AFP chief cites importance of multi-sectoral partnership to ensure fair, orderly polls

Islamic City of Marawi (25 February) -- Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt.Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) underscored the importance of multi-sectoral partnership and collaboration to ensure the honest, orderly, and peaceful conduct of the coming 2010 national and local elections.

In his inspirational message during the Covenant for HOPE and Covenant of Peace signing ceremony, he urged all to support the advocacy for clean and orderly elections.

He said it is important to have credible polls in order to have a political stability.

"We will do everything to achieve HOPE and in pursuit of that mission we have teamed up with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and created the Joint Security Control Center (JSCC)," Dolorfino cited.

The JSCC, he said, will ensure that the 2010 elections will be conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner.

Dolorfino stressed that the AFP and PNP serve as the operating arms of the JSCC. However, other partners such as the civil society organizations (CSOs), the media, electoral candidates, and voters also play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the elections.

He said CSOs can help the COMELEC in voters' education campaign. They can also serve as watchdogs and report irregularities in the electoral process.

He further urged the candidates to avoid election-related violence and respect the sanctity of the votes.

"I am also requesting the media for a truthful dissemination of information. False information can create animosity among the candidates which may lead to election-related violence," Dolorfino added.

In addition, the WesMinCom chief also advised the voters to vote wisely.

Instead of painting dark scenarios, let us make a way to make this political exercise a success, he appealed.

The signing ceremony of the Covenant for HOPE for the stakeholders and Covenant of Peace for the electoral candidates was held Tuesday, February 23, at the Mindanao State University Gym, this city. It is a joint initiative of the AFP, PNP and COMELEC in Lanao del Sur.

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Lanao Sur stakeholders pledge for HOPE

Islamic City of Marawi (24 February) -- The Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) and other stakeholders here in Lanao del Sur signed Tuesday, February 23, the covenant which aims to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful election (HOPE) in the province.

The signing provided an opportunity for the stakeholders to show their desire to exercise their right of suffrage without fear in the forthcoming elections and to encourage the electoral candidates to avoid the use of violence and deception to earn votes.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Sultanate League, and non-government organizations (NGOs) as well as the academe, religious and youth sector are among those who signed and pledged their commitment for the HOPE advocacy.

MGen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the first infantry division of the Philippine Army assured the public that the AFP will remain non-partisan.

He said the AFP will ensure the success of the coming 2010 elections by upholding the sanctity of the ballots and protecting human rights.

PCSupt. Bienvinido Latag, ARMM Police Regional Director, on the othelice will always abide the force of law and will not use their resources for the interest of any candidates.

ARMM COMELEC Director Atty. Rey Sumalipao meanwhile vowed not to tolerate and commit any irregularity in the forthcoming elections.

On the other hand, the NGOs, academe, religious and youth sector pledged to cooperate and work hand in hand with the AFP, PNP, and COMELEC in their campaign for HOPE.

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Lanao Sur local bets sign covenant for clean, orderly polls

Islamic City of Marawi (24 February) --- To ensure a clean and orderly conduct of the 2010 elections, Lanao del Sur candidates seeking for a congressional to vice mayoral seat met yesterday for the signing of peace covenant.


The electoral candidates swear to strictly abide the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and vowed to abstain from doing anything that can deter and impede the conduct of honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) in the province.

They also affirmed to support and upheld the advocacy for a clean and orderly electoral process for the forthcoming national and local elections.

Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt.Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) meanwhile urged all the candidates to pursue their candidacy honestly and civilly.

He advised them to capitalize on their qualifications and strengths and avoid exploiting the shortcomings of other candidates so that undue animosity can be prevented.

The covenant of peace signing was jointly initiated by the 103rd brigade of the AFP, the provincial COMELEC and the provincial police office.

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February 26 proclaimed Muslim holiday

Islamic City of Marawi (19 February) -- The Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) has declared February 26 (Friday) as a holiday within the area of jurisdiction of the old Region XII and in other Muslim provinces and cities throughout the country in observance of "Maulidin Nabi." 

"Maulidin Nabi" or the birth of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) is recognized as legal Muslim holiday pursuant to Presidential Decree 1083 and Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 81-1277.

According to OMA, "Maulidin Nabi" which falls on the 12th day of Rabi'ul Awwal, 1431 Hijrah calendar corresponds to February 26 of this year.

PD 1083 states that Muslim holidays shall be officially observed in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and in the cities of Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

The decree further provides that all Muslim government officials and employees in places other than those enumerated shall also be excused from reporting to office to observe the holiday.

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Taraka residents thank PGMA for all her assistance

Taraka, Lanao del Sur (18 February) -- Residents here extended their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for all the assistance undertaken by her administration to provide them better services. 

Taraka Mayor Amenodin Sumagayan conveyed their message during the recent visit of the President to their town. 

According to Mayor Sumagayan, the residents of Taraka aspire for a developed town but their aspirations were very difficult to realize because of limited resources. 

He said they are very grateful to President Arroyo because she helped them realized their aspirations thru all the assistance she provided them. 

"It is the first time that we will soon go away from drinking water from the river and shift to a potable water system and this is made possible thru the assistance of President Arroyo," he further said. 

"It is also the first time that we will enjoy the benefits of having a presentable public market," he added. 

The President visited the town and inaugurated the P3.5 million Taraka public market. 

She also led the groundbreaking of water system at Brgy. Masulun Pitakas.

Taraka is a 5th class municipality and has more than 28,000 residents.

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President Arroyo leads groundbreaking of potable water system in Lanao del Sur

Taraka, Lanao del Sur (18 February) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the groundbreaking of the potable water system here that is expected to benefit more than 28,000 residents. 

The President lowered the time capsule at the project site located at Brgy. Masulun Pitakas. 

The P30-million water project is expected to be completed in 10 months. 

In a brief statement to the thousands of residents and local officials who came out to greet her, President Arroyo said she ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so that the residents will immediately benefit from the project. 

The President stressed that it is the agenda of her administration to provide Filipinos with basic services such as potable water. 

Joining the President in the groundbreaking were Taraka Mayor Amenodin Sumagayan, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Faysah Dumarpa, ARMM Gov. Ansarrudin Adiong, and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr.

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PGMA inaugurates P3.5-M public market in Taraka

Taraka, Lanao del Sur (18 February) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated yesterday the Taraka Public Market, a project designed to promote efficient delivery of goods to the town's residents. 

From Masiu town, the President motored here where local residents and school children lined the street as they waved flags to express their joy of seeing her.

Upon arriving at the public market in brgy. Masulun Pitakas, she led the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon signalling the formal opening of the public market.

Taraka Mayor Amenodin Sumagayan said the P3.5- million public market completed December 19 of last year was jointly funded by the national and local government unit. 

The local government of Taraka put up P1.5 -million counterpart for the project while the P2.0-million was funded through the President's Social Fund, he said.

Assisting the President in the ribbon cutting were Taraka Mayor Sumagayan, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Faysah Dumarpa, ARMM Gov. Ansarrudin Adiong, and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr.

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PGMA continues agribusiness Mindanao tour in Lanao Sur

Taraka, Lanao del Sur (18 February) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited yesterday two (2) towns of this province as part of her legacy tour in Mindanao to inform the public of her Agribusiness Mindanao program. 

During her visit here. the President inaugurated the town’s P3.5-million public market and led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its P30-million potable water system project of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). 

The President also inaugurated the newly constructed three-storey municipal hall of Masiu town and led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P8-million potable water system project there. 

President Arroyo said her administration has made huge investments in Mindanao to sustain peace and improve lives of its people. 

She said, one of the biggest projects being implemented in Taraka is the Rognan River Irrigation System designed to boost the town’s farm productivity.

The President announced that the irrigation project will soon be completed in March this year. 

President Arroyo also ordered the completion of the Malaig Irrigation Project in the town of Butig. 

The irrigation projects are part of the government’s goal to increase productivity in Agribusiness Mindanao Super Region. 

Agribusiness Mindanao, in which Lanao del Sur is a big part, is one of the five (5) super regions mentioned by the President in her 2006 State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

The Super Regions aim to maximize the country’s strengths in agriculture, tourism and information technology

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