71 TESDA-ARMM graduates receive starter kits

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 31 (PIA) --- Seventy-one (71) scholars from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) completed their skills training and obtained free starter kits on graduation rites held October 29 at TESDA Training Center in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Of the 108 confirmed course finishers, 71 are residents of the ARMM and 37 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities in Region 12.

The confirmation, led by directors Omar Shariff Jaafar of the ARMM and Zeus Ampuyas of TESDA-12, marked the first batch of technical-vocational finishers under the P10-M Sajahatra Bangsamoro Skills Training Scholarship program funded by the national government.

The skills training is an educational component of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, which is a socio-economic initiative for Moro communities availing for them wider access to opportunities in alleviating poverty. Another component is focused on health services, including issuance of PhilHealth cards.

The Sajahatra is also aimed at accelerating the transition of conflict-affected communities into productive areas while the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) iron out the final peace agreement.

Tapping the TESDA-ARMM for its implementation, the program for 660 slots in the entire autonomous region covers free technical education and skills training, competency assessment fee, starter kit, and a P60/training day allowance for each beneficiary.

Ruby Andong, Sajahatra Bangsamoro program focal person, said around 424 beneficiaries in the ARMM are still undergoing their training in different localities in the region and are expected to complete their courses this month.
 

The short-term courses are computer hardware servicing, auto-servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, machining, commercial cooking, consumer electronics, dressmaking, food and beverage, and bread and pastry production.
 

“The program caters to the need for skills training of MILF rebel-returnees and their dependents for key employment and job generation,” she said.

Andong said a job matching scheme has been designed and will be launched early next year in support of the program.

The training program, expanding from 45 to 55 days, has the support of partner institutions, such as trade schools, as service providers accredited by the TESDA. 

Bohari Abdulkadir, 22, a former member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, now a graduate in Computer Hardware Servicing, said he’d rather choose his tool kit than his firearm. “Ito na ang pipiliin ko kesa baril. Balak ko pong makapagpatayo agad ng sarili kong computer repair shop (I will opt to this than firearms. I am planning to venture into computer repair shop).”

TESDA-ARMM director Jaafar urged the graduates to be the front-runners of hope and partners for development in the incoming Bangsamoro entity. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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DOH-ARMM tops ‘Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio” campaign

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 29 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was named as this year’s best performer in the anti-measles and anti-polio mass vaccination campaign throughout the country. 

The region’s Provincial Health Offices accomplished 102 percent in their anti-measles and 101 percent in anti-polio immunization campaign. 

In data released by the DOH-ARMM as of October 13 this year, 408,746 target infants and children were administered the anti-measles vaccines and 469,660 for anti-polio. 

The DOH established the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1976 to further strengthen the immunization program as mandated under Republic Act 10152 (Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011), which requires all children under five years old to be given the basic immunization. 

“Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio,” a month-long nationwide immunization campaign every September, aims to halt the growing cases of measles and make the Philippines a polio-free country. 

It also aims to protect about 13 million Filipino new-born and five-year old children against measles and rubella and 11 million against polio. 

Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM secretary, said that among the provinces in the region, Lanao del Sur got the highest percentage performance in both measles and rubella at 118 percent and oral polio vaccination at 117 percent. 

Even after the month-long campaign, Dr. Sinolinding said the DOH-ARMM in conduit with local government units will continue its effort to make the region measles and polio-free. 

To ascertain that the vaccination drive reaches the target clientele, the health units adopted the door-to-door strategy where the service providers and workers visited the households in coordination with the local government units, non-government organizations, barangay officials, and other health stakeholders. 

“Children who did not receive the supplemental dose of measles and polio vaccine can still go to the health centers for the vaccination” said Dr. Sinolinding. 

This year, about 2,000 midwives and nurses have been employed to help the health workers in administering immunization to almost one million babies and children across the region. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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TESDA-ARMM receives ISO certification

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 28 (PIA) --- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (TESDA-ARMM) has been awarded the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification, making it the first line agency in the ARMM to be granted the prestigious status by the TUV SUD PSB Philippines.

Omar Shariff Jaafar, TESDA-ARMM director, said the ISO recognition was confirmed following  the assessment conducted by the ISO third party certifying body last October 16-17, declaring that the agency has satisfactorily complied with the certification requirement.

An ISO 9001 accreditation is granted to private and government organizations that have conformed with the quality management system (QMS) incorporated in their work and service performance.

The QMS is a set of international standard procedures and manuals implemented by the organization in its internal-external and service dealings.

“We tackled everything in the aspects of our human resource competency, documents and records control, customer satisfaction policy, procurement, internal quality control, and our work environment,” he said.

“An ISO certification increases the transparency and accountability while ensuring efficiency in the performance of our functions,” Jaafar added.

In August 2014, the ARMM had invited resource persons from the Development Academy of the Philippines for an orientation on QMS in the government, a move to jumpstart ISO accreditation for its line agencies.

The Hataman administration is keen on promoting quality service, aiming to be at par with other developed regions and the world. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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Lanao del Sur execs express support to BBL

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 27 (PIA) ---- Local chief executives (LCEs) in the province reiterated their support for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Local Government here on October 23.

First District Representative Ansaruddin Adiong said the BBL will pave the way for the establishment of Bangsamoro entity which honors the remarkable achievements of Bangsamoro ancestors and acknowledges the identity of Bangsamoro.

He said the BBL will bring harmony and progress not only for the Bangsamoro but for all Filipinos.

Adiong said the effects of armed conflicts have been devastating and have resulted to loss of many lives, mostly civilians, and massive displacements of families.

“We are now very close to finally reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflicts that adversely affected the development of the nation and attain what has been elusive for the past several decades - peace in Mindanao,” he further said.

Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. also conveyed his support to the proposed BBL. “We look forward to the passage and enactment of the BBL at the Senate,” he said.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Lanao del Sur Chapter also aired their support for the passage of the BBL.

“The 39 members of the LMP in Lanao del Sur reiterates our commitment of support to the peace process and the BBL. We will seek the widest sectoral support and deepen public understanding of the BBL in the hope of gaining its prompt approval,” said LMP Chapter President and Poona-Bayabao Mayor Lampa Pandi.

He said they are optimistic that the BBL will be an instrument for lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

Senator Bongbong Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, said the public hearing was aimed to examine the different issues and positions of all stakeholders in the province.

“Everyone is looking for us to put together a good law that will finally succeed in bringing a lasting peace to Muslim Mindanao,” he said.

The Senate public hearing was participated by representatives from people’s organizations, local government units, academe, youth, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, media, and peace advocates in the two Lanao provinces. (APB/PIA-10)

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Women in ARMM are more empowered – PSA

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 25 (PIA) --- Women in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are more empowered compared to those in other regions in Mindanao, an official from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Wednesday.

Suod Barodi, PSA-ARMM interim regional director, said results of the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by PSA in 2013 show that women in the region have better participation in family decision-making, control over their earnings and rarely experience acts considered to be violence against women (VAW).

  

PSA says the 2013 NDHS “provides up-to-date information on the population and health situation in the Philippines.”

The NDHS show that 44 percent of working women in the ARMM have control over their earnings and have greater participation in decision-making on family matters such as health care and other major household concerns.

Only 2.7 percent of women in the region experienced VAW, which includes sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

In terms of help seeking behavior, 26.3 percent of them sought help to stop violence, a likely indicator of the women’s awareness on VAW and of government advocacies addressing it.

Further, the average percentage of pregnant women who experienced VAW is lower in the ARMM - 1.4 percent - compared to the national average of 4.2 percent. 

VAW cases in other regions in Mindanao are comparatively higher. Zamboanga peninsula registered 3.9 percent, CARAGA 9.3 percent, Northern Mindanao 9.6 percent, Davao region 9.8 percent and SOCSARGEN 11.4 percent.

“The NDH survey is reflective of the advancement on gender and development (GAD) code fostered with the Bangsamoro culture on its high regard for women,” Barodi said.

ARMM is also considered to be the safest place for women based on data released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in August this year. Only 82 of the 23,622 crimes against women committed during the first semester of 2014 happened in the region.

The ARMM was created in 1989 and is composed of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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ARMM reaffirms support to Bangsamoro Basic Law

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 24 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) reaffirmed its support to the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), otherwise known as House Bill No. 4994, in a public hearing conducted Thursday, October 23, by the House Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL in Cotabato City.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said the BBL will help lay down the foundation for lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

“The BBL is the highest expression of the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination, and we in the ARMM trusts its provisions will be implementable, feasible, and is directed for the good of the people,” she said.

The public hearing drew participants from local government units, people’s organizations, the academe and other stakeholders.

Representative Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the ad hoc committee, said the series of public hearings and consultations being undertaken separately by their committee and the Senate Committee on Local Government in different parts of Mindanao are meant to provide different stakeholders a venue to express their opinion and to be clarified on issues surrounding the proposed BBL.

The BBL will give way to the establishment of a new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro government, to replace the ARMM.

Alamia underscored the importance of placing the right people to complement the new structure, saying the new system would only be as good as the people running it.

“We are anticipating a better system with competent and committed people to administer the new entity,” she said.

Alamia said they support the passage of the law and have been hard at work to ensure a smooth transition to the political entity that will follow ARMM.

She said the leaders who will come after them will benefit from the gains of the reforms that have been undertaken by the working government of ARMM.

Other members of the ad hoc committee present were Representative Bai Sandra Sema of the 1st District of Maguindanao and Cotabato City, Representative Tupay Loong of Sulu and Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman of Basilan. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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ARMM joins 22nd National Children’s Month celebration

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 24 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) joins the nation in celebrating the 22nd National Children’s Month this October, cognizant of the importance of children’s role in the family, community, and the society as they, too, in their tender age and early capacities partake of the tasks in nation building.

“I do hope that this year’s celebration could open our minds for the urgent need to make our children live to its essence and meaning as an important foundation of the Bangsamoro society,” said Bai Rahima Datumanong-Alba, assistant secretary for operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development – ARMM.

This year’s theme “Bata Kasali Ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga” highlights children’s participation in decision-making so they can develop and enhance their potentials that could lend to their upbringing as future good leaders and the advancement of their physical, mental, and social well-being.

Children’s participation in decision-making within the family is one of the rights of children stated in Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

“Indeed, the children are one source of the ARMM’s strength, stability, and strength,” Alba said.

Meanwhile, DSWD-ARMM is conducting series of activities and programs for the promotion of the rights and welfare of children in the region during the month-long celebration.

The events substantiate and give meaning to the provision of Presidential Proclamation No. 267 declaring the month of October as national celebration month for children so they can be further acquainted with their vital roles in nation building through activities and exposures that meaningfully impart to them the values integral to the process of maturity. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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NNC-ARMM to address iodine deficiency disorder

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 22 (PIA) --- The Department of Health’s Regional Nutrition Committee (DOH-RNC) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will soon launch the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) to implement and monitor the National Salt Iodization Program of the national government.

RBATF coordinator Celia Sagaral said a regional core team will be created to effect the implementation of the program following positive response and support to the health program from partner agencies in a provincial form held recently in Zamboanga City, participated-in by RNC focal persons from the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

“There is a need to strengthen the awareness campaign on the prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) through use and consumption of iodized salt instead of our coarse salts,” Sagaral said.

Iodine, a mineral that is an essential component of thyroid hormones is vital in the development of the brain and central nervous system.

Iodine deficiency results to hypothyroidism or the common enlargement of the thyroid known as goiter.

In the 2008 National Nutrition Survey by the Foods and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), 19.7 percent of Filipino children fall low on Urinary Iodine Excretion (UIE) level which is indicative of a public health problem.

Ironically, ARMM ranks fifth in IDD despite abundance in aquamarine resources such as seaweeds and other sea foods.

“The RBATF as supported by Republic Act 8172 known as the Asin Law will reinforce the campaign for consumers to utilize iodize salt while encouraging local producers to include iodine in their produce,” said Sagaral.

Engaging government line agencies such as the Departments of Trade and Industry, Science and Technology, Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Education, and Philippine Ports Authority will enable RBATF to monitor and regulate the local supplies.

Joining DOH-RNC in promoting iodized salt, are the health advocates from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) who will provide inputs as to the qualitative advantage of iodine-based products.

A joint RBATF assembly is expected to formally launch and establish a fully operational task force to be spearheaded by the regional government and the regional nutrition council of DOH-ARMM.(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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DPWH-ARMM cites reforms, budget support in infra gains

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 22 (PIA) --- Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) underscored the gains in infrastructure development following instituted reforms in the agency as it marked its 24th anniversary last October 20 in rites held at its ground in the Office of the Regional Governor complex in Cotabato City.

ARMM Public Works Secretary Emil Sadain also said the momentum in program implementation got a boost following budgetary support for the regional government in fiscal year 2013 by 50 percent.

In 2014, he said the department has further sustained the reforms and infrastructures, attributing this to the increased budget at P5-B compared to the 2013’s P1.5-B.

For 2015, the ARMM’s coffer will further get a boost when its proposed budget of P10.1-B was approved by Congress incorporated in the National Appropriations Act.

The DPWH-national also poured in P2.9-B in the ARMM for national road projects in addition to the 2014 ARMM budget.

Other than budget support, Sadain said the instituted reforms in the department contributed to the high performance in program implementation, cleansing the department bureaucracy from irregularities, hence, emerging as the highest performing agency in the autonomous region.

Because of the feat, regional governor Mujiv Hataman lauded the DPWH-ARMM leadership for upholding the paradigm of reforms in the autonomous region.

“The department surpassed our expectations and had accelerated reforms and development in the ARMM,” Hataman said. “This has been the only agency that hasn’t caused me the headache.”

Hataman then urged the public works personnel to uphold the integrity in public service and continue to support the reforms while advocating support for the Bangsamoro transition.

“Salamat DPWH, patunay kayo ng reporma, simbolo kayo ng reporma, congratulations sa ating lahat (Thank you to the DPWH for being true and being a symbol in the reform, congratulations to all of us),” said Hataman.

The department celebration capped with inter-district sports competition, talent search, and solidarity gathering.

As anniversary bonus, each permanent employee will receive P15,000 while it will be P7,000 for job order and casual employees.(Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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Six public schools in ARMM get citations for promoting good hygiene

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 15 (PIA) -- Six schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have been given special citations today for their commendable implementation of the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP), a flagship government program that promotes handwashing, toothbrushing and deworming among school children.

The schools include the Kauran Elementary School and Sarmiento West Elementary School in Maguindanao, the Barith Elementary School and Ganassi Central Elementary School in Lanao del Sur, the Bato-Bato Central Elementary School in Tawi-Tawi, and the Harat Medina Central Elementary School in Marawi City.

The special citation is part of the celebration of the Global Handwashing Day, an event observed worldwide to help raise awareness on the importance of handwashing in promoting better health.

The EHCP is a school-based health program that combines daily handwashing with soap and water, toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, and deworming that is being implemented through DepEd Order 001, Series of 2011.

ARMM Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan said school children need to be taught with proper handwashing to help them avoid communicable diseases.

He said the practice is a cost effective, significant and efficient health intervention.

Kulayan said ARMM presently has more than 400 public health nurses assigned in different public schools to see to the health care of both students and faculty.

The EHCP program is supported by the Australian government-funded Basic Education Assistance of Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM), which has included its expansion among its component programs.

DepEd-ARMM in cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID, and Fit for School Incorporated, marked the Global Handwashing Day through a ceremonial handwashing activity to showcase and promote the significance of proper hygiene in the prevention of common diseases. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to hold summit on education

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 15 (PIA) --- Twenty mayors in different municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are proposing the conduct of a summit to help improve the quality and professionalize education system in the region.

The mayors made the proposal in a meeting on Tuesday, October 14, with ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman and Education Regional Secretary Jamar Kulayan, which was facilitated by Synergeia, “a coalition of individuals, institutions, and organizations working to improve the quality of basic education.”

The summit is expected to bring together officials in the region’s Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units and members of civil society groups to highlight innovations and best practices and address the role every stakeholder in the field of education.

Synergeia foundation, acting as third party between the ARMM government and Local Government Units, has helped build the capacity of LGUs in expanding the role of the local school board and empowering all stakeholders to improve basic education in the country through good governance.

In the ARMM, the foundation has facilitated regular meetings between ARMM’s regional government and different LGUs to strengthen and improved communication and relationship between the two parties to pave the way for progressive changes in the region’s education sector.

The working government of ARMM wants to increase the role of local government units in improving the quality of education and the performance of students in the region following some of the best practices set by Sarangani province, which has consistently shown impressive performance in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

On Monday, Hataman led a delegation of government officials from Basilan province and DepEd-ARMM in an educational visit to the town of Malungon in Sarangani as part of ARMM’s plan to replicate the province’s best practices on education.

Hataman said they see education as a long term solution to the illiteracy and poverty problem besetting the region. “We will not stop banking on the education of the youth in the region.”

“The education summit will help improve the educational system services of the region,” he said. (Bureau on Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to replicate Sarangani’s best practices on education

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 14 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is hoping to learn from the best practices on education of Sarangani province to help improve the academic performance of students in the region.

ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman and Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan on Monday, October 13, led a delegation composed of officials from the local government of Basilan and ARMM’s Department of Education (DepEd) in an educational visit to Sarangani, which has consistently ranked number one in Region 12 in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

NAT measures the performance and competence of students both in elementary and high school. Sarangani has outdone four other provinces and the five cities in Region 12 in terms of NAT result for two consecutive school years.

Hataman said ARMM will try to replicate the lessons learned from the Sarangani experience in fostering quality education. “We will start with Basilan to initially revolutionize the education model. Then, we will replicate all over ARMM.”

He said the regional government will be adopting a system to boost education programs that can be sustained through local government support.

The ARMM delegation visited the town of Malungon in the province and discussed with mayor Reynaldo Constantino the best practices that have contributed to the performance of students in the town in the NAT.  

“Education is a great equalizer, our best weapon against the protracted war on illiteracy and poverty,” Constantino said.

He said it takes political will to improve the quality of education.

Jamar Kulayan, ARMM education secretary, said they want to expose government officials in the ARMM to draw inspiration from the Malungon experience, learn from their interventions and apply their best practices.

Kulayan said they had conducted a similar educational visit involving education officials of Basilan province in the second week of August this year.

Meanwhile, Tahira Ismael, Basilan provincial administrator, is optimistic the experience will inspire local officials to improve interventions for educational advancement.

 “I’m glad to be part of this visit. I’m looking forward to the activation of the education cluster in Basilan to address instructional setbacks in our area,” she said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10

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Almost 10,000 flood-affected families get help from ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 14 (PIA) --- The Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM-HEART) provided relief assistance on October 10, to almost 10,000 families affected by flood in the 11 barangays in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao.

An Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) that hovered over Mindanao this week brought heavy rainfall, causing flood in several areas. The weather condition was exacerbated by Super Typhoon Ompong (international name Vongfong), though it did not directly hit the country.

ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman and Sultan Kudarat mayor Shamem Mastura led the distribution of relief goods to some of the flood-affected residents early morning Friday despite the downpour.

ARMM-HEART has distributed a total of 1,500 sacks of relief goods, catering close to 10,000 families.

The 11 affected barangays include Bulalo, Salimbao, Kalsada, Banubo, Katuli, Molaug, Gang,Makagiling, Limbo, Sinditan and Lower Rebuken, all considered flood-prone. Several families had to move either to the temporary shelters provided by the local government or stayed with relatives in other parts of the town.

Hataman said a long-term solution to the perennial flooding in the area must get underway.  

He said a flood-control proposal, which includes the construction of dikes and tributary diversions, crafted by the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways and endorsed to the Mindanao Development Authority has been submitted to the national government for funding and implementation. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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ARMM holds farmers forum in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) ---- Around 4,000 farmers from Lanao del Sur attended a forum to help improve government support to the agriculture sector in the province.

The farmers’ forum, organized by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) and the Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, was held at the Provincial Capitol Gym here Thursday, October 9.

ARMM Agriculture Secretary Macmod Mending said the forum was designed to help officials identify the concerns of farmers in the province and assist them access government support

DAF-ARMM also distributed P10.7 million worth of farm inputs and equipment to the farmers under the government’s Agri-Pinoy program.

The equipment, worth P6.1 million, included 10 units of thresher, 21 units of rice cutter and 1 combine harvester. The farm inputs consisted of 2,599 bags of rice seeds and 1,535 bags of corn seeds valued at around P4.6 million.

Farmer Gafaar Dorowan, 64, of Piagapo town, was delighted and said the assistance will help increase their yield in the next cropping season.

“We are thankful to the ARMM and the national government for providing support to farmers like us,” he said.

AMIN Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Hataman, ARMM Vice-Gov. Haroun Alrashid Lucman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mending and Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr., administrator of ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority, were present during the forum and led the distribution of agricultural inputs and machineries to the farmers.

The ARMM, composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, is among the country’s top producers of crops such as rice, cassava, corn, coffee and oil palm, and fruits like lanzones, mangosteen and durian. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) ---- Around 4,000 farmers from Lanao del Sur attended a forum to help improve government support to the agriculture sector in the province.

The farmers’ forum, organized by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) and the Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, was held at the Provincial Capitol Gym here Thursday, October 9.

ARMM Agriculture Secretary Macmod Mending said the forum was designed to help officials identify the concerns of farmers in the province and assist them access government support

DAF-ARMM also distributed P10.7 million worth of farm inputs and equipment to the farmers under the government’s Agri-Pinoy program.

The equipment, worth P6.1 million, included 10 units of thresher, 21 units of rice cutter and 1 combine harvester. The farm inputs consisted of 2,599 bags of rice seeds and 1,535 bags of corn seeds valued at around P4.6 million.

Farmer Gafaar Dorowan, 64, of Piagapo town, was delighted and said the assistance will help increase their yield in the next cropping season.

“We are thankful to the ARMM and the national government for providing support to farmers like us,” he said.

AMIN Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Hataman, ARMM Vice-Gov. Haroun Alrashid Lucman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mending and Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr., administrator of ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority, were present during the forum and led the distribution of agricultural inputs and machineries to the farmers.

The ARMM, composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, is among the country’s top producers of crops such as rice, cassava, corn, coffee and oil palm, and fruits like lanzones, mangosteen and durian. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1521412864191#sthash.zdcTh5Is.dpuf

MARAWI CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) ---- Around 4,000 farmers from Lanao del Sur attended a forum to help improve government support to the agriculture sector in the province.

The farmers’ forum, organized by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) and the Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, was held at the Provincial Capitol Gym here Thursday, October 9.

ARMM Agriculture Secretary Macmod Mending said the forum was designed to help officials identify the concerns of farmers in the province and assist them access government support

DAF-ARMM also distributed P10.7 million worth of farm inputs and equipment to the farmers under the government’s Agri-Pinoy program.

The equipment, worth P6.1 million, included 10 units of thresher, 21 units of rice cutter and 1 combine harvester. The farm inputs consisted of 2,599 bags of rice seeds and 1,535 bags of corn seeds valued at around P4.6 million.

Farmer Gafaar Dorowan, 64, of Piagapo town, was delighted and said the assistance will help increase their yield in the next cropping season.

“We are thankful to the ARMM and the national government for providing support to farmers like us,” he said.

AMIN Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Hataman, ARMM Vice-Gov. Haroun Alrashid Lucman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mending and Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr., administrator of ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority, were present during the forum and led the distribution of agricultural inputs and machineries to the farmers.

The ARMM, composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, is among the country’s top producers of crops such as rice, cassava, corn, coffee and oil palm, and fruits like lanzones, mangosteen and durian. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1521412864191#sthash.zdcTh5Is.dpuf

MARAWI CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) ---- Around 4,000 farmers from Lanao del Sur attended a forum to help improve government support to the agriculture sector in the province.

The farmers’ forum, organized by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) and the Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, was held at the Provincial Capitol Gym here Thursday, October 9.

ARMM Agriculture Secretary Macmod Mending said the forum was designed to help officials identify the concerns of farmers in the province and assist them access government support

DAF-ARMM also distributed P10.7 million worth of farm inputs and equipment to the farmers under the government’s Agri-Pinoy program.

The equipment, worth P6.1 million, included 10 units of thresher, 21 units of rice cutter and 1 combine harvester. The farm inputs consisted of 2,599 bags of rice seeds and 1,535 bags of corn seeds valued at around P4.6 million.

Farmer Gafaar Dorowan, 64, of Piagapo town, was delighted and said the assistance will help increase their yield in the next cropping season.

“We are thankful to the ARMM and the national government for providing support to farmers like us,” he said.

AMIN Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Hataman, ARMM Vice-Gov. Haroun Alrashid Lucman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mending and Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr., administrator of ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority, were present during the forum and led the distribution of agricultural inputs and machineries to the farmers.

The ARMM, composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, is among the country’s top producers of crops such as rice, cassava, corn, coffee and oil palm, and fruits like lanzones, mangosteen and durian. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1521412864191#sthash.zdcTh5Is.dpuf

MARAWI CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) ---- Around 4,000 farmers from Lanao del Sur attended a forum to help improve government support to the agriculture sector in the province.

The farmers’ forum, organized by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) and the Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, was held at the Provincial Capitol Gym here Thursday, October 9.

ARMM Agriculture Secretary Macmod Mending said the forum was designed to help officials identify the concerns of farmers in the province and assist them access government support

DAF-ARMM also distributed P10.7 million worth of farm inputs and equipment to the farmers under the government’s Agri-Pinoy program.

The equipment, worth P6.1 million, included 10 units of thresher, 21 units of rice cutter and 1 combine harvester. The farm inputs consisted of 2,599 bags of rice seeds and 1,535 bags of corn seeds valued at around P4.6 million.

Farmer Gafaar Dorowan, 64, of Piagapo town, was delighted and said the assistance will help increase their yield in the next cropping season.

“We are thankful to the ARMM and the national government for providing support to farmers like us,” he said.

AMIN Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Hataman, ARMM Vice-Gov. Haroun Alrashid Lucman, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mending and Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr., administrator of ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority, were present during the forum and led the distribution of agricultural inputs and machineries to the farmers.

The ARMM, composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, is among the country’s top producers of crops such as rice, cassava, corn, coffee and oil palm, and fruits like lanzones, mangosteen and durian. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1521412864191#sthash.zdcTh5Is.dpuf

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1,500 teachers in ARMM to receive P25M refund from GSIS

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 8 (PIA) --- Around 1,500 teachers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are expected to receive a total of at least P25-million refund from state pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) before year-end, the region’s education secretary announced Sunday.

Secretary Jamar Kulayan of the Department of Education (DepEd)-ARMM said this was brought after ARMM settled the more than P1-billion outstanding obligation of DepEd-ARMM with the GSIS in an agreement with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and GSIS in June this year.

 

DBM paid P891.4 million worth of unpaid premiums to the GSIS and promised to pay another P100 million within a period of a year.

 

Kulayan said GSIS has since been updating the records of teachers in the region

ARMM, comprised of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, has around 26,000 teaching personnel.

 

Kulayan said around 6,000 public school teachers will benefit once GSIS completely updated its record, with refunds estimated to reach an aggregate amount of more than P200 million.

 

Kulayan made the announcement in front of more than 2,000 teachers who gathered in Broce Elementary School in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao to celebrate this year’s World Teachers Day.

 

He said the working ARMM government wants to honor and give tribute to teachers by pushing with the needed education reforms in the region including the restoration of the GSIS benefits of teachers.

 

“Teaching is the mother of all professions,” he said, “a noble calling that requires a lot of heart.”

 

Kulayan challenged the teachers to continually produce God-fearing, humane, patriotic and pro-environment citizens.

 

“We must be one in addressing to the need to provide better access to education, increase literacy rate, excel in our overall performance, progress in assessment and advance in terms of academic indicators,” he said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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