Army in Lanao del Sur expresses support to MILF consultative meet

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The 103rd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Kampo Ranao here conveyed support for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace consultations by ensuring the safety of the participants from the two Lanao provinces.

MILF provincial and municipal leaders as well as civilian supporters from Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur convoyed this morning to Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao for a consultative meeting on the peace process which is expected to resume next month.

The government peace panel has earlier announced that peace negotiations with the MILF will resume on February 9.

Colonel Daniel Lucero, commanding officer of the 103rd Brigade, said the field units in the province were directed to provide safe and unhampered passage to the MILF participants going to Camp Darapanan.

Camp Darapanan which is located in Sultan Kudarat town of Maguindanao province is currently the administrative base of the MILF.

The directive is to see to it that the movement of the convoy from Butig town going to Malabang and Kapatagan towns is safe and cleared, he said.

We have coordinated with the International and Local Monitoring Teams as well as with both the GRP and MILF sides and we are glad that everything went smoothly, he added.

Lucero further said that aside from route of the convoy, they have also agreed that only 160 armed MILF forces will be moving.

The newly-installed brigade commander also assured to preserve the peace process.

He expressed optimism that peace process will turn-out smoothly and that the negotiating panels will pursue their mandates. (Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA 10 Marawi)

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Police chief, former mayor call on barangay officials to help keep peace in Marawi

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan 26 (PIA) -- The officer-in-charge of the Marawi City Police Office has urged barangay officials to help the police in maintaining peace and order in their respective barangays.

Senior Supt Jaime Mojica Jr emphasized that the involvement of the public is crucial in the attainment of lasting peace and order in the city.

He told the barangay chairmen to help for the betterment of their respective barangays and the city as a whole.

In addition, former city mayor Omar "Solitario" Ali has likewise called on the barangay heads to cooperate and do their share of responsibility in preserving peace and order.

Stressing that the barangay is the first line of defense in peace and order, he encouraged them to organize barangay peace and order committees that will help strengthened the city peace and order council.

The police is the vanguard in maintaining peace and order, however, they cannot do it without the help of the community, Ali said.

He cited that although the problems of the city are more on disorderliness, simple kidnappings, and carnappings it should not be tolerated.These will reduce the trust of other people to our community and dampen the image of the city hence affecting the local economy, he added.

The former mayor also underscored the cooperation and coordination among the police, military, general public, and even the mujahideens (Muslim guerrilla warriors engaged in a jihad) in the quest for lasting peace.

He said the mujahideens should be included so that they will not become hindrances in peace and development of the city.

The fact that the government is now trying to talk to them and convince them to cooperate in the search for a peaceful and solid nation only shows that peace has a chance in this part of the country. (Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA 10 Marawi)

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Army encourages barangay chiefs to apply for reserve force

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan 26 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army has encouraged chairpersons of the 96 barangays here to apply for commission in the Reserve Force.

This will not only beef-up the pool of reserves but will also help in establishing an environment conducive to the city’s peace and development, said Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Respicio, commanding officer of the 1006th Community Defense Center, Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) based in Kampo Ranao, this city.

Respicio sounded the invitation on Tuesday, January 25, in a meeting with city officials, barangay chairpersons, city chief-of-police Senior Supt Jaime Mojica Jr., and former city mayor Omar ‘Solitario’ Ali held at the Sangguniang Panglungsod Hall.

He said he hopes to generate at least 125 reservists in the city.

Former mayor Ali, on one hand, also urged the barangay heads to recommend two to three qualified persons from their respective barangays for the reservist training.

Ali, who serves as consultant to current mayor Fahad Salic, has a rank of major in the army reserve force.

Meantime, qualified applicants will undergo a training every weekend for 30 days, Respicio said.

The ARESCOM chief further stressed that the training will also help equip reservists with knowledge and skills on environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and on rescue and relief operations.

ARESCOM is a premier army unit that aims to organize, train, develop, and administer reservists into a capable and responsive reserve forces as integral part of the regular force in the defense of the state. (Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA 10 Marawi)

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1,028 constituents in Lanao del Sur benefit from MEDCAP

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan.24 (PIA) -- More than 1,000 residents coming from far-flung barangays in Lanao del Sur province have benefited from the medical civic action program (MEDCAP) by the army’s 51st Infantry Battalion.

The activity was conducted in three successive days in three municipalities: January 20 at Barangay Gadungan in Ganassi; January 21 at Barangay Basak in Binidayan; and January 22 at Barangay Raya Bubong in Bayang.

In Ganassi town, medical check-up were extended to 112 patients, 32 residents were provided with dental services/tooth extraction, 25 young boys were circumcised, 17 pregnant women were given prenatal services and 121 children were afforded with child care services while 18 males benefited from free haircut.

Moreover, 139 were given free medical check-up, 84 availed of dental services/tooth extraction, and 117 young boys were circumcised in Binidayan town.

Likewise, 161 residents were extended medical check-up services, 33 benefited from dental/tooth extraction, 39 young boys were circumcised, 123 children were given child care and 24 pregnant women were afforded with prenatal services in the municipality of Bayang.

Free medicines, toothbrushes and toothpastes were also distributed during the three-day MEDCAP.

Lieutenant Colonel Giovanni Franza, commander of the 51st IB, said the objective of the MEDCAP is to bring immediate medical health services closer to the people especially to those living in the remote areas where access to government services is difficult.

The activity was conducted in collaboration with the Integrated Provincial Health Office, HOPE Foundation Inc., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, local government units of Ganassi, Binidayan and Bayang, and the US Army who also disseminated flyers, posters and other campaign materials on peace advocacy.

Binidayan ABC President Patah Olama expressed appreciation to the 51st IB troopers for spearheading the activity and bringing the services to the needy constituents of the municipality.

Franza meantime said the 51st IB will always continue to adhere on activity like MEDCAP in order for the people to know that the soldiers are not only prepared to protect them but also ready to support the progress and development in the area. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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ARMM media practitioners undergo orientation on reporting health issues

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Media practitioners from Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao were oriented last week on reporting health issues related to safe motherhood, family planning and child health and nutrition.

The orientation dubbed as “Reporting on Health: Techniques and Tips” was held at Estosan Garden Hotel in Cotabato City and supported by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Health Promotion and Communication Project (HealthPRO) in collaboration with Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI).

Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao are two of the component provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Aside from health reporting, the participants were also updated on the regional health status and briefed about the health promotion mass media campaign titled “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan” project.

Anna Bella Espiritu of the PMFI said the project’s main anchor is a caravan that would bring health services, education and entertainment through health festivals in target provinces.

The caravan which aims to encourage families to embrace a healthy life will have stops in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Zamboanga del Norte, she added.

HealthPRO which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development provides technical assistance to the DOH and local government units in promoting healthy behavior and practices and expanding their capacities in implementing sustainable health promotion and communication programs.

PMFI, on the other hand, is a non-stock, non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of media in the country and the Asia-Pacific through training of media professionals and students. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA 10 Marawi)

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64IB troops rescue 11-year old kidnap victim

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, 21 January (PIA) -- As a result of accurate and timely information, soldiers of the 64th Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army rescued on Thursday, Jan. 20 an 11-year old girl who was abducted in Iligan City around 11:00 a.m. of the same day.

Fatima Angni, a resident of Camague, Iligan City was recovered by the 64th IB troops along the national highway at Barangay Kalanganan, Pantar, Lanao del Norte.

She was allegedly abducted by three (3) men identified to be her relatives at the restaurant owned by her sister, Rasmia Angni,

Second Lieutenant Mayleen Sagadraca of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Kampo Ranao said the men were identified as Camil Esmael, Macoy Panguntara, and Junior Panda, all residents of Barangay Bualan in Balindong, Lanao del Sur.

According to her, the incident was immediately reported by the brother-in-law of the victim to the 43rd Infantry Battalion through their hotline.

Checkpoints were immediately established along the stretch of national highway from Pantar town to this city as soon as the information was received, she said.

With the coordination made between the 43IB and 64IB and the help extended by Pantar Municipal Police, the get-away vehicle with plate number ULE 997 seen heading towards the province of Lanao del Sur was intercepted at the military checkpoint in Kalanganan, Sagadraca said.

The kidnap victim, together with the kidnappers, was brought to the 103rd Infantry Brigade for questioning and later on turned-over to Iligan City Police Office, she further said.

Both the police and the army are now in the process of pursuing the ongoing investigation for filing of appropriate charges. (Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA 10 Marawi)

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New Haribon chief urges Lanao del Sur stakeholders to work together for peace, security

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 19 (PIA) – The new commanding officer of the 103rd ‘Haribon’ Brigade, 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, has appealed to the different stakeholders in Lanao del Sur to help their troops in providing a safe and secured environment for the people of the province.

Col. Daniel Lucero made the appeal during the change of command ceremony held Tuesday at Kampo Ranao here in the city.

"I am requesting for the cooperation of government officials, religious and traditional leaders, members of the media and academe, non-government organizations and civil society groups emphasizing that the situation in the province affects not only the people of Mindanao but also the entire nation. Let us join hands and work as a forest rather than as trees in bringing peace and order in the province," he underscored.

Col. Lucero also directed his troops to protect the rights and freedom of the people of the province regardless of their tribal membership.

"I demand that you consult local leaders in your areas, respect their local customs and traditions and be sensitive to the cultural practices in the locality," he stressed.

The new commanding officer likewise directed the different battalion commanders to prepare their troops for the worst, keep them in tough shape and continuously prepare them for possible scenarios in the future.

"The brigade under my watch will be firm and determined to support and preserve the peace process initiated by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, however, if it will be inevitable, we will see to it that the use of military force will be pursued so as to protect everyone’s rights and peace" he added. (Apipa P Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Haribon brigade installs new chief

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- A turnover of command held Tuesday, January 18, has installed Col. Daniel Lucero as the new commanding officer of the army’s 103rd ‘Haribon’ Brigade based at Kampo Ranao here in the city.

Col. Lucero, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 83, replaces Gen. Rey Ardo who has served the brigade from March 15, 2008 until January 13, 2011.

In his message, Col. Lucero assured everyone that he will continue what the previous commander has done.

Gen. Ardo has spearheaded the conduct of 36 brigade site operations, 152 battalion site operations, 401 company site operations, 2,192 platoon site operations, and 20,163 small units operations which lead to 52 encounters where 23 enemy were killed, recovery of 88 high powered firearms and 29 low powered firearms, surrender of 111 lawless MILF group personalities, and the capture of 102nd base command camp at Madamba town.

Meantime, Gen. Ardo thanked the men and women of the brigade who has made his accomplishments possible.

He also expressed his appreciation to the local chief executives, civil society groups, members of the media and academe for their support during his stay in the camp as brigade commander.

He likewise requested them to continue extending their support to the new commanding officer of the brigade. (Apipa P Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Sister of Iligan entrepreneur released by abductors in Lanao del Sur

ILIGAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- Another kidnapped victim was safely released by her abductors Tuesday afternoon in Lanao del Sur.

Col. Cresente Ferrer, commanding officer of 601st Brigade, Philippine Army, told media that Irda Maria Senido Alvia was released around 4:45 p.m. in Ramain town.

He said Irda was turned-over to the brigade by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Local Monitoring Team headed by Agakhan ‘Binladen’ Sharief and Acmad Lao who facilitated the safe release of the victim.

Col. Ferrer further told media that Irda said that she was treated fairly by her abductors.

Irda and her sister of Nadja Saldevar Alvia, the owner of Ivory Printing Press located here were kidnapped around 6:00 p.m. of January 15 while they were on board a colored green KIA Sportage Car.

Their abductors released Nadja on Saturday night while holding Irda in captivity for three days.

The family of the victim expressed gratitude to the authorities and the MILF-Local Monitoring Team for the assistance they extended for the safe release of the victim.

Meantime, Acmad Lao stressed that the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) should be activated once again to bolster the campaign against lawlessness in Mindanao.

He said that with the re-activation of the AHJAG, criminal syndicates and kidnap for ransom groups in this part country will be reduced if not eliminated. (Apipa P Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Lasureco appeals to consumers to pay bills promptly

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The management of the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Lasureco) has appealed to its member-consumers to support the cooperative by paying their power bills promptly.

"Our consumers must understand that their payments are significant to the realization of our commitment to upgrade the power installations in order to fully energize the province," stressed Engr. Ashary Maongco, Lasureco’s general manager.

He said the cooperative is confronted with problems that have become hindrances to their operations.

"Such problems of delayed and/or non-payment by member-consumers as well as illegal tapping pose serious implications to the stability of our light and power operations," he added.

Maongco also underscored the management’s determination to keep on improving the facilities of the cooperative and stabilizing the light and power installations in the entire province.

He said that they have energized the 40MVA power transformer located in its Dansalan substation serving the entire city and the 10MVA power transformer located in its Saduc substation serving the Basak area.

Another project, he further said is the 60-footer concrete poles, 4/0 ACSR double circuit 13.2KV distribution lines which will serve as the backbone line of the city.

Meantime, Maongco announced that member-consumers can pay their power bills at the four established paying centers in the city namely the Pumping paying center (in Brgy. Raya Saduc), Dansalan paying center (in Quezon Avenue), MSU paying center (in MSU main campus), and the Avatar paying center (in Brgy.Maliwanag). (Apipa Bagumbaran-PIA 10 Lanao del Sur)

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Construction of Lake Lanao circumferential road underway

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- With the goal of accelerating development in Lanao del Sur, the construction of the 25.52-kilometer Lake Lanao Circumferential Road is currently underway.

According to the report presented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the recent Infrastructure Monitoring Advisory Group (IMAG) meeting sponsored by the provincial government, the contract package 2A of the project is 6.27 percent while the contract package 2B is 7.04 percent.

The road concreting under the contract package 2A which costs more than Php 308-M started on November 25, 2009. On the other hand, the work on the more than Php325-M contract package 2B started December 8 of the same year.

Contract Package 2A covers Marawi-Masiu-Bayang section while contract package 2B covers Bayang-Pualas-Marantao-Marawi section.

The Lake Lanao Circumferential Road project forms part of the three identified projects jointly funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and the Philippine Government under the Mindanao Road Map Project (MRIP).

The other projects under the MRIP included the construction of Contract Package 1A and 1B of Cotabato city East Diversion Road and Contract Package 3A and 3B of Basilan Circumferential Road. (Apipa Bagumbaran - PIA Marawi city)

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GEM-3 reports 13 active Barangay Infra projects in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- The Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM)-3 reported that it has completed five (5) Barangay Infrastructure Projects (BIPs) in Lanao del Sur while eight (8) are in the bidding or design stage as of December 31, 2010.

The report recently presented to the members of the provincial Infrastructure Monitoring Advisory Group (IMAG) showed that it has constructed a barangay bridge in Bubong town, Gubar-Sawer footbridge in Masiu town, Dilabayan-Ilian slab bridge in Taraka town, as well as Kili-Kili East Bailey bridge improvement and Serran Village suspension footbridge in Wao town.

Eight (8) projects, on the other hand, are currently in the bidding or design stage namely the construction of Diolangan Barangay bridge in Bubong, upgrading of Butig water system, construction of Polo-Dilausan Barangay bridge in Ditsaan-Ramain, upgrading of Buad-Alog slab bridge in Lumbatan, construction of a suspension footbridges in Dilausan and Balagunun-Botud in Maguing and construction of Eastern Wao Trading Center and Christian Village Barangay bridge in Wao.

BIPs are small-scale infrastructure projects constructed to help increase economic growth in barangays. The cost of BIP ranges from Php200,000 to Php2-million.

Meantime, the report also showed that security is one of the constraints GEM-3 experienced during project implementation and construction.

Other concerns include delayed delivery or inadequacy of the counterpart contributions from local government units, environmental constraints such as raining and flooding, local interference such as extortion, fraud and conflict of interests, improper use or non-use of the facilities, and inadequate or lack of maintenance.

GEM-3 which began in 2008 is funded by the United States for International Development. It expands the work carried out under GEM 1 (1995-2002) and GEM 2 (2002-2007) operating throughout the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. (Apipa Bagumbaran - PIA Marawi)

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MinDA chief urges LCEs in Lanao del Sur to be active in project implementation

MARAWI CITY, Jan. 14 -- Stressing the thrust of the new administration as performance-oriented, the chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) encourages local chief executives (LCEs) in Lanao del Sur to be very active in project implementation.

Secretary Luwalhati Antonino made the appeal during the 3rd Infrastructure Monitoring and Advisory Group (IMAG) meeting for Lanao del Sur held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol on Thursday, January 13.

She said LCEs must be active partners of the projects that come in to their respective barangays, municipalities, or province adding that donor agencies are willing to help if they can see that LCEs are capable of taking care of the projects given to them.

The MinDA chief further cited that some municipalities and even provinces in Mindanao have been blacklisted by donor agencies because of improper implementation of projects.

She also said that Mindanao LCEs should work together and perform what is expected of them in order to change the image of Mindanao.

If you can change the image of Mindanao, I don’t think we will have any problem in convincing foreign investors in coming to Mindanao as well as the national government to allot more funds in this part of the country, she added.

Aside from the LCEs, the IMAG meeting was participated by provincial heads of offices and representatives from the various national line agencies in the provinces.

Updates on the status of the Lake Lanao Circumferential Road, the Topographic Mapping for Peace and Development in Mindanao Project, and Growth with Equity in Mindanao projects in the province were also presented during the meeting. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Marawi officials vow to support projects of new city police chief

Marawi City (13 January) --- Officials of the Marawi city government expressed support to back the projects and programs of the new chief of police here.

In a meeting presided by vice mayor Noryasmin Calandada, the city officials asked Police Superintendent Nasser Dima to prepare a formal request stating the resources needed by the city police office to enforce the law and uphold peace and order in the city.

This is in response to the appeal of the new police chief to the city government to provide traffic and regulatory signs in order for the police authorities to apprehend traffic violators without being questioned with some technicalities.

Early this week, Dima conveyed their uncertainty to arrest traffic violators because of lack of regulatory and traffic signs in the city’s main thoroughfares.

During the meeting, Dima also recommended to the city officials the conduct of an enhancement seminar for the traffic enforcement units of the city to boost their traffic management skills.

He further stressed that efficient and effective traffic management system can contribute a lot in mitigating street crimes.

The city officials meanwhile expressed agreement to the recommendation of the police chief adding that such recommendation will be discussed thoroughly on the city peace and order council meeting tentatively scheduled at the end of the month.

They also hailed Dima for his accomplishments during his first month of assumption as police chief.

They likewise hope that he will be permanently assigned as city police chief citing that one of the major reasons for the disruption in the implementation of peace and order programs in the city is due to the frequent changing of chief of police.

Other officials present during the meeting were councilors Anuar Khana Marabur Jr, Abdani Alonto, Mohammad Drieza Lomondot, and Lumna Macatanong Jr. as well as city administrators Barry Macaumbos and Paladan Badron. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Marawi PNP to set up police outposts

MARAWI CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- Alarmed by the spate of recent killings in the city, the Philippine National Police (PNP) here plans to intensify police visibility by setting up police outposts in every intersection of the city’s main thoroughfares.

Police Superintendent Nasser Dima, newly installed acting city police chief, said the outposts will help boost their campaign against criminality.

As an initial step, Dima said they have put-up an outpost along Gomisa Avenue, the city’s main avenue.

He proudly cited that after ten (10) days of implementation, no shooting incident was reported, only petty crimes.

He said it can be expanded in some other areas such as the palitan (market) site to foil down criminal activities operating within the areas.

Aside from the police outpost, he added, that he has requested the city engineer’s office for the establishment of police assistance center adjacent to the Bureau of Fire Protection office.

Dima stressed that the center will serve those constituents in need of police assistance and at the same time strengthen police visibility in the area. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Families settle rido in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY,Jan. 13 (PIA) -- A rido (feud) between four warring families in Lanao del Sur that caused the lives of more than 10 people was finally settled.

The families of Hadji Azis Apollo Aloyodan, former mayor of Lumbaca Unayan, Hadji Ibrahim Ampuan, former vice-mayor of Lumbatan, Bukari Ra-ado, and Datu Aragasi Bacontol, Barangay Chairman of Calalon in Lumbaca Unayan as well as their relatives came to a settlement to put an end to their conflicts.

As they signed the covenant of peace, they promised to co-exist peacefully and set aside fighting.

They also agreed to drop all the cases filed in court that are related to the rido.

The settlement that was held Wednesday, January 12, at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Buadi Sacayo this city was resolved using the traditional system of “taritib” and “igma” or customary laws.

The rido settlement was reached through the efforts of the provincial government facilitated by the Provincial Ulama Council, Council of Elders, Lumbaca Unayan Mayor Itomama Guro, Lumbatan Mayor Mamintal Rasuman, and Marogong Vice-Mayor Sultan Abdulgafor Dumaorong.

Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said the settlement of ridos in the province is one of the priority programs of his administration.

Being one of the causes of peace and order problems, rido has remained a stumbling block in the development of the province.

According to the governor, rido can be triggered by politics, land disputes, and “maratabat” or pride, among others. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Two towns in Lanao del Sur bag Galing Pook Awards

MARAWI City, Jan. 12 (PIA)-- Two (2) towns in Lanao del Sur were honored for exhibiting good governance and introducing innovative development practices.

The towns of Wao and Kapatagan were among the eight (8) local government units (LGUs) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) awarded during the regional Galing Pook Awards 2010 held yesterday in Zamboanga City.

The LGU of Wao received two (2) awards for its Solid Waste Management Program and Watershed Co-Management Development Program while the LGU of Kapatagan was awarded for its peace-building initiatives dubbed as Tulay sa Kalilintad or Bridge of Peace.

Provincial Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. congratulated both towns for bringing honor to the province.

He said their recognition in the GP Awards indicates that they are really performing their jobs well and they have maintained peace and order in their respective municipalities.

The provincial governor also called on the other municipalities in the province to replicate and adopt such practices of good governance.

The Galing Pook Awards has been recognizing the best practices by LGUs around the country since 1993.

It has been adopted in the ARMM to highlight innovations and excellent practices of good governance in the region.

Other awardees were the Project Rendaw by the LGU of Upi in Maguindanao, Sulu Coordinating Center by the LGU of Sulu, SLAM Health Program for the Poor by the Southwestern Ligawasan Alliance of Municipalities, BISITA sa Barangay by the LGU of Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao, as well as the Administrative and Fiscal Reforms for Local Development by the LGU of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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Marawi CHO reviews health programs to reduce maternal, neonatal deaths

MARAWI CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) --- The City Health Office (CHO) here conducted a workshop and reviewed the status of different maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) programs in the city in order to plan out strategies to strengthen interventions that will improve such programs in line with the country’s commitment to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Dr. Faisal Idris, city health officer, said the MNCHN is an approach adopted by the health department to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths and improve the health status of mothers and children in the country.

He said group discussions on crucial issues and concerns that affect the implementation of the MNCHN program as well as recommendations to improve it were undertaken during the three-day workshop.

Issues and concerns discussed were more related on human resource capacity such as lack of training, availability of logistics as well as family planning commodity during the implementation, and inadequacy of health facilities, Idris further said.

According to him, the integration of basic health services especially during outreach activities is among the strategies recommended by the participants.

Another recommendation, he said, is the involvement of the private sector and religious leaders in the effective implementation of various health programs.

Their support is of paramount importance especially the religious leaders in terms of advocating the family planning program considering the unique culture here, he underscored.

He added that the support and commitment of the local government units especially at the barangay level was also identified as an approach to strengthen the maternal and child healthcare in the city.

The same workshop on scaling-up MNCHN interventions was also conducted in the five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM is among the regions which contribute to the high percentage of maternal and neonatal deaths in the country and dragging its performance in terms of achieving the MDGs of reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating infectious as well as re-emerging diseases.

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Young leaders in Lanao del Sur conduct RTD on peace, security

MARAWI CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- Young leaders in Lanao del Sur gathered here recently and discussed what they can contribute to attain peace and security in the province.

Jointly initiated by the Ranao Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development and Nonviolent Peace Force, the roundtable discussion highlighted the crucial role of the youth to realize genuine peace in the province.

Samira A. Gutoc-Tomawis of the Young Moro Professional Network cited that the primary role of the youth in peace advocacy is to recommend solutions and not supplant the responsibility of authorities.

The youth should provide a better platform and facilitate dialogues with political and influential leaders, she said.

They have to see to it that the police, military, local government units as well as traditional and religious leaders are involved in peace dialogues, she further said.

Gutoc also urged the youth to support peace programs of the both local and national governments.

Underscoring their vital role in changing the landscape of governance, she likewise recommended to the youth to enter politics and influence the mindset of other politicians.

She however stressed that the long term approach to genuine is to educate the people on the rule of law.

By studying the ways of the law and learning what it can offer, the youth can be effective in performing their respective roles in peace advocacies, she added.

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Elections lead to increase in crime volume in Lanao del Sur, says PNP

MARAWI CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) -– The Philippine National Police (PNP) stressed that the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls in October and the special elections in November contributed to the increase in the number of crime incidents in Lanao de Sur.

The PNP has noted that there has been a rise in the crime volume in the province for the last six months of last year compared to the same period in 2009.

Police records showed that the total crime volume from July to December last year climbed by 78 percent from the 72 cases posted in the last semester of 2009 to the 127 cases recorded in the same period in 2010.

Of the total 127 cases, 97 were considered as index crimes while 30 cases were non-index crimes.

August posted the lowest crime incidents with a total of 16 cases while December posted the highest with a total of 29 cases. Of that figure, 23 were classified as index crimes while 6 were non-index crimes.

The month of July registered the lowest average monthly crime rate (AMCR) of 0.18 and the highest crime solution efficiency (CSE) of 86%.

December meanwhile registered the highest in terms of the AMCR with 2.55 and the lowest in terms of CSE with 59%.

The statistics also showed that crimes against persons are prevalent in the province during December of last year with 17 murder cases and 4 abduction cases.

Police Senior Superintendent Pedrito delos Reyes, newly designated officer-in-charge of Lanao del Sur Police Office, explained the December figures reflected the aftermath of the October and November polls.

He said most of the index crimes cases were connected to the recently concluded polls.

The abduction cases were due to non-payment of debts by the victims or their families, he added.

The provincial police chief, however, vowed to further intensify police visibility in crime zones to tone down criminalities in the province. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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IPHO to step-up interventions for maternal, child health

ILIGAN CITY, Jan.6 -– Frontline health workers, local government leaders and development partners across Lanao del Sur gathered here yesterday for the start of a three-day operational planning workshop to intensify key interventions necessary to improve the health situation of mothers and children in the province.

Dr. Alinader Minalang, Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief, said the workshop aims to provide a venue to assess the current health situation in the province as well as the status of health priority programs to come-up with a plan to scale-up interventions for maternal, newborn and child health.

"It is part of our intensified efforts to meet the country's commitment towards the timely attainment of the specific Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) namely reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases," Minalang said.

It will also provide an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with development partners in the province and assist them in identifying areas where they can support and help minimize resource gaps, he further said.

Minalang stressed that by promoting convergence and synergy of efforts, the MDGs can be achieve successfully on-time.

Representatives from the different development partners in the province such as the United States Agency for International Development, United Nations Population Fund, and European Commission among others are also present in the workshop.

The MDGs are a set of eight time-bound, concrete and specific targets aimed at significantly reducing, if not decisively eradicating poverty by 2015.

These goals address the issues of poverty, hunger, education and health services. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA Marawi)

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