafficking prevention using a specific communication approach.

Representatives from selected ARMM regional agencies, local government units, academe, Philippine National Police, and non-government organizations attended the event. (Bureau of Public Information-Mindanao Expose)

Warring politicians in Butig signed peace covenant

By Becky D. de Asis

Marawi City (June 2, 2016) -  The Commission on Election, police and the Philippine Army of 41st and 51st Infantry battalions and Ranao coalition for synergetic reform and kazalimbago movement conducted a peace covenant in Butig, (April 26,2016) in order to prevent the unpredictable happenning's between the two  warring politicians were running the mayoralty post in the said municipality.

According to Ltc. William GS Cordova of 41st Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army that this covenant is one of their efforts to give solutions of the common problems during election time. He said that the municipality of Butig is one of  Lanao Sur concern municipality  or under comelec control because of the presence of Mauti group links to Isis, the International terrorists group of the country.

The peace covenant held in 41st infantry battalion in Lumbanayage, a nearby municipality of Butig because both mayoralty candidates and their supporters wants a neutral place for the said talks. Cordova added that this is good decision  to prevent bad perception of bothj candidates and their supporters.

Mayoralty candidate Atty. Dimnatang Pansar of Liberal party  said that he is willing to sign the covenant because he wants a total peace and ends the hunger children's in Butig. 'We need to binds our hands and sign the agreement just  for the sake of our children.s freely playing our backyard safely', said Pansar. " We ends our misunderstanding for the sake of

our people, instead of fighting, we build projects and develop our municipality", he added. 

Mayor Ibrahim Macadato, incumbent mayor also said, that this peace covenant rendered by the military, comelec and NGO is a very good steps through peace development which is the muncipality needs, more  particular the incoming election that their is no untoward incidents  during the election day. He hopes that this covenant is not only here in Lumbanayage where the place of  signing, it is implemented by hearts and honesty, so that the peace covenant we signed, true and authentic peace agreement in our municipality", Macadato lamented.

The peace covenant ended in mass signing of the candidates including their supporters, NGO, milititary, police and civilians who attended the said activity. 

Butig Mayor elected Dimnatang Pansar

Mayor Dimnatang Pansar 

By Becky D. de Asis

Marawi City (June 2, 2016) - The most controversial municipality of Lanao Del Sur has a new elected municipal mayor. During the elections last May 9, it has 7-mortar shelling's toward the barangay Bayabao and the municipal hall  while the supporters casts their votes. Election Officer Solaiman Rasad said, that the election was very successful even it has harrassments and mortar shelling's but the condition's still under control by the 51th Infantry battallion and the policemen of the said municipality.

Atty, Dimnatang Pansar was proclaimed by the comelec earlier in May 10.  Based on Municipal certificate of canvass, Atty Dimnatang Pansar  (LP) garnered 4,446 votes while incumbent mayor (UNA) Ibrahim Macadato garnered only 4, 112 votes. 

Mayor Dimnatang Pansar said that being a newly elected mayor of Butig, he needs to change the system of the last executive of the municipality wherein the peace and order situation's was not the priority because of the incidents happend last February that the extremist Maute group attack the town of Butig. " Being a mayor and lawyer, I want to change  the Butig, a new and progressive municipality of Lanao Del Sur".  He added, that he never tolerate any lawless elements freely to maneuver and lambasted the town by their wrong-doings and barbaric activities.

Pansar said that he make Butig a newly, progressive and free of everything on what is good for everybody.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Butig, a week after election the Maute group started to attack the residence and resulted the mass evacuation and leaving 2-dead on the spot of military side and more wounded. while the Maute group leaving more wounded comrades and unaccounted dead on spot during the attack happened.

ARMM monitors HDAP projects in Maguindanao.

The Regional Project and Monitoring Committee (RPMC) of the ARMM, in coordination with the region's Humanitarian and Development Action Plan (HDAP) Project Managament Office (PMO), is conducting field monitoring visits of the ARMM-HDAP projects being implemented this year in the province of Maguidanao.

The projects have a combined allocation of P240 million and include the constructions of the Central Maguindanao Development Cooperation Peace Center, a municipal hall and an integrated potable water system.

It is being implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-ARMM. The monitoring started Monday, May 30, and will end on Friday, June 3, 2016. (Bureau of Public Information)

Maguindanao launches Women Peace Center Manual of Operation

The Maguindanao Women and Children Peace and Action Center (MWCPAC) launched its Manual of Operation on Monday, May 30, 2016, in Buluan, Maguindanao.

The event was graced by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretaries Atty. Cleofe Gettie Sandoval and Atty. Jose Lorena, ARMM officials headed by Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Shariffa Pearlsia Dans, Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) Chair Jehanne Mutin, and women representatives from the 36 municipalities of the province.

The ARMM in partnership with the OPAPP has built a women and children peace center in the region's seat in Cotabato City and in each of its 5 member provinces to provide livelihood trainings and other capacity building programs, and to assist women in need (trafficked and victims of violence).

The establishment of the MWCPAC was jointly funded by the OPAPP and the Provincial Government of Maguindanao. (Bureau of Public Information)

DepEd-ARMM kicks off Brigada Eskwela

Cotabato City (May 30, 2016) – Education Sec. Dr. John Magno of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led today a series of cleanup activities in different public elementary and high schools in the coastal areas of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao to mark the start of the annual weeklong school maintenance activity dubbed ‘Brigada Eskwela’.

Magno said that aside from the cleanup drive, this year’s ‘Brigada Eskwela’ will also give emphasis on school disaster-preparedness and readiness for the implementation of the K to 12 program.

He said they want to make sure that schools in the ARMM are safe and conducive to education.

The 2016 ‘Brigada Eskwela’ or National Schools Maintenance Week carries the theme “Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos, at Handa Mula Kindegarten Hanggang Senior High School” (All of us for safe and proper schools, and ready from Kindergarten to Senior High School) and aims to unite communities in ensuring a better future for Filipino children.

Magno said the region’s education officials and teachers are working with parents, barangay officials, students and other volunteers to clean and prepare schools in time for the opening of classes on June 13.

“We are happy and grateful for the annual ‘Brigada Eswela’ and the support that we get from the DepEd-ARMM,” said Tukan Mangulamas, a supply officer at the second schools division of Maguindanao.

The Australian Government-funded BEAM (Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao)-ARMM program has earmarked P8.9 million this year for minor repairs of classrooms in 225 public elementary and high schools as well as the provision of chairs and tables to 53 madaris (Islamic school).

The BEAM-ARMM will also provide curriculum guide, teacher’s guide and learning materials.

“The DepEd-ARMM and BEAM have helped us improve our schools and encourage children to attend classes,” Evelyn Kanain, Senior High Coordinator of the Schools Division of Sulu.

Kanain said the assistance from BEAM-ARMM will improve the quality of education in various schools not only in Sulu but in the entire region as well.

Disaster preparedness activities will be integrated in the education program of public schools to better prepare students in the events of typhoons, floods and other natural calamities.

Brigada Eskwela was started in 2003 and has three main objectives such as to practice shared governance; to bring the spirit of education to the community level and to utilize local resources to public schools. (Bureau of Public Information)