DepEd-ARMM employees soon to enjoy right benefits as GSIS members

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Mar 27 (PIA) -- Employees of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) will soon enjoy the right benefits due to them as Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) members.

This, as the GSIS inked a memorandum of understanding with the DepEd-ARMM on Thursday to update the service records of more than 24,000 DepEd employees in the region.

Under the agreement, the GSIS and the DepEd-ARMM will jointly update the service records of active and separated teaching and non-teaching personnel of DepEd-ARMM in three months, which will basically entail the matching and validation of entries in the records of the DepEd-ARMM personnel.

“As the computation of retirement benefit and loans is based on the length of service, it is important to update and reconcile the records of our DepEd-ARMM members to ensure they will receive the correct level of benefits upon their retirement or when they apply for a loan,” said Robert G. Vergara, President and General Manager.

The MOU takes off from the 2005 Service Records Updating agreement between the GSIS and the DepEd-National to re-encode the service profiles of active and separated DepEd employees using the latter’s personnel service records.

This included 16,170 teaching and non-teaching personnel of the DepEd-ARMM. However, the project however was hampered by the low accomplishment in the submission of records.

“We appreciate the initiative of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman to pursue this long-delayed project and finish it within the year,” Vergara said.

0

Two kidnapped teachers released in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 26 (PIA) -- After a week of captivity, the two kidnapped teachers from Limonsudan Bayog Falls Elementary School in Iligan City were released by their abductors on Sunday evening, March 25, at Barangay Malna in Kapai town, this province.

The two victims were picked up by a negotiating party at around 7:30 p.m. and were dropped at the Provincial Capitol where they were subsequently subjected to medical check-up.

The kidnappers were prompted to release Keno Sarsuela Sanchez, 24, and Rene Yuson Sumagang, 27, with the pressure exerted by the joint forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) through their continuous manhunt operations.

This effort was also complemented with the series of negotiations made by the former municipal mayor of Tagoloan II for the safe release of the victims.

It can be recalled that the two teachers were allegedly kidnapped by more or less 15 unidentified armed men while going to their respective homes from school around 2:30 p.m. last March 19.

Colonel Daniel A. Lucero, commanding officer of 103rd Infantry Brigade, immediately deployed troops to respond to the report that several kidnappers were hiding their victims somewhere in the municipalities of Tagoloan II and Kapai, this province.

With these revelations, the AFP and the PNP could now pursue the suspects.

Meanwhile, the victims expressed their gratitude to the AFP, PNP, and the political leaders who helped in facilitating their safe release.

0

Stalwart troopers spearhead tree planting, nutrition feeding program

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 26 (PIA) -- Troops from the 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion, Philippine Army spearheaded a tree planting activity in the municipality of Taraka on March 17, 2012.

Some 200 pieces of Mahogonay seedlings were planted at the selected site in Barangays Salvador Concha, Buadi Ong Kalo, and Moriatao Luksadato, said Battalion Commander Lt. Col Seigred J Espina.

He said the activity was aimed to educate the local residents to be peace and environmental-loving constituents.

Also, a nutrition feeding program was conducted that benefited students of Mahad Taraka Al-Islamia of Barangay Moriatao Luksadato.

The activity was conducted in partnership with the municipal government of Taraka, Jamiatu Marawi Al-Islamia Foundation Citizens Army Training (CAT) Unit, Ranao Eagles Club, and 1st Ready Reserved Battalion.

0

Lanao Sur stakeholders address women’s rights in armed conflict

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 21 (PIA) --- Stakeholders from the various sectors in the province gathered last March 20 at the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao Convergence Hall of the Mindanao State University to address women’s rights in armed conflict situations.

The forum was organized by Al-Mujadillah Development Foundation (AMDF), a women’s organization committed to promote women’s rights, good governance and peace building towards gender-fair, humane and sustainable communities.

Zahria Muti-Mapandi, executive director of the AMDF, said the activity was in line with the efforts of the Philippine Commission on Women to popularize Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) and the National Action Plan (NAP) on the United Nations Security Council Resolutions stressing that the understanding of the MCW and NAP will make its implementation easier.

The forum was also intended to help communities and local government units in preparing and reflecting the NAP on their respective gender and development plans, she added.

Anchored on the MCW, particularly those provisions relating to peace and development, the NAP is the government’s response to the landmark international normative standards on women, peace, and security.

The NAP aims to ensure the protection of women’s human rights and prevention of violation of these in armed conflict and post-conflict situations; to empower women and ensure their active and meaningful participation in areas of peace building, peacekeeping, conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction; to promote and mainstream gender perspective in all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution; and to institutionalize a system to monitor, evaluate and report its implementation.

Mapandi said the forum was one of the activities the AMDF has lined-up in celebration of the 2012 Women’s Month. Other major activities include an orientation on women economic leadership to come-up with an assessment if women could also be leaders in agricultural markets, as well as barangay consultations on the establishment of the Violence Against Women Desk at the barangay level.

0

Bangsamoro women with great achievements honored

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 20 (PIA) -- Bangsamoro women with remarkable accomplishments were given recognition during the commemoration of the 2012 Women’s Month in the province.

Their great achievements were acknowledged through a photo gallery exhibit unveiled before the some 500 Ranao women who joined the celebration at the Social Hall of the provincial capitol on Sunday.

Among those honored were Princess Tarhata Alonto-Lucman for being the first woman elected as governor of the province; Normalah Alonto Lucman-Pacasum, the first lady vice-governor of the province, Dr. Sittie Nurlayla “Emily” M. Marohombsar, the first lady educator appointed as the President of the Mindanao State University (MSU), and Faysah RPM Dumarpa, the first congresswoman in the province.

Other honorees were Atty. Mylene Amerol-Macumbal, the first Muslim woman bar topnotcher placing second in the bar exams, as well as, Noaima Ditucalan Dimangadap-Metmug, the first Muslim awardee of The Many Faces of the Teacher and a regional awardee of the 2012 ABS-CBN Bayaning Filipino Awards.

Dr. Zenaida Ampatua, President of the Ranao Ladies Circle and one of the organizers of the program, said the exhibit was conducted not only recognized their valuable contributions to the society but also inspire other women in the province to excel in their own respective undertakings.

0

Poona-Bayabao peace and order council convenes

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 20 (PIA) -- Poona-Bayabao town mayor Lampa Pandi together with Lt. Col. Seigred Espina, commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Battalion convened recently the municipal peace and order council (MPOC) to tackle peace and security issues in the said town.

Held at the municipal hall in Barangay Ragayan, the MPOC meet was participated in by municipal officials, barangay officials, police and army personnel, traditional leaders and other stakeholders.

Issue and concerns related to drug trafficking, illegal logging, and other forms of criminalities were tackled during the meeting.

Also presented were the salient features of Internal Peace and Security Plan or “Bayanihan” and the creation of the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council that involves the coordinated efforts of the police, military, and local chief executives in crafting measures to prevent illegal and criminal acts in the community.

Espina, who discussed the current peace and order situation of the municipality and the entire province, reiterated that the troops under his command were deployed to promote peace and order and protect the lives of the people from those culprits engaging in criminal practices.

He also encouraged each and every member of the community to do their share in eradicating illegal activities by reporting them to the proper authorities.

At the end of the meeting, all the participants signed the Covenant for Peace and Development to express their commitment to support peace and order initiatives in the said town.

0

Lanao del Sur joins Women’s Month celebration

MARAWI CITY, March 19 (PIA) -- Some 500 women in the province joined in whole nation in celebrating the 2012 Women’s Month through the conduct of a kick-off motorcade around the city’s main thoroughfares followed by a simple program at the Social Hall of the provincial capitol yesterday.

The activity was spearheaded by the Lanao del Sur Peoples’ Council (LDSPC), an organization of civil society groups serving as an advisory group to the local government units in the province, and the Ranao Ladies Circle, a group of women from various government agencies.

LDSPC Executive Director Hadja Nabilah Lao said more than 70 vehicles participated in the first-ever motorcade conducted in the province to celebrate women’s month.

Aside from this year’s celebration nationwide theme “women weathering climate change: governance and accountability, everyone’s concern,” the activity was also anchored on a local theme dubbed as “Kababaihan ng Ranao Nagkakaisa Para sa Kalikasan” to foster solidarity among women in the province to protect and preserve the environment.

Along with our local theme is a logo which shows ladies wearing Hijab holding hands and forming a circle, said Dr. Zenaida Ampatua, President of the Ranao Ladies Circle and Schools Division Superintendent of Department of Education Lanao Sur II-A.

She said the logo symbolizes Ranao women's spiritual conviction and unity to support each other for common goals.

During the program, women-in-uniform presented their programs and projects to protect the environment such as the zero plastic and styro campaign of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and the anti-logging drive of the 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, Philippine Army.

A photo gallery of Bangsamoro women with great achievements was also unveiled to give recognition to their remarkable contributions to the society and to inspire other women to follow their footsteps.

0

Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women holds symposium on disaster risk reduction

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 16 (PIA) -- The Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RCBW-ARMM) gears up women to tackle disasters, both natural and man-made, through a one-day symposium on disaster risk reduction held on Wednesday as part of the region’s celebration of women’s month.

Helen Rojas-Balawag, RCBW-ARMM chairperson, said the activity is designed to capacitate women, who are among the more vulnerable sectors during disasters, with important and lifesaving knowledge.

She said it is vital that women in the ARMM know how to face up to disasters given the susceptibility of the region to calamities such as flooding and armed conflict.

The activity, according to her, also aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of women in disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) efforts so that “women instead of being a vulnerable sector will become a significant partner in DRRM operations.”

Amihilda Sangcopan-Abdulhakim, Chief of Staff of ARMM’s Office of the Regional Governor, urged women in the region to be “a dependable sector capable of being prepared for any disaster that may come.”

“You have evolved from the confines of homes to help build gender-responsive resilient communities as a formidable force to weather climate change and reduce risks of global disasters,” Abdulhakim said.

Participants were given an orientation on the DRRM system in the Philippines and in the ARMM including Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010, which lays down the roles and responsibilities of local government units, government agencies, and other sectors in DRRM efforts, as well as the DRRM general framework and plan.

RA 10121 places more emphasis on reducing hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposures to potential disasters while at the same time increasing the capacity of different sectors in responding to any form of calamities.

Moreover, ARMM Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Governor Mujiv Hataman and OIC Vice-Governor and concurrent DSWD-ARMM Secretary Hadja Bainon Karon distributed livelihood and other forms of assistance to victims of different calamities in the region.

A number of emergency shelters totaling to P3.6 million will be put up by the regional government to house some 360 flood victims in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The two OICs also released the initial P2 million-fund for the “Hope for the Badjaos” project in Barangay Bulibuli, Sumisip, Basilan, which is intended to provide decent housing to 40 families belonging to the Badjao tribe in the area.

In addition, 100 conflict-affected families from the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao received livelihood assistance under the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran Project, totaling to P1 million.

Karon said the ARMM government will be providing more assistance to victims of calamities in the ARMM in the coming weeks in hopes of giving them an opportunity to start anew.

0

Wao town benefits from ARMM social fund grant

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 16 (PIA) -- The municipality of Wao is one of the eight towns in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) chosen to be among the first batch beneficiaries of the municipal block grant (MBG) under the World Bank funded-ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP).

Other towns identified as MGB beneficiaries are Upi and Datu Paglas in Maguindanao, Jolo and Indanan in Sulu, Bongao and Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi, and Lamitan in Basilan.

ASFP Project Manager Abba Kuaman said the towns were chosen because of their performance in the implementation of projects in their respective municipalities.

The MBG is part of the institutional strengthening and governance component of the US$30-million additional financing of the World Bank, which is being implemented by the ASFP.

Beneficiaries of the MBG will be awarded a block grant of P1.5-million worth of subprojects, each, that will be implemented across or will benefit several barangays.

The eight towns are required to provide counterpart fund of 30 percent, 20 percent of which will be in cash and 10 percent in kind.

0

65th Infantry Battalion conducts social awareness symposium

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 12 (PIA) -- The 65th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lt.Col. Seigred J. Espina Inf, in collaboration with the Association of Barangay Chairmen of 12 Integrated Barangays here, conducted a social awareness symposium on peace and security last March 7.

Held at the Office of the Department of Education, Division of Marawi City, the symposium was anchored on the theme “Your Safety is Our Priority.”

Tackled during the symposium included the role of Philippine Army in the community and its Internal Peace and Security Plan, as well as the accomplishments of the 65IB relative to its conduct of operations against illegal gambling, drug trafficking, carjacking, kidnapping, and other criminalities the city is facing today.

The social awareness symposium helped the Philippine Army establish a complete liaison with the local barangay chief executive to monitor the ongoing activities of those people engaging on criminal practices in order to have positive attitude towards law enforcement.

0

Drive vs. illegal logging gains ground in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 7 (PIA) -- The drive to curb illegal logging here is gaining ground as the elements of the 65th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army confiscated anew assorted sizes of lumbers and saw machine on Saturday afternoon.

The confiscation of some 400 board feet of good lumbers, one unit of saw machine with TD-140 diesel engine and complete accessories, and one metal axle blade was the result of the raid conducted by the 65IB’s Scout Platoon led by 2Lt. Dennis Parale on March 3 in Barangay Cabasaran, said Lt. Col. Seigred Espina, 65IB commanding officer.

According to him, the logging machine was used for cutting illegal lumbers into different fletches from a sawmill in the said barangay.

He further said the confiscated items were brought to the 65IB Supply Office for safekeeping and proper disposition.

Espina also warned illegal loggers that the 65IB is actively conducting operations to fight illegal logging in its area of operation.

The battalion is likewise relentlessly coordinating with local government units, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders for the continuous conduct of tree planting activities to bring back the virginity of the forest, he said.

On a related development, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is gearing up its preparations for the Regional Environmental Summit to be held this month here.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Cosain Abbas said efforts on the drive against illegal logging and unauthorized cutting of forest products will be tackled during the summit.

0

Stalwart troopers, LGU-Marawi join hands on city clean-up drive

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 7 (PIA) -- The 65th Infantry (STALWART) Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Seigred J. Espina, with the cooperation and active participation of the personnel coming from Marawi City General Services Office (CGSO) headed by Engr. Alfemie Domaob, officer-in-charge for operations, conducted a clean-up drive in the city last March 3.

The activity successfully cleaned the mainstream areas of the city that include main roads and avenues, drainages system, plaza and nearby surroundings.

It benefited the residents along Brgy. Datu Saber, Amai Pakpak Avenue, Datu Alkader Street, Thobacan Street, Gomisa Avenue, and Brgy Banggolo.

Through this, the Stalwart troopers and the city government displayed their commitment in serving the community by promoting waste management system.

0

65th IB confiscates loose firearms in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 5 (PIA) -- As result of its intensified campaign against loose firearms, the 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion troopers have confiscated loose firearms in the city.

The troops recovered two hand grenades and one caliber 380 pistol while conducting mobile checkpoint operations in two separate occasions, said LtCol. Siegred Espina, commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Battalion.

He said the pistol was recovered on March 1 while the joint forces of the 65th Infantry Battalion and the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were conducting visual search operation at the vicinity of ICOM Terminal in Barangay Moncado Kadilingan.

“Upon our verification, we found out that the said firearm has no pertinent papers to support the legality for the possession of the owner,” he further said.

The hand grenades, on the other hand, were recovered during a checkpoint operation in Sarimanok Street in Barangay Marawi on Feb. 29. However, the owner immediately bolted out from his vehicle.

Both confiscated items were turned over to the supply office of the 65IB Headquarters for safekeeping and proper disposition, while the apprehended person found in possession of the pistol is now under the custody of the 65IB for further investigation and for filling of appropriate charges

0

TESDA launches technoprenuership program in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 2 (PIA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) successfully launched its technopreneurship program in the province.

The program, dubbed as the TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP), aims to assist those who have trained and earned their TESDA certification but have the difficulty of finding a job.

As an oversight authority, TESDA is now shifting its role from direct service provider to catalyst and resource provider to its partner institutions and organizations acting as the delivery system, said TESDA Provincial Director Tarhata S. Mapandi.

She said the program will provide TESDA-certified graduates the work experience which will help them build their portfolio.

In the province, the TESDA launched on Monday four groups of Specialistas, namely, beauty care, building and house repair, automotive servicing, and computer hardware servicing. Those interested to avail of the services of TESDA Specialistas may contact the TESDA Specialista Operation Center at 0929-451-5646.

0