MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 13 (PIA) --- Aspirants to the officer-in-charge (OIC) positions in the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have successfully demonstrated their respective qualifications, capabilities, and platforms to improve the region.
The twenty-four (24) applicants from the province presented their legislative agenda for the autonomous region, as well as, their proposed amendments to Republic Act 9054 in a public forum conducted, yesterday, by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at the Dimaporo Gymnasium of the Mindanao State University (MSU), here.
During the forum, the applicants were given five (5) minutes to present their qualifications and their platforms for the development of the region followed by a ‘Question and Answer’ portion with the panelists and the audience.
The following members of the panel who grilled the aspirants were representatives of various sectors:
Rashid Pandi, Education, Samanuding Sansarona, Media, Dr. Guimba Poingan, Public Institution, Dr. Alinader Minalang, Government, Dr. Dipsy Maruhom, Women, Balindong Town Mayor Raysalam Mangondato, Local Government Unit, Atty. Alizedney Ditucalan, Legal Profession, Abulkhair Alibasa, Non-Government Organization, and Mohammad Faisal Pangadapun, Youth.
In general, the aspirants expressed consensus in supporting the peace process and looking into the full implementation of the RA 9054 or the Organic Act Of ARMM, devolution of powers and services to the regional government, financial autonomy, equal sharing of power and wealth between the autonomous region and the national government.
Their platforms include crafting of a comprehensive development agenda, increasing budget, enhancing community participation through sectoral participation with proper monitoring and feedback mechanism, strengthening the Madaris education, adopting a regional reconciliation and unification commission, cleansing the election process in the region, improving basic service delivery, ensuring transparency, and curbing corruption, among others.
They also discussed their stand on issues related to peace and order, human rights, health, education and agriculture.
Held simultaneously in the five (5) provinces of the ARMM, the forum formed part of the activities of the Screening Committee to ensure the smooth, orderly, and equitable implementation of its mandate to screen and recommend the most suitable persons for the OIC positions in the ARMM.
The Screening Committee, who will be selecting three (3) RLA aspirants for each of the two districts of the province, was created by virtue of Executive Order 51 after the President signed into law Republic Act 10153 postponing the ARMM elections and synchronizing it with the May 2013 national and local elections.
The law also empowers President Aquino to name OICs who will serve for 21 months starting the end of term of office of incumbent ARMM officials on Sept. 30.
No comments