Marawi health office enhances healthcare delivery

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 24 (PIA) -- The city government, through the City Health Office (CHO), is further enhancing its healthcare delivery system in order to improve the health status of its residents. 

Dr. Faisal Idris, officer-in-charge of the CHO, said several health facility projects are on-going to ensure the availability and accessibility of health services. 

“These include the construction of P13-million Marawi City Hospital in Barangay Bito Buadi Itowa and the creation of CHO-satellite offices in four distant barangays of the city,” he said. 

According to him, the satellite offices are to be constructed in Barangays Timbangalan, Kapantaran, Amito, and Cabingan with an estimated budget of P3 million each. 

Idris further said that the CHO has also implemented various initiatives responsive to the health needs of its people. 

He said the initiatives involve the mobilization of the community, the academe, and religious leaders as partners in healthcare delivery. 

“We have also successfully build alliance with multi-sector partners for TB control, as well as, strengthened ties with the private sector in order for us to reach more constituents,” he added

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Forum underlines role of media in attaining peace

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 23 (PIA) -- A peace communication forum held last week in Cotabato City has emphasized the big role of media in attaining peace. 

“A minor skirmish can escalate into a major war because of irresponsible reportage,” said Carol Arguillas of MindaNews during the first Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Peace Communication Summit held last week in Cotabato City where she discussed the role of media in promoting peace in the coverage of armed conflict. 

She noted that many journalists who are covering armed conflict in Mindanao do not care about the impact of their stories. 

Thus, she reiterated the need to focus on reporting not only the characters and context but most importantly on the repercussion of conflict. 

Other speakers during the summit were Assistant Secretary Rosalie Romero of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) who presented the updates on the peace process and the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program of the government, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) Chairman Guiamel Alim who discussed the role of civil society organizations in peace communication and Prof. Arnold Molina Azurin of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Anthropology who talked about changing the mindset to create culture of peace. 

After the presentations, the participants broke into groups to discuss ways to improve news gathering and reporting on peace and conflict; the elements of peace communication that are acceptable to media, civil society organizations (CSOs), private companies and the government; building partnerships among media, news sources, and other stakeholders; and exploring alternative media to foster peace communication at the grassroots level. 

The participants, mostly media practitioners and representatives from the academe and civil society, also expressed their support to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in the ARMM by signing the multi-sectoral declaration of commitment pledging to promote transparency, help empower citizens, and harness the power of new technologies to make government more effective and accountable. 

With the theme “Beyond Conflict, Political Coverage: Is There a Room for Peace Communication in Muslim Mindanao Reportage?,” the peace summit was aimed at finding ways to help reduce conflict in Muslim Mindanao through more responsible communication from all sides. 

It was a collaborative undertaking of the Bureau of Public Information in the region (BPI-ARMM), the Communications Unit of the OPAPP, the Asia Foundation, the Australian Agency for International Development Program (AusAID) and the CBCS. 

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Good governance paves way for peace and order

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 21 (PIA) -- The governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) underscored the importance of good governance in promoting and maintaining peace and order. 

Governor Mujiv Hataman said good governance is much related to peace and order citing that if governance at the barangay, municipal, and provincial levels is functional then peace and order problems can be addressed easily. 

“How will you put a stop to kidnapping and other criminal activities if the barangay captain is not in the barangay, if the mayor is not also in the municipality?” he pointed out. 

He further said that functional governance is the sustainable solution and deterrent to peace and order problems. 

“If your governance is functional, then your lupong tagapamayapa, municipal peace and order council (MPOC), and provincial peace and order council (PPOC) become functional too,” Hataman explained. 

On the issue of loose firearms in the region, the ARMM Governor said the regional peace and order council (RPOC) has passed a resolution pushing for the implementation of a total gun ban. 

He also said that the recently reconstituted RPOC, which serves as the main machinery to ensure peace and order in the region, has crafted a resolution requesting the Office of the President to issue a general amnesty on loose firearms in the ARMM. 

Hataman stressed that the general amnesty will help in the inventory and regulation of loose firearms. 

“Dapat magkaroon muna ng general amnesty para malaman ang bilang ng mga loose firearms at kung saan-saan ang mga ito,’ he emphasized. 

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Three outstanding ARMM mayors commended for good governance

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 20 (PIA) -- Three outstanding mayors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) took the center stage on Monday as they were commended at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City. 

ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman hailed Mayors Ramon Piang of North Upi and Lester Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat, both of Maguindanao province, and Roderick Furigay of Lamitan City for showing good governance, excellent leadership, and efficient management of their respective government units, during his first 100 days address in Cotabato. 

The three mayors were recipients of the Seal of Excellence Award by the Civil Service Commission. 

In his “Ulat sa Bayan,” Hataman announced that the regional government will be giving Piang, Sinsuat, and Furigay P5-million worth of projects each. 

Thus, he challenges other local chief executives in the region to emulate the dedication and outstanding performances of the said mayors. 

He also urged them to report regularly in their respective offices noting that many local officials in the island provinces could be found enjoying in Zamboanga City while those in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur could be found in the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro, respectively, instead of performing their functions at their respective provinces and towns.

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ARMM to put up satellite structure to oversee island provinces

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 20 (PIA) --- A plan to set up a satellite structure of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the province of Basilan to oversee the island-components of the region is now underway. 

The announcement was made by Officer-in-charge (OIC) Governor Mujiv Hataman in his first “Ulat sa Bayan” on Monday, a report of the initial gains in the first 100 days of his administration’s ARMM reform agenda and the policies that have been put in place. 

Hataman said the plan is meant to “bring ARMM governance closer to the people of the island provinces.” 

ARMM constituents in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi often feel alienated from the region’s seat in Cotabato City. 

The satellite structure will be headed by former Sulu Governor Yusoph Jikiri, who is presently the chief-of-staff of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and will be installed in the island province of Basilan, according to Hataman. 

The acting ARMM governor dismissed the notion that his administration does not confer with the MNLF in going about its reform agenda. 

He said the would-be appointment of Jikiri proves that the MNLF are practically onboard his goal to change and straighten out the system in ARMM. 

The satellite structure, he said, will allow the ARMM government to provide similar attention to security and development issues in all the five component provinces of the region. 

Apart from bringing government closer to its people, Hataman also underscored today that the interim ARMM administration takes full commitment to open governance, welcoming citizens from anywhere in the country or the world by means of its newly-designed web portal to monitor the workings and transactions in the autonomous government for the first time. 

ARMM also has a standing social contract with its constituents as represented by various civil society groups across the region. 

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ARMM launches its portals of Open Government

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 19 (PIA) -- The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has opened its portals of open government to the public as an affirmation of its commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP). 

The OGP is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance 

The launching was spearheaded by ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman, after he delivered his “Ulat sa Bayan” for the first 100 days in office last Monday, April 16. 

Hataman was accompanied by Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, and Senator Teofisto Guingona II. 

The Open Governance Portal contains the budgets, projects and expenditures of all government agencies that can be accessed by the public. 

Accordingly, the ARMM kiosk is the first of its kind being used by any government entity in the country and paves the trail for open governance and public accountability. 

People can also access the latest reports on utilization of funds and status of implementation of on-going projects in the region through the new ARMM website, www.armm.gov.ph. 

The ARMM is the first region in the country to have signified its commitment to the OGP that the country founded, along with Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States on September 20, 2011 

Hataman disclosed that after the institution of the transparency and accountability portal, the regional government will now focus on the inter-connectivity of the all agencies in the region. 

He said negotiations with the Commission on Audit on the processing of disbursements, as well as with some IT experts are on-going to strive for zero corruption in the region.

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Civil society serves a vital role in reforming ARMM - Hataman

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 18 (PIA) -- Civil society organizations (CSOs) are indispensable partners in overhauling fraudulent and wasteful practices in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 

This was underscored by ARMM Officer-in-Charge Governor Mujiv Hataman as he presented last April 16 the initial gains in his first 100 days in office citing the crucial role being played by CSOs in instituting needed reforms in the region. 

The present ARMM caretaker administration has a binding agreement with its constituents to uphold participatory and transparent governance when it signed a social contract with various CSOs last February. 

Hataman said the social contract is in keeping with his administration’s policy on open governance. 

“At the onset, we made clear, as matter of policy, our commitment to the Open Government Partnership, initially, with the civil society - the Philippines being one of the first countries to have affixed its approval to this binding of nations for greater objectives in a common fight against corruption,” he said. 

Hataman also highlighted ARMM’s collaborations with CSOs and donor institutions in putting in place reforms in the areas of electoral practices, education, environment, infrastructures, fiscal policies, health, agriculture, agrarian, and the volatile peace and security issues in the region.

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Marawi marks 32nd anniversary as an Islamic City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 18 (PIA) -- A colourful and festive parade in the main thoroughfares of the city was last April 15 to commemorate the 32nd anniversary when the Marawi was declared as an Islamic City. 

Formerly named "Dansalan," the city was given a charter in 1940 pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 592. It was renamed to "Marawi" in 1956 through a congressional amendment sponsored by then Senator Domocao Alonto. On April 15, 1980, it was declared an “Islamic City” through City Council Resolution No. 19-A, giving credence and recognition that 92 percent of its population are Muslims. 

Anchored on the theme “Strengthening Islamic Faith: Key to Progress and Development,” a simple program was also conducted at the city hall grounds where City Mayor Fahad Salic expressed appreciation to his constituents for their unwavering support to the city government. 

Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., regional secretary of the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM), and the representative of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, urged the people of the city to join hands and show to the world that Islam is for peace, reform, truth, charity, and progress. 

He also appealed to them to support the reforms currently being initiated in the region stressing that these reforms are for the sake of the Muslim people who have always been victims of many atrocities and abuses from all sectors. 

“President Benigno S. Aquino III wanted to change ARMM, for good, and he cannot do that without our support and cooperation,” he said. 

"In the name of Islam, let us prove that we are one with them," he added. 

During the program, the DOH-ARMM Secretary also disclosed that the DOH central office has approved the health facility enhancement project of the city. 

"The project which includes the construction of a city hospital is worth P44 million," he further disclosed.

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ARMM Peace Communication Summit slated on April 17

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 14 (PIA) -- In order to find better ways to communicate for peace in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a one-day Peace Communication Summit will be held on April 17, 2012 at Al-Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City. 

The said summit was organized by an ad hoc group called “armmpeace.com,” a collaboration among the Bureau of Public Information (BPI) in the ARMM, the Communications Units of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP), The Asia Foundation, and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Inc., as an effort to pursue peace initiatives in Mindanao. 


Anchored on the theme “Beyond Conflict and Political Coverage, Is There a Room for Peace Communication in the Reportage of Muslim Mindanao,” the summit will highlight a discussion on peace initiatives and how communication can either hinder or help in attaining peace objectives. 


According to Nash B. Maulana, BPI-ARMM Director, the summit was conceived to bring together different groups and individuals to discuss ways to help reduce conflict in Muslim Mindanao through more responsible communication from all sides. 


Participants from the civil society, government and corporate communicators, and the media will be sharing their views, experiences and insights on how to communicate for peace, he added.

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DENR-ARMM pursues greening program

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) is engaging in a massive region-wide reforestation under the National Greening Program (NGP).

“We are vigorously pursuing the implementation of the NGP which seeks to address poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation,” said DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Kedtag during the 1st ARMM Summit on Environmental Protection held here recently.

He said the DENR-ARMM is set to produce 5,296,500 seedlings for the 2011-2012 implementation of the program.

According to him, these seedlings will be planted in 2,500 hectares of denuded and open forestland within the region’s five provinces, namely Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

It can be recalled that DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman inked an agreement earlier this year to ensure the full implementation of the NGP in the region.

A flagship program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the greening program involves the growing of 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of lands nationwide from 2011 to 2016.

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ARMM partners with Mindanao Development Authority to fast-track investments

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 10 (PIA) -- The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to enhance its link to potential investors and fast-track investments in the region.

The MOA, which aims to boosts local and foreign direct investments in the autonomous region, was signed during the 1st ARMM Economic Summit held recently in Cotabato City.

With the MOA, MinDA and the ARMM regional government shall establish a one-stop shop that would facilitate business transactions faster, easier, and more convenient for prospective investors.

The partnership shall also embark on a strengthened campaign to promote and facilitate investments ranging from small and medium enterprises to agro-industrial ventures.

Currently, the ARMM-Regional Board of Investments in coordination with MinDA is facilitating the entry of two companies which are planning to expand their banana plantations in the region.

"Said investments are valued at P1.5-billion," said Mr. Larzon Santos, ARMM-Board of Investments research division chief.

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Stalwart troopers confiscate firearms and illegal drugs

MULONDO, Lanao del Sur, April 9 (PIA) -- Troops from the 65th Infantry (Stalwart) Battalion, 9th Infantry (Spear) Division under Lt. Col. Seigred J. Espina confiscated loose firearms and shabu last April 4 while conducting checkpoint at Barangay Kitambogon.

The Stalwart troopers found two Colt Cal. 45 pistols with one magazine each and loaded with four and six rounds of live ammunition bearing serial numbers 7790314 and 006192, but without any legal documents, from the possession of three individuals on board a Tamaraw FX with plate number UMX 436.

The troops also recovered more or less one gram of shabu and P4,020 from the possession of the apprehended individuals.

The said vehicle and personalities were then brought to the 65IB headquarters for further investigation and verification of the documents of the aforementioned vehicle.

Meanwhile, the confiscated items were placed to the supply office of the 65IB headquarters for safekeeping and proper disposition, while the apprehended personalities were turned-over to the custody of the Marawi City Police Station for filing of appropriate charges.

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ARMM holds first environment summit

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 5 (PIA) -- Representatives from various sectors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have gathered in a summit to tackle issues and concerns about the environmental protection.

Members of various national government agencies, non-government organizations, peoples’ organizations, academicians, environmentalists and leaders from the five provinces of the ARMM attended the summit, anchored on the theme “Beyond Disasters: Mainstreaming Environmental Awareness and Advocacy Through Multi-Sectoral Collaboration,” held on March 31 at the Mamitua Saber Research and Technology Center of the Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Campus in Marawi City.

Spearheaded by the ARMM government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region, the summit was designed to enhance awareness on the current state of the autonomous region’s environment.

DENR-ARMM secretary Kahal Kedtag discussed the situation of the environment and the region's natural resources as well as the actions taken by the ARMM government and the DENR-ARMM to protect such resources.

Among the key speakers during the summit were Professor Danilo Mero from the MSU College of Forestry and Environmental Studies who discussed the importance of watershed management and biodiversity conservation while Environmental Management Bureau-10 regional director Dr. Sabdullah Abubacar presented the problems and prospects of Lake Lanao.

BGen. Loreto Rirao, executive director of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in ARMM also tackled the mainstreaming of the disaster risk reduction and management act into local development plans.

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Guv urges constituents to help protect environment

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 5 (PIA) -- The governor of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has called on his constituents to cooperate and support the region's efforts in protecting the environment.

ARMM OIC-governor Mujiv Hataman sounded the call during the recently-concluded ARMM Summit on Environmental Protection held at the Mamitua Saber Research and Technology Center of the Mindanao State University Main Campus, this city.

In his keynote message, Hataman underscored the important relationship of the environment and the people citing Lake Lanao as an example.

“Ang pag-unlad ng probinsiya o bansa ay nakabatay sa industriya na pumapasok sa kanya, pero ang industriya ay hindi mabubuhay kung walang enerhiya at isa sa mga pinanggagalingan ng enerhiya sa Mindanao ay ang Lake Lanao (The development of a province or a country is depended on the industry which invests on it, but the industry won't survive if there is no energy. One of the energy sources in Mindanao is Lake Lanao),” he stressed.

Thus, he exhorted all participants to do their share in the conservation and protection of Lake Lanao for the sake, not only of ARMM but also of entire Mindanao.

He also urged the mayors present during the environment summit to be transparent in their administration and to always practice good governance.

Hataman announced that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has signed a memorandum of agreement with ARMM for a P49-million greening program in the region.

Also, as government's support to the ARMM, the National Economic Development Authority Board has approved the P7-billion Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management project of the DENR, which includes the rehabilitation and greening of the Lake Lanao watershed.

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