MILF holds capability development seminar in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 23 (PIA) --- In an effort to give primacy to the Mindanao peace process, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Ranaw Region Bangsamoro Homeland conducted a two-day capability development seminar with its members and various constituencies in the province.

The capability development seminar on good governance and updates on the GPH-MILF peace process, with the theme “Aiming Towards Excellence in the Emerging Bangsamoro,” was held from December 22 to 23 at Noramis Function Hall, this city.

The two-day activity aimed to discuss with our constituencies the different agreements reached by the government and MILF particularly on the three annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, said MILF Central Committee Second Vice Chairman Alim Ali Solaiman.

He said there is a need to educate them on the completed annexes because some are still confused if the annexes are separate from the Framework Agreement itself.

Lectures during the two-day activity include the Islamic concept of peace, good governance, difference between presidential and parliamentary form of government, gains of the GPH-MILF peace process, and the annexes on the transitional arrangements and modalities, wealth sharing, and power sharing, among others.

Solaiman said they also wanted to consult their constituents on the normalization and update them on the policing matters.

The members of the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP), he said, recently held a consultation meeting with MILF commanders.

The ICP was tasked by the GPH and MILF peace panels to conduct studies and produce recommendations on the appropriate policing for the Bangsamoro entity.

Meanwhile, Solaiman expressed appreciation to President Benigno S. Aquino III for his sincerity in achieving lasting peace and progress in Mindanao.

He also gave assurance that the MILF is committed and sincere in the peace process.

With regards to the normalization process, Solaiman hopes that the government and the MILF can work together for the control of firearms and the disbandment of private armies or other armed groups in the area.

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Women’s perspectives on peace and security sought

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 11 (PIA) --- Selected women in the two Lanao provinces are being consulted on the various aspects of peace building and normalization.

The capability building cum consultation held in De Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro from December 10-12 is organized by the Women Engaged in Action on 1325 (WE Act 1325) in collaboration with Al-Mujadilah Development Foundation, Inc. and with the support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The three-day activity aims to strengthen women’s meaningful involvement in mechanisms that can help provide peace and stability particularly on the process of normalization.

The inputs and perspectives that will be gathered during the activity will be conveyed to the Transition Commission to ensure that woman’s perspectives on peace and security will be adequately reflected in the Basic Law, said Jasmin Nario-Galace, co-convener of the WE Act 1325.

Aside from the updates on the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the capability building cum consultation also features discussions on human rights and international humanitarian law, conflict resolution and mediation, arms control, early warning and early response, gender in Islam and indigenous people’s traditions.

With 36 member organizations and networks nationwide, WE Act 1325 was launched in November 2010 to help implement the Philippine National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325 and 1820.

Galace said the Philippine NAP seeks to empower women to build peace, prevent war and resolve conflicts.

It is a shared space between peace activist, women activist, and human rights activists focused on preventing war and building peace, she further said.

Accordingly, Philippine is the first country in Asia and 18th in the world to develop a NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820.

The NAP is incorporated in the Philippine Development Plan 2010-2016 and embedded in the Magna Carta for Women. (APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM increases awareness campaign on AIDS

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 11 (PIA) --- In line with the World AIDS Day commemoration, government health workers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) embark on a month-long awareness campaign on human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the region this December.

“We want to raise the level of understanding of residents in ARMM on HIV/AIDS,” said Saida Alih, Department of Health (DOH)-ARMM information officer. 

Alih said they have tapped the help of religious scholars in providing key information about AIDS in a manner that recognizes the cultural sensibility of the region’s vastly Moro population. 

DOH-ARMM has recorded four cases of AIDS in the region in 2010. No case has been reported this year. 

Kadil Sinolinding, ARMM’s health secretary, said they don’t put aside the possibility of unreported cases considering the stigma attached to the disease. 

He said they want to help eradicate AIDS by educating people about the disease. (Kistine P. Abatayo, OJT – Bureau of Public Information-ARMM)

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RHRC-ARMM steps-up effort to promote human rights in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 3 (PIA) – The Regional Human Rights Commission in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RHRC-ARMM) is stepping up its efforts to promote human rights in the region.

Lawyer Abdel Jamal R. Disangcopan, head of the RHRC Lanao del Sur Provincial Office, told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in a radio interview Monday that they are conducting series of lectures on human rights and International Humanitarian Law to educate the public on human rights.

Disangcopan noted that they hardly received human rights-related reports during their few months of operation in the province. “Bihira lang ang napa-file o nagre-report, yung iba, hindi na bumabalik,” he said.

According to him, this could be due to lack of awareness on human rights.

“We are not encouraging them to file but we need proof or evidence before we can make an action,” he added.

He said the RHRC which is independent from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the ARMM regional government monitors, conducts investigations and provides doable solutions.

Disangcopan also disclosed that the RHRC is strengthening the Bangsamoro Human Rights Network (BHRN) and on the process of completing municipal human rights profiles (MHRP).

He said the BHRN is a network of individuals and organizations advocating for human rights in the region.

“We also visit the different municipalities and ask data such as the number of schools, out-of-school children, availability of fire trucks, among others, to come up with a baseline data to determine what facilities are lacking, Disangcopan said.

“We will not give funds but we can lobby to the respective government agencies regarding the lacking facilities, he further said.

To date, Disangcopan said they have visited 29 municipalities in the province and about halfway through the MHRP.

He said they hope to finish visiting the rest of the municipalities by year-end.

Meanwhile, the RHRC-ARMM will gather human rights champions and defenders on December 9 in Cotabato City for a regional multi-stakeholders human rights conference.

Disangcopan said the conference will serve as a venue for consultations for the different stakeholders of human rights in ARMM.

One of the highlights of the conference, he said, is the launching of RHRC newsletter/annual report and the RHRC website, an interactive website which will serve as their main hub of communication.

Through the website, the public can download forms, e-mail us their concerns and comments, and even talk to RHRC commissioners, he added.

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Human Rights Day fun run raises funds for IDPs, typhoon victims

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 2 (PIA) --- The green light is on for the staging of the human rights day fun run in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) slated this coming December 10 here in the city.

The fun run dubbed “Run for Your Rights” aims to help internally-displaced person (IDPs) in Zamboanga and survivors of typhoon Yolanda in Visayas, said Atty. Abdel Jamal R. Disangcopan, head of the Provincial Field Office of Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in today’s airing of “Ozor ka, Ranao!” radio program.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds from the activity we will donate to the IDPs in Zamboanga and typhoon victims in Visayas,” he said.

Disangcopan said three categories are available in fun run, the 3K, 5K and 10K, plus a walkathon for those not interested to run but would like to participate for the cause.

Registration fee is the same for all categories, P300 for adult and P250 for students. This is inclusive of the singlet and race kits.

Disangcopan said they also give discounts for those registering as groups like a fee of only P800 for a family of four or P1,200 for friends of five.

Those who do not want to have a singlet can register for only P100.

Interested participants may sign up either at the RHRC Provincial Office located at the Provincial Capitol Compound or Mindanao State University (MSU) College of Public Administration, Philippine Muslim Teachers College, Lake Lanao College, and Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao.

Registration is until Saturday, December 7.

The starting point of the run is at KM0.00 in Amai Pakpak at 4:30 in the morning.

Disangcopan said the event which is in line with the International Human Rights Day celebration is also a venue to promote human rights.

Aside from helping the IDPs and typhoon victims, he said participants can also learn more about human rights through lectures and hand-outs that will be given away during the event.

They can also have picture-taking in a human rights booth and sign a commitment for human rights protection, he added.

Meanwhile, RHRC gave assurance on the safety and security of those joining the fun run.

Disangcopan said they have secured the necessary permit and have coordinated with the provincial and city governments as well as the local police for the staging of the fun run. 

“Ozor ka, Ranao!” is a one-hour radio program of Philippine Information Agency and Philippine Broadcasting Service that aims to provide people with information and updates on various efforts to bring development and prosperity in the province. It is being aired live over DxSO Radyo ng Bayan Marawi, 8am to 9am, every first and third Monday of the month.

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Lanao del Sur celebrates enthronement of the 6th “Sultan sa Ranao”

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 1 (PIA) --- The province is celebrating the enthronement of former Bumbaran Mayor Mastura Dalig Bagambang Manabilang as the sixth “Sultan sa Ranao”.

Manabilang was endorsed by the five Datus of Marawi, 28 legislative bodies (adel a gaus), four (pat a engud) Datus of sovereign boundaries in Lanao, and other traditional and religious leaders in a fitting ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, Saturday, November 30.

Accordingly, he was confirmed as the new Sultan sa Ranao based on his integrity, leadership capability and credibility, making him the epitome to represent Lanao locally and internationally to advocate for the betterment and welfare of the Maranaos.

Manabilang served as the mayor of Bumbaran town for full three terms. During his incumbency, he initiated the construction of several infrastructure projects including the construction of municipal hall building, Bumbaran auditorium, ABC Hall, day care and rural health centers, public and flea market, warehouses with solar dryers, school buildings, and two big mosques.

He championed the maintenance of peace and order that paved way for multi-national investors to capitalize on local resources boosting the town’s economy.

The enthronement ceremony was highlighted by the pinning of the sash by the heirs of the Sultan sa Ranao Ibra Gundarangin and Muhammad Malawani assisted by the five Datus of Marawi and Pat A Engud; fastening of the noble kandit (belt) as a symbol of power by the heirs of former Sultan sa Ranao Bato Ali and Cosain Naga assisted by the 28 Adel a Gaus; ordaining of noble kris as a symbol of authority by the 16 Royal House of Panuroganan;  and installation of the noble diogit (crown) as a symbol of empowerment by the Sarip Batua and Datu a Petheelan of the Madaya Sultanate Executive Committee.

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Lanao del Sur organizes communicators network to promote dev't efforts

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 01 (PIA) --- The Provincial Government thru its Provincial Information Office in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency organized a communicators’ network to promote development efforts in the province.

The network called Lanao del Sur Communicators Network (LanaoComNet) was created in a organizational meeting of designated information officers held at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room November 28.

Provincial Information Officer Sultan Ansary Maongco, who presided the meeting, underscored the importance of having a network of information officers in the province. “Other provinces in the country have created their own information officers network except for Lanao del Sur,” he said.

He also said the organization of the network is very crucial because information is a basic tool in the development process.

“Part of the seven-point agenda of Provincial Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. is the appropriate dissemination of information because governance is doing the right way and disseminating information the right way,” he further said.

The network aims to promote the development programs, projects and activities of the provincial, city and municipal governments as well as national and regional line agencies in the province.

It also seeks to hasten the promotion and delivery of development-oriented materials to the public and gathering of community pulse on vital issues and concerns affecting the welfare of the people in the province.

Meanwhile, other government information officers who were not able to attend the meeting are encouraged joining the network.

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NFA Lanao del Sur intensifies local palay procurement

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 01 (PIA) --- The National Food Authority (NFA) here is intensifying its local palay procurement program to help the government attain its goal of self-sufficiency when it comes to rice.

NFA Information Officer Khayamera Dialem said they are now implementing several strategies to encourage more farmers to sell their produce to the NFA.

She said NFA Provincial Manager Sittienaidah Sampaco is closely monitoring the palay production in the province and has deployed several mobile procurement teams to go to the places of farmers.

She said they also simplified the requirements for the issuance of individual farmers passbook adding that the farmers passbook and taking of its ID picture is now free of charge.

Additional incentives are also available for farmers selling their produce to NFA such as delivery fee, drying fee and cooperative development incentive fee (CDIF).

Dialem said they are buying palay at P17.00 per kilogram (kg) plus the added incentives of P0.20/kg drying fee, P0.20/kg delivery fee, and P0.30/kg CDIF.

Interested farmers can go directly to the NFA provincial office for more details or they can contact NFA Information Office at 0947-934-8071.

For the period January 1 to November 26, this year, the NFA Provincial Office has been able to procure 5,995 bags or 287,324.15 kg of palay.

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Peace dialogue kicks-off Mindanao Week of Peace celebration in Lanao Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 01 (PIA) – A consultative dialogue for peace with a theme “Dialogue and Hope: Our Key to Peace” kicked-off the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) celebration in the province.

The dialogue spearheaded by the Lanao del Sur People’s Council (LDSPC) was held at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room last November 27, 2013.

Hadja Nabihah “Noni” Lao, executive director of LDSPC, said the dialogue was aimed to call for collective action among all stakeholders in the promotion of lasting peace not only in the province but also in the whole Mindanao.

“I believe that through the guidance of Almighty Allah/God, we can be promoters and key servants of peace by holding hands and working together, regardless of race, religion, profession, and culture,” she said. 

KASALIMBAGO Chairman Professor Salipada Tamano who explained the history of the MWOP celebration underscored the relevance of the dialogue’s theme.

“We need to maximize and double our efforts in promoting dialogue and hope in order for us to catch-up and possibly be comparable to the other regions in the country,” he said.

Tamano said the MWOP celebration was a result of the organization of the Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) more than ten years ago by Mindanao religious leaders to promote dialogue among the religious groups in Mindanao.

“The problem in Mindanao and in the country is nothing but a problem of misunderstanding between religious sectors that must be replaced by better understanding and promotion of mutual respects and reconciliation,” he said.

In line with this, Tamano said, Presidential Proclamation No. 127 declaring the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year as the MWOP was issued.

According to him, the Proclamation enjoins and encourages all concern government agencies and instrumentalities including government owned and controlled corporations as well as members of the private sector and civil society to conduct meaningful activities in celebration of MWOP.

The peace dialogue also featured updates on the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro (FAB) presented by Major Carlos T. Sol, Head of JCCCH, GPH-MILF Peace Talk.

In addition, awarding of recognition to the men and women of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and 103rd Infantry Brigade, and civil society organizations who have contributed to the peaceful and honest conduct of the recent national, local, and barangay elections in the province.

The peace dialogue was graced by the local chief executives in the province, representatives of line agencies, civil society organizations, security forces as well as youth leaders and media practitioners.

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DAF, DepEd partner with UN-WFP to improve food security in ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 21 (PIA) --- The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will work jointly with the United Nations–World Food Program (UN-WFP) to improve food security in the region.  

The three agencies signed on Tuesday, November 19, an agreement that establishes their collaboration in the strengthening of the “Gulayan sa Paaralan,” a project that brings together the school and the community in putting up a vegetable garden within the school compound.

Macmod Mending, DAF-ARMM secretary, said the project aims to improve food security and the health of school children in the region and also lessen incidents of malnutrition.

DepEd-ARMM will help identify an area of at least 1,000 square meters in every participating school where the “gulayan” or garden can be put up and encourage 20 farmer-parents and pupils to engage in the project.

The UN-WFP will support the project through the provision of food support, monitoring the progress of the engagements and facilitating meetings of stakeholders, according to the agreement.

Meanwhile, DAF-ARMM will provide agricultural inputs and organize a Project Management Team (PMT) at the provincial levels to ensure proper coordination among stakeholders.

The agency vowed to ensure the sustainability of the program and conduct a harvest festival as an indicator of its progress.

Mujiv S. Hataman, regional governor of ARMM, lauded the efforts and partnership of the three agencies.

He said it is also important to recognize the school beneficiaries who will successfully attain their target for the harvest festival. (Arman C.Trabucon/OJT-Bureau of Public Information/APB/PIA-10)

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OSYs in Lanao del Sur to benefit from TESDA, BEAM and Synergia partnership

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) --- An additional 1,000 out-of-school youth (OSY) will benefit from a new skills training project that will start next month.

The OSY training project aims to provide an avenue for OSYs to become productive members of the community, said TESDA Provincial Director Tarhata S. Mapandi during the “Ozor ka, Ranao!” program aired Monday, November 18, over DxSO Radyo ng Bayan Marawi.

Mapandi said the training project is a joint undertaking of the Basic Education Assistance in Mindanao (BEAM), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Synergia Foundation.

It will be implemented in Marawi City and seven Synergia-partnered municipalities like Ganassi, Kapatagan, Saguiaran, Mulondo, Taraka, Balindong, and Calanogas, she said.

But Mapandi added that she has also requested for slots or inclusion of OSYs in far-flung areas of the province.

She said the six-month training which they hope to finish in May 2014 is geared towards wage and self employment.

“Ozor ka, Ranao!” is a one-hour radio program of Philippine Information Agency and Philippine Broadcasting Service aims to provide people with information and updates on various efforts 

to bring development and prosperity in the province.

It is aired live over DxSO Radyo ng Bayan Marawi, 8am to 9am, every first and third Monday of the month. (APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM Vice Governor leads tree planting activity in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid A. Lucman, Jr led a tree planting activity in Mindanao State University (MSU) Main campus, Saturday, November 16.

Around 300 seedlings consisting of tanglin, igyo, white lawaan, upang, and mab’lo (fruit berry) were planted by Lucman and representatives from Lanao del Sur Police Office, 103rd Infantry Brigade, students, and youth groups in the one-hectare Demo Farm of MSU College of Forestry and Environmental Science.

Melvin U. Disomimba, faculty of the MSU College of Forestry and Environmental Science, expressed appreciation to the regional vice governor for choosing the demo farm as the area of the tree planting activity.

“Only few were able to conduct this kind of activity here but with the initiative of the regional vice governor, we realized now that we have partners in the advocacy of promoting and protecting the environment,” he said.

The tree planting activity was part of the ECOWATCH program of the vice governor launched recently here to promote awareness on the protection of Lake Lanao and the environment. (Mohammad Nassif M. Elias/APB/PIA-10)

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ECOWATCH launched in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) – A program on environmental protection was launched here Thursday, November 14.

The launching of the program dubbed “ECOWATCH” was spearheaded by the Office of the Regional Vice Governor in partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) and the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (BYA).

ARMM Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid A. Lucman said the program aims to promote awareness on the protection of Lake Lanao and the environment.

He said it is also an avenue for the government to provide support to the youth for a wider advocacy on environmental protection.

“Alam namin ang ganitong advocacy ay mahirap isulong kapag walang supporta ang mga kabataan so the challenge entirely defends on you whether you will response positively on this challenge”, Lucman said to the different youth groups who participated in the launching held in Marawi Resort Hotel, Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus.

Regional Environment Secretary Kahal Q. Kedtag said the DENR-ARMM, since the very beginning, pledge to support the reform agenda of the regional governor Mujiv Hataman which includes environment protection.

He also said that they are working hand in hand with other line agencies of the government to ensure that their programs and projects are environmentally friendly and sound.

“Our mandate of ensuring sustainable development of the region and the promotion of environment sustainability and protection remains to be at the fore front of our programs and projects”, reiterated Kedtag.

He said he is happy that the Office of the ARMM Regional Vice Governor of took the step in bridging the youth to the environment and instilling in the mindset of youth that they have also the responsibility towards the environment.

During the launching, lectures on climate change and tree planting, as well as, the state of Lake Lanao and related issues and concerns were presented by name DENR Provincial Director Cosain Abbas and PENRO Pipalawan Naga, respectively.

Dr. Asnawil Ronsing, professor and director of Shariah Center of MSU-Main Campus, also tackled the Islamic perspective in preserving the environment.

The ECOWATCH launching was attended by 190 advocates of environmental protection comprising of students, youth leaders, and civil society organizations in the province. (Mohammad Nassif M. Elias/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM’s 24th anniversary packed with cultural events

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 16 (PIA) --- The month-long anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which started early this month is set to launch activities that showcase the diverse cultures and traditions of the region.

The anniversary dubbed as ‘Pakaradjaan’, a Moro generic term which means festivities kicked off last November 7, tied with the celebration of the Sheikh Makhdum day, an Arab missionary who was responsible for the propagation of the Islamic faith in the country more than 600 years ago.

Ardan Sali, executive director of the ARMM’s Bureau on Cultural Heritage said cultural events were lined up for the entire month.

“Some of these are tutorial workshops on Kulintang, Kuntao, Pangalay and Sagayan dances,” said Sali.

He said that the upshot of the month-long celebration is to indulge the people of ARMM to increase the value of their appreciation as well as showcase the tribal culture, norms and traditions from the five major provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. (Kistine P. Abatayo, Arman C. Trabucon, Lady Jean L. Kabagani / OJT – Bureau of Public Information/PIA)

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ARMM Gov. Hataman receives outstanding governorship award

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 14 (PIA) --- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman is one of this year’s awardees for Outstanding Governorship given by an international organization, Wednesday, November 13, in Metro Manila.

Hataman received the coveted Outstanding Governorship Award from the Superbrands Marketing Incorporated (SMI), an organization founded in 1994 in United Kingdom with 90 member countries.

Hataman is the sole Moro governor among the six awardees that include Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.

“I would like to thank those who make up the Superbrands Marketing Incorporated or SMI for giving recognition to the Outstanding Governors for 2013,” Hataman said on his speech during the awarding ceremony.

He said he is elated to be among those chosen to receive the award this year.

“If I am not mistaken, I am the first Muslim or Moro leader, as far as I know, to receive this award. I would take this as a great honor not only for myself but for the entire Bangsamoro,” he said.

The award, according to SMI, serves as testimony of Filipinos’ commitment to excellence.

Hataman is known for initiating reforms in the graft-ridden 24-year old regional bureaucracy and was touted by President Benigno Aquino III as ‘ghostbuster’ for his efforts in combating ghost teachers and schools that led to hundreds of millions of savings in the region’s education department.

“The key to our service is our loyalty to our duty, determination to right the wrong, decision to reform a rotten system and a firm belief in the capability of our people. In a short period, we have shown that change can happen in ARMM,” Hataman said.

The regional chief executive also reiterated his all-out support to the ongoing peace negotiations in the south.

“As of now, we are preparing ARMM for the coming of a final peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and our government. We look forward to a peaceful and better tomorrow with the coming of the Bangsamoro,” he said.

                                                 

Hataman, who earlier announced that his government will send a humanitarian team to Visayas, sent his message of solidarity to all those affected by the super storm Yolanda.

“In closing, I would like to express our solidarity with all the provinces devastated by typhoon Yolanda. We in ARMM send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of those who perished in the typhoon. Let us show at times like this our unity as a nation, who cares and supports each other whether there is a calamity or not,” he said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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Float parade kicks-off ARMM’s 24th anniversary celebration

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 14 (PIA) --- The month-long celebration of the 24th anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) kicked off on November 7 with officials and employees parading the region’s rich and diverse culture in their traditional tribal attires with five floats adorned to represent each of the component provinces of the region.

The month-long celebration dubbed as “Pakaradjaan sa ARMM” (“Festivity in ARMM”) bannered the theme, “Pagkakaisa sa Kasayahan, Para sa Pagbabago sa Bangsamoro.”

Hataman said the celebration will not be limited in the region’s seat in Cotabato City.

“We’ll let all the people of the region experience and feel the spirit of the festivity by bringing the activities to the provincial level,” he said.

The regional government has earlier enjoined all offices and line agencies to organize activities that highlight the anniversary.

The opening ceremony of the “Pakaradjaan sa ARMM” also marked the 633rd anniversary celebration of the arrival of Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, the Arab missionary who first brought Islam to the country.

The Islamic faith is central to the Bangsamoro identity and has helped define their culture and history.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the kick-off celebration was also in honor of Sheikh Makhdum.

Meanwhile, Jose Lorena, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) undersecretary, lauded Hataman for enabling ARMM to take on its role in the ongoing peace process and the eventual transition to the Bangsamoro political entity.

“Today signifies the celebration of faith and enlightenment with the coming of Sheikh Makdhum, a celebration of unity, marking the 24th founding anniversary of ARMM,” Lorena said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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