NNC inks MOA with DOH-ARMM on alleviating malnutrition and hunger

Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur (19 March) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) has forged a partnership with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) thru the Department of Health (DOH) to institutionalize the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the region.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed yesterday by NNC Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores and DOH-ARMM Secretary Kadil Jojo Sinolinding, Jr at the Lanao Technical College with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, ARMM Acting Governor Ansarrudin Adiong, and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. as witnesses.

The agreement provides for the creation of NNC in the region under the DOH that will formulate relevant region-specific nutrition policies, guidelines and other instruments to ensure that the planning and implementation of the provincial, city, municipal and barangay nutrition programs are consistent with the national nutrition policy and program framework.

NNC Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores said the MOA signing will jumpstart the implementation of the Promote Good Nutrition (PGN) component of the Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program (AHMP) which is considered as one of the legacies of President Arroyo.

She said e forging of partnership is an indication of the shared commitment of NNC and DOH-ARMM to deliver government services to all barangays in the region.

DOH-ARMM Secretary Kadil Jojo Sinolinding, Jr. meanwhile pledges commitment to fully support in the implementation of the agreement.

We, in the DOH, commit ourselves to support the initiatives of our President for the health and nutritional welfare of the people in the region, he said.

The NNC will transfer to DOH-ARMM Php28.251-million to cover requirements for the PGN component of AHMP and operational expenses. The amount will be released to DOH-ARMM in tranches, subject to the submission of fund utilization report verified by the Commission on Audit (COA) resident auditor and the accomplishment report for all the targeted activities.

Among the PGN-related activities that will be conducted includes the training of trainers on infant and young child feeding; nutrition management program; basic course for barangay nutrition scholars and training on PGN for municipal, city and barangay implementers.

0

Lanao del Sur dad thanks President Arroyo for projects in the province

Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur (19 March) -- Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal 'Bombit' Adiong Jr. expressed gratitude to President Arroyo for all the programs and projects undertaken by her administration spurring positive growth in the province. 

He said the President has allocated funds for infrastructure development particularly farm-to-market roads and irrigation systems that provided means for farmers to be more productive ensuring food security in the province. 

She has placed anti-poverty measures as the centerpiece of her political platforms that is why we in the local government were able to effectively cascade the delivery of basic social services to our constituents, Adiong added. 

The Governor further cited the social assistance programs of the national government in which the province is one of the beneficiaries. 

Lanao del Sur is beneficiary to such social services of the national government including the monthly stipends for the elderly more known as the Katas ng VAT, Pera Para kay Lolo at Lola; the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps for the marginalized families through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); school feeding program of the Department of Education (DepEd), free vaccination of the Department of Health (DOH); and training scholarships through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Adiong further cited.

0

President Arroyo underscores importance of price monitoring to combat hunger

Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur (19 March) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed yesterday the importance of monitoring the prices of basic commodities as a means to fight hunger and malnutrition. 

The President said there are many reasons why the people experienced hunger. One of the reasons she specifically cited is the high prices of basic and prime commodities which prevented the people from getting access to good nutrition thus worsening poverty. 

She said she brought with her newly-appointed Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli Lapus to help her monitor market prices of basic commodities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Western Mindanao.

President Arroyo visited the town of Lumbatan to witness the forging of alliance between the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Department of Health (DOH) in the ARMM. 

She said the agreement ensures that the Promote Good Nutrition (PGN) component of the Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed at alleviating malnutrition and hunger will be sustainably carried out to all barangays in the country. 

The AHMP is one of the banner programs of President Arroyo to reduce hunger incidence, malnutrition problems and poverty in the country.

The President further appealed to the people to work together to combat poverty. 

"Magtulungan tayong lahat para labanan ang kahirapan," the President said.

0

PGMA witnesses signing of agreement on nutrition and hunger mitigation

Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur (19 March) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed yesterday, March 18, the signing of memorandum of agreement between the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) for the establishment of a nutrition office similar to the NNC to oversee, coordinate and implement the nutrition projects and activities in the region. 

The nutrition office will also implement the projects and activities under the Promote Good Nutrition (PGN) component of the Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program (AHMP) in the ARMM provinces which includes Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. 

Launched in 2007 in 54 priority provinces, cities and municipalities, the AHMP is one of the banner programs of President Arroyo to reduce hunger incidence, poverty and malnutrition problems in the country. 

The MOA signing was held at the Lanao Technical College with NNC Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores and DOH-ARMM Secretary Kadil Jojo Sinolinding, Jr as signatories. 

Acting ARMM Governor Ansarrudin Adiong and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. were also present to witness the signing.

0

Double registrants to vote only once -- Comelec

Islamic City of Marawi, Lanao del Sur (15 March) -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here reiterated that double registrants in the province are allowed to vote only once this coming 2010 national and local elections.

Atty. Nasib Yasin, Provincial Election Supervisor said in cases where registrants are found to be registered in two (2) or more districts or municipalities, the latest registration shall prevail. 

He added that they shall be allowed to vote only in the district or municipality of their latest registration. 

He also stressed that for double or multiple registrants found within the same municipality, their original registration shall prevail over subsequent registrations. 

According to the latest report from the COMELEC, 704,542 voters were found to have double or multiple records. 

Yasin said pursuant to Resolution 8791, the COMELEC resolves the abatement of previous records of voters found to have registered more than once.

He also said that the Board of Election Inspectors is directed not to allow these voters to vote in their respective precincts in the May 10, 2010 elections.

The COMELEC resolution further provides that the registration records of said voters be deleted in the next Election Registration Board hearings.

0

Training for Lanao del Sur teachers on poll automation starts today

Islamic City of Marawi (09 March) – The training of teachers who will serve as board of election inspectors (BEIs) in Lanao del Sur is scheduled to start today, March 9.

According to Provincial Election Supervisor Nasib Yasin, the training aims to prepare the BEIs on how to conduct the voting and administer the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

He revealed that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) slated March 9 to April 3 for the trainings for 2,446 BEIs in the province.

This week, March 9 to March 14, we will be training the members of the BEIs from the towns of Saguiaran, Pualas, Tugaya, Taraka, Tamparan, and Sultan Dumalondong, the Provincial Election Supervisor said.

Lanao del Sur has 1,223 clustered precincts with Marawi City having the most number of clustered precincts at 116.

In a related development, the COMELEC said that the members of BEIs will also receive P1,300 in addition to their honorarium of P3,000.

Section 14 of COMELEC Resolution 8786 states that each members of BEIs shall receive P500 for the inspection, verification, and sealing of book of voters, P500 for the testing and sealing of machines, and another P300 for one-time transportation allowance as well as service credits for three (3) days of service.

Their support staff shall also receive an honorarium of P1, 500 each and service credits for three (3) days.

The resolution further states that there shall be at least one (1) Department of Education (DepEd) supervisor official with one (1) support staff for every polling center. In case of polling centers with more than 10 clustered precincts and additional DepEd supervisor official with one (1) support staff will be added.

Supervisors shall also receive an honorarium of P3,000 and service credits for three (3) days of service while their support staff shall receive and honorarium of P1,500 and three (3) days service credits.

0

PDEA urges youth to stay drug-free

Islamic City of Marawi (08 March 2010) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) calls on the youth to support them by saying no to illegal drugs.

PDEA made the call during the drug awareness symposium held yesterday at the academic complex of the Mindanao State University (MSU), this city.

Bryan B. Babang, Officer-In-Charge of PDEA-ARMM said that the support of the youth is important in the fight against illegal drugs.

He urges them to stay drug-free and to encourage their friends to say no to drugs.

The Officer-In-Charge also appealed to all the participants to report illegal drug activities to PDEA. “With your information on some personalities engage in illegal drug trafficking, though how little they are or how simple they are, will really help us a lot,” he further said.

It is very difficult if you will leave the task to us, but if we will do it together, nothing will be impossible, he added.

The key to accomplishment is believing that what you can do will make a difference, he stressed.

Records from the PDEA show that the country has already an estimated nine (9) million Filipinos who are into drugs and that the most popular choices of drugs are still shabu, marijuana, inhalants and ecstasy.

PDEA is created under Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. It is responsible for the efficient and effective law enforcement and implementation of the national strategy on drug control formulated by the Dangerous Drugs Board

0

PDEA conducts drug awareness symposium in Marawi

Islamic City of Marawi (08 March 2010) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) holds Sunday, March 7, the first of the series of drug awareness symposia in the city.

With the theme “Pagyamanin ang Kinabukasan, Salot na Droga ay Iwasan,” it underscored the need to curb drug abuse and highlighted the role that everyone play in the prevention and control of dangerous drug abuse.

The symposium is a collaborative undertaking of PDEA-ARMM, the army’s 103^rd Infantry Brigade, and Mindanao State University (MSU)–Main Campus.

Bryan B. Babang, Officer-In-Charge of PDEA-ARMM said the community education and information campaign seeks to generate community involvement in the fight against illegal drugs and hopes to raise public awareness on the ill effects of dangerous drugs as well as the existing government policies directed against the use of dangerous drugs as embodied in Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

On the other hand, Prof. Jonathan B. Catubig of MSU hopes that this information drive will serve as a catalyst for change in solving the illegal drug issue in the country.

PDEA-ARMM covers the cities of Cotabato and Marawi as well as the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. It is responsible for the efficient and effective implementation of the national strategy on drug control in the said areas.

0