Lanao del Sur mobilizes joint efforts to tackle measles outbreak

The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) emphasized the necessity of a whole-of-society approach to containing the measles outbreak in Lanao del Sur. 

IPHO Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang made the call during an emergency meeting with the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Officers for measles outbreak response at the Provincial Capitol Conference here on March 20.

"Although it is a health issue, to deliver services like vaccination, we need to help health workers," he said.

Minalang said the assistance could be in the form of mobilization, especially for hard-to-reach areas due to security and transportation issues.

He highlighted the urgency of simultaneous vaccination efforts due to the outbreak, noting that under normal circumstances, health workers could handle vaccination by scheduling visits to barangays or individuals visiting RHUs.

IPHO is currently ramping up its response efforts through an intensified vaccination campaign at the barangay level. The house-to-house vaccination commenced on March 19, aiming to reach all children until March 29.

"We have to contain the virus within 10 days. In those 10 days, we need to reach all those target children. We call it non-selective vaccination or outbreak-response immunization. It means that all children aged six months up to five years old will be vaccinated," the IPHO chief said.

Provincial DRRM Office head Shaminoden Sambitory echoed the same call, emphasizing the need for proactive measures at the municipal level. "First and foremost, at the municipal level, we should convene the local health board to discuss this outbreak and how we eradicate it," he stated.

He further highlighted the significance of activating Emergency Operations Centers as a platform for coordinated planning and management of the outbreak.

Sambitory underscored that even a single case of measles within a community constitutes an outbreak. While the PDRRMO primarily addresses natural and human-induced hazards or disasters, health emergencies such as outbreaks or epidemics fall within the purview of the PDRRMO's mandate.

According to the latest report from IPHO, the cumulative measles cases in the province from 2023 up to March 19 have reached 1,181, with Marawi City accounting for 551 cases. A total of 13 of these cases have resulted in deaths. 

According to the Ministry of Health's report, Lanao del Sur registered 220 cases between January 1 and March 20, followed by Maguindanao del Norte with 163 cases and Marawi City with 80 cases. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

Lanao del Sur PLGU bolsters efforts to safeguard children's welfare

Provincial Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Jr. reiterated the commitment of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Government to safeguarding the welfare and rights of children.

In his Lanao del Sur Children's Report, Adiong bared the Provincial Government's initiatives in mainstreaming children's rights, such as the implementation of the Ranaw Children's Code. This legislative framework recognizes the indispensable role of youth and children in nation-building and aims to ensure their protection and well-being.

Among the significant efforts highlighted by the governor was the reinforcement of the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) and the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (PCAT-VAWC), allocating one percent of the province’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to support programs and activities geared towards child welfare.

Adiong also outlined various initiatives focused on enhancing children's health and education. These initiatives included providing medical assistance to 3,948 pediatric patients, organizing health summits, implementing a 90-day feeding program targeting malnourished children, and distributing welfare goods to Torils, schools, orphans, and indigent children. Support was likewise extended to 59 special education (SPED) learners, 77 children with disabilities, and 800 children of solo parents through monthly assistance and care packages. 

Highlighting the importance of sports engagement, the governor further underscored the provision of support to children participating in sports activities such as the Division Meet and Palarong BARMMAA, which included the distribution of sacks of rice. Moreover, schools and madrasahs across the province have received a total of 10,000 armed chairs to enhance learning environments.

In terms of infrastructure, Adiong emphasized the enhancement of school and children's facilities, including the establishment of 112 water and sanitation facilities, 27 health centers, a one-story progressive type of school building for Grade 10 of MSU-ILS, 29 child development centers, nine learning centers, 29 school buildings, and one open gymnasium for Ibn Siena Integrated School. 

The provincial government also introduced the Arabic Alphabet in Sign Language program. This initiative, which the Lanao People's Park and Public Library are facilitating, aims to increase the knowledge and accessibility of education for children with disabilities.

Adiong underlined the importance of collective responsibility for providing a safe and nurturing environment for the youth and expressed the provincial government's commitment to collaboration with other organizations to further enhance the well-being of children.

“Our collective responsibility is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our youth. Partnering with organizations like UNDP, UNICEF, Save the Children, and others, we aim to strengthen our commitment to the well-being of Meranaw and Bangsamoro learners,” he reiterated. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)

Wao townsfolk unite vs legislative proposal to split municipality

Residents of Wao town in Lanao del Sur province are vehemently opposing a legislative proposal by Bangsamoro Parliament Member (MP) Ali Montaha Babao to divide their municipality into two through Parliament Bill No. 271.

The bill aims to establish the municipality of Pilintangan, comprising 11 barangays to be taken from the existing 26 barangays of Wao. The affected barangays include Balatin, Buntongan, Buot, East Kili Kili, Kadingilan, Mimbuaya, Muslim Village, Panang, Park Area, Pilintangan, and Western (Poblacion), with its seat of government in Barangay Pilintangan.

The surprising revelation of the proposal on social media, coupled with the lack of consultations with local officials and affected barangays, has sparked outrage among Wao townsfolk.

In a recent public rally at the municipal hall grounds, Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. expressed his discontent, emphasizing the absence of consultations and the potential chaos the bill might bring to their town. As such, he urged MP Babao to withdraw PB 271, asserting that the proposed legislation lacks legitimacy.

"Ginahangyo ko kay MP Babao nga i-withdraw niya ang kining bill nga iyang giduso sa Parliament kay naghatag lang kini sa kagubot diri sa atun banwa. Ginahangyo nako ang atong minister nga kung mahimo, ginahangyo ko sa iyaha nga ipa-retract na ang bill sa nagsponsor kay makaguba kini sa Wao," he expressed.

[I am asking MP Babao to withdraw this bill that he pushed in Parliament because it is only causing chaos in our town. I am asking our minister to tell the sponsor of the bill to retract it because it will destroy Wao.]

Barangay captains directly affected by the proposal also voiced their concerns during the rally.

Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Rakiin Adiong expressed solidarity with the people of Wao, assuring them of the provincial government's support in opposing the measure.

"Hindi tayo papayag na itong Wao ay ma-divide into two. Dahil alam naman natin na isa sa mga progressive na municipality [sa Lanao del Sur] ang Wao. And yet, kung hahatiin mo, back to zero tayo, at 'yun ang mahirap. Kung ano man 'yung pinagpaguran ng lahat ng naging leaders, ng mga constituents ay mapupunta sa wala kapag ito ay na-approve," he said.

[We will not allow this Wao to be divided into two. We know that Wao is one of the progressive municipalities in Lanao del Sur. And yet, if you divide it, we're back to zero, and that's the hard part. Whatever the leaders and constituents have worked hard for will go to nothing when the bill is approved.]

Meanwhile, Balicao expressed appreciation to Wao's Sangguniang Bayan members and barangay captains, civil society organizations, the business sector, and religious groups who submitted their position papers against the proposal.

The bill stipulates that a plebiscite will be conducted 60 days after its approval, allowing affected barangays and residents to express their positions. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)

MAFAR Lanao del Sur conducts adaptability trial for declining upland rice varieties

The Agriculture Research Outreach Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) in Lanao del Sur, spearheaded an adaptability trial for declining upland rice varieties in Butig, Lanao del Sur on February 28

In collaboration with the MAFAR Butig Office and local community volunteers, the initiative aimed to combat the declining presence of specific upland rice varieties in the province.

The trial focused on evaluating the adaptability and performance of 10 distinct rice varieties, namely Mamayad sa Bayadan, Goket, Dinorado, Kiraban, Kapokaw, Makasapi, Matanos, Sagol, Organic Black Rice, and Makalitag.

Agriculture Research Outreach Station head Amer Magarang said the trial, which included soil sampling, fertilizer application, and the planting of the rice varieties, sought to collect extensive data on each variety's characteristic performance under local conditions. 

Magarang underscored the importance of these trials, highlighting the pressing need to preserve these upland rice varieties, which have been gradually losing prominence in local farming practices. 

He also emphasized the trials as crucial steps to identify resilient and productive rice strains suited for Lanao Del Sur's upland regions, aligned with MAFAR's commitment to agricultural sustainability. (APB with reports from MAFAR Lanao del Sur / PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)

PDRRMO, BFP-BARMM boost Lanao Sur responders' skills in high-angle rescue

Setting a benchmark in emergency response proficiency in Lanao del Sur province, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has joined forces with the Bureau of Fire Protection in the Bangsamoro Region (BFP-BARMM) to elevate the skills of first responders.

Through the high-angle rescue training facilitated by the BFP-BARMM Special Rescue Force, 18 first responders from BFP Lanao del Sur and PDRRMO are now more skilled in rescuing people from cliffs and other high structures, leading to faster and safer responses.

The extensive training held in Moncado Kadingilan in Marawi City spanned 15 days and covered different scenarios, including rope access techniques, designed for navigating and executing rescues in high-angle environments.

Fire Officer Ameroden Naga, a participant in the program, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to undergo the training and fortify his life-saving skills, citing the knowledge gained through training as the most significant equipment for rescuers like him.

"Kung wala kaming mga training, wala kaming kaalaman sa pagresponde at pagtulong sa mga komunidad na tinatamaan ng mga sakuna o kalamidad [without training, we lack the expertise to respond effectively and assist communities struck by disasters or calamities]," he emphasized.

Thrilled to be part of the training, responder Farhan Amer shared his enthusiasm for learning specialized techniques and tactics alongside fellow responders. He said the training equipped them with a specialized skill set that will prove valuable in challenging high-angle scenarios. 

Naif Polayagan, another responder, was also grateful for the acquired skills that empower them to navigate complex high-angle situations. "Natutunan ko sa training ang proper na pag rescue through high angle rescue technique. Nagpapasalamat ako sa provincial government of Lanao del Sur at lalo na sa Bureau of Fire Protection-BARMM na kami ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makasali sa training," he added.

[I learned the proper way to rescue through high-angle rescue techniques during the training. I extend my gratitude to the provincial government of Lanao del Sur and, especially, the Bureau of Fire Protection-BARMM for the opportunity to participate in the training.] (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)

Marawi Mayor lauds "Tara, Basa!" program for driving favorable educational change

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra lauded the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) "Tara, Basa!" tutoring program, emphasizing its role in fostering dynamic learning within the community.

Beyond merely providing academic assistance, Gandamra highlighted the program's mission to establish a supportive community where every child can thrive, evolve, and envision a brighter future. 

During the program's memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing on February 15, the mayor also underscored the significance of creating an environment that actively engages parents through Nanay-Tatay sessions, empowering them to play an integral role in their children's educational journey.

The tutoring program aims to address educational challenges faced by elementary-level learners, particularly those with difficulty in reading, including college students with financially challenged backgrounds. 

Set to benefit 1,500 incoming Grade 2 learners in Marawi, the program strategically targets 800 learners from formal schools and 700 from Madrasah, an institution specializing in Arabic language and Islamic education. 

College students, identified through a partnership with the Mindanao State University Main campus, will serve as tutors and youth development workers.

"By capacitating and deploying college students as tutors and youth development workers, we are not only enhancing the academic skills of our children but also nurturing a generation of compassionate and empowered youth leaders," the mayor remarked.

Firmly grounded in the belief that education is the most powerful tool for societal transformation, Gandamra conveyed his unwavering commitment to ensuring the success of the "Tara, Basa!" program in the city.

The tutoring program will start between May and July this year, once selected college students complete the required social preparation and capability-building activities. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)

"Tara, Basa!" program to boost literacy for 2,070 learners in Lanao del Sur

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is rolling out the "Tara, Basa!" tutoring program in Lanao del Sur, with a mission to enhance the literacy of 2,070 Grade 2 learners who are having difficulty in reading comprehension.

Among the targeted learners, 1,500 will come from Marawi City, while an additional 570 will be from the municipality of Taraka.

The DSWD, the city government of Marawi, and the Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Campus inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) last week to officially launch the program. A similar agreement between DSWD-10, MSU, and the municipal government of Taraka is scheduled for this week.

‘Tara, Basa!’ is a holistic program aiming to assist elementary learners grappling with reading difficulties in improving their foundational reading skills while offering short-term employment opportunities for financially challenged college students.

College students will serve as tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) throughout 20 sessions, each lasting 2 to 3 hours. Akin to the government's cash-for-work program, these students will receive regionally accepted minimum wages per session.

In Lanao del Sur, the program sets its sights on engaging 310 college students, with 207 stepping into tutoring roles and 103 assuming the responsibilities of YDWs. Education students will take on tutoring responsibilities, while social work students will fulfill the roles of YDWs. The MSU System administration will be able to identify them.

Accordingly, the YDWs will lead the parenting and learning sessions, targeting parents and guardians of struggling and non-reader learners. DSWD-10 highlights that this crucial component of the program seeks to empower parents and strengthen community support systems to ensure the program's sustainability.

Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra emphasized the program's community-building aspect during the MoA signing.

"This program goes beyond academic assistance; it is about building a community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream. It is about creating an environment where parents are engaged and empowered through Nanay-Tatay sessions to support their children’s education," he said.

MSU System President Basari Mapupuno echoed similar sentiments, expressing the opportunity to improve the educational outcomes and quality of life for children.

"I felt that we should definitely not miss out on this chance to improve not only the educational outcomes of the children here but also these children's chances of having a better quality of life as a result of being better readers," he said.

The identified college students will undergo social preparation and capability building before the tutoring sessions commence, which are scheduled around May and July. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)