PNP-Lanao del Sur Lady Officers Club holds oath taking of officers

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 29 (PIA) -- Officers of the newly-organized Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office (LDSPPO) Lady Officers Club took their oath of office in a simple ceremony held at the LDSPPO Conference Room recently. 

The oath taking was officiated in by LDSPPO Officer-In-Charge PSSupt Nickson Muksan. It was witnessed in by representatives of the Philippine Muslim Women Council (PMWC), Regional Legislative Assembly, and fellow police women assigned in the province. 

Sworn into office were PO2 Esnairah Lucman as president, PO3 Dycylyn Albellera as vice-president, PO3 Joy Marzonia as secretary, PO1 Laarni Palma as treasurer, PO3 Hamida Ibrahim as auditor, and PO3 Maria Fe Mortera as PIO. 

Muksan, in his message, underscored the crucial role of police women not only in their respective homes but also in the community. 

This was reiterated by Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis who stressed that police women officers remind the public of the rule of law through community presence and conversations. 

On the other hand, PMWC President Padoman Paporo lauded the LDSPPO for empowering police women and organizing the lady officers club. 

She said the PMWC will work closely with the club to address anything that involves the protection of children and women. 

Club President Lucman meanwhile pledged that officers of the newly-formed club will do their best in performing their duties and obligations. 

She said they will collaboratively work, with passion and commitment, to safeguard the welfare of the people in the province.

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DPWH-ARMM hires 400 part-time workers for summer job

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has hired 400 part-time workers for the agency’s summer job program this year. 

DPWH-ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain said the recruits, who are mostly students, will take part in the agency’s “Oplan Linis Bayan” Program, which includes the clean-up of major roads across the region. 

He said the program is meant to keep roads free from distractions as well as help maintain the cleanliness of the towns in ARMM. 

For this year, the agency made use of its generated savings to provide temporary jobs to at least 400 part-time workers which include students, out-of-school youths, unskilled workers and some Filipino deportees who were affected by the on-going conflict in Sabah, Malaysia. 

Each of the region’s eight engineering districts hired 50 part-timers to augment the equal number of regular workforce engaged in road clean-up. 

Sadain said the part-timers will receive a daily wage of P250. 

He added that the summer job program is another first in the DPWH’s 23-year history and was made possible through the present administration’s prudent fiscal handling. 

Jam Santos, a second year college student in one of the universities in the region, said he is grateful that he was chosen to be included in the summer job program. 

“I am happy to be granted the opportunity to earn this vacation,” he said. 

Nur Jihan Anton, also a student, said she would use her salary to help pay for her tuition in the coming school year. (ARMM Communications Group/PIA-10)

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President Aquino underscores vital role of local governments in development

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 23 (PIA) --- The important of role of local governments in bringing development at the countryside was underscored by President Benigno S. Aquino III during his meeting with local leaders and the community in the province on Monday. 

The Chief Executive said local governments have an important role in making positive gains and achievements at the national level felt at the local level. 

He pointed out that efficient local leaders are the key to transform national programs into tangible solutions that the locality can benefit from. 

“Lalong uunlad ang industriya dito ng cassava, saging, mais at palay kapag nakikipagtulungan ang inyong mga pinuno sa pagpapagawa ng mga farm-to-market roads sa inyong probinsiya (the cassava, banana, corn and palay industry here will be more progressive if your local leaders works hand in hand in the construction of farm-to-market roads in your province),” President Aquino said. 

He also said that Lanao del Sur will be known not only in the country but worldwide if the local government will help in developing the tourism industry in the province. 

According to him, a vibrant tourism industry would result to more jobs for the locals. (APB/PIA10) 

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Aquino warns politicians against using 4Ps to get votes

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 24 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III warned political candidates against using the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) to force the beneficiaries of the program to vote for them. 

The warning was issued by the President during his meeting with local leaders and the community in the province on Monday. 

He stressed that 4Ps is a program of the national government being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and whose beneficiaries were chosen by the DSWD through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction. 

He said local officials have no power to remove any beneficiary from list. 

The Chief Executive also told voters to junk candidates who threaten 4Ps beneficiaries off the list if they will not vote for them. 

A total of 94,230 households in the province are benefiting from the program. (APB/PIA10)

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PNoy urges Maranao electorate to support LP candidates

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 24 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Maranao voters to support candidates running under the Liberal Party (LP). 

The President sounded the call during his visit here Monday where he met local leaders and the community and officially proclaimed the LP candidates in the province. 

In his speech, Aquino urged voters in province to choose leaders that are tested, trusted, dedicated and whose service is for the people and not for themselves. 

He is optimistic that development in the province, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Mindanao, and the entire country is assured if voters will choose LP candidates who are not only good in words but also in action. 

“Meron na po kayong malinaw na batayan at pagpipilian at nakita na po ninyo ang estilo ng aming pamamahala (You now have clear basis and choices and you have seen our style and management),” he emphasized. 

With that, the President cited few on-going government projects in the province such as the Marawi-Malabang road and the rehabilitation of the Agus II bridge. 

He also mentioned the plan of the government to further develop the Lake Lanao Circumferential Road where part of it is the construction of the Marawi-Masiu-Bayang road. 

He said these projects once completed will benefit the Maranao populace through safer roads and faster travel. 

Speaking in Meranao dialect, President Aquino also appealed to the locals to work together and be united for peace and development of the country. 

“Magisa-isa tano, mamagogopa tano, sangana omani-isa rek tano so kagaga niyan sa giyangkae a kapanagontaman tano ko kalilintad ako kaptagompiya o kapaginged” (let us be united, work together and do our best in our respective tasks for our effort to attain peace and development of our country). (Mohammad Nassif M. Elias/APB/PIA-10) 

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PNoy cites programs to strengthen country’s education system

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 23 (PIA) -- President Aquino on Monday cited some of the government programs which aims to strengthen the education system in the country. 

In his keynote speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mindanao State University’s (MSU) College of Information Technology (CIT) building, the President said the government has launched the K+12 program to ensure that the Filipino youth can keep up with the graduates of other countries. 

He also said his administration has cleared the backlog on textbooks that it inherited for the Department of Education in 2012. He added that they are determined to address the 66,800 classroom shortage before the end of 2013. 

President Aquino also mentioned the Public Higher Education Roadmap of the Commission on Higher Education which aims to improve the instruction facilities of the country’s state universities and colleges. 

“Nariyan din ang Industry-Based Training for Work Scholarship Program ng TESDA, na may higit sa 76,300 scholars na ang sinanay para sa IT at kaugnay nitong mga industriya (There is also the Industry-Based Training for Work Scholarship Program of TESDA that has more than 76,300 scholars trained for IT and associated industries),” the President added. 

The President meanwhile pointed out that the construction of the CIT building in MSU main campus is part of the government’s comprehensive strategy to invest in the skills of its people and strengthen the foundation of education in the country. 

“Oras na matapos ang proyekto, makikinabang ang mga estudyante at komunidad ng pamantasan sa mas modernong computer training center, bagong teleconferencing at multimedia room at mas maraming silid-aralan at laboratoryo para sa pagtuturo ng information technology (Once the project is completed, students and the communities of the university will benefit from the modernized computer training center, the new teleconferencing and multimedia room and more classrooms and laboratories for teaching information technology),” he added. 

President Aquino said this will correspond to a higher level of training in the field of technology and modern communication as well as new professionals which will open more doors of opportunity for his countrymen. 

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President Aquino leads groundbreaking of College of IT building in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 23 (PIA) --- President Benigno S. Aquino III led yesterday the ceremonial groundbreaking of the College of Information Technology (CIT) building of the Mindanao State University (MSU), here. 

The President was joined by MSU President Macapado Muslim, CHED Commissioner Ruperto Sangalang and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman in the capsule laying rite that paves the way for the construction of the three-storey building. 

“Ang gusaling ito ay tagumpay hindi lamang ng MSU kundi ng buong bayan. Buhat ito ng ating pagbabayanihan at pagkakaisa para isulong ang magandang bukas para sa susunod na henerasyon (The building is not only the success of the MSU but of the entire nation. This is the product of our cooperative endeavor and unity to advance the good future of the next generation),” President Aquino said. 

The President said the project has an allocated budget of P45 million to be taken out from the P2.6 billion budget of MSU for the year 2013. 

Once completed, he said, students and communities of the university will benefit from the modern computer training center, new teleconferencing and multimedia room, and more classrooms and laboratories for teaching information technology which are very important in today’s information age. 

The three-storey building will house classrooms and computer laboratories; computer training center; teleconferencing and multimedia room; server farm; Information Systems, Computer Studies, and Support Services and Training departments; personnel offices; and library for IT books/holdings, among others. 

The construction of the CIT building plays a vital role for MSU’s quest for excellence. It signals the kick-off for the construction of a series of infra facilities development projects to make MSU of global quality by 2020. 

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Lanao del Sur gears up for PNoy’s first visit

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 21 (PIA) -- The entire province is gearing up its preparations for the visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday, April 22. 

The President is expected to arrive at around 10 a.m. at the main campus of the Mindanao State University (MSU) to grace the groundbreaking ceremony of the College of Information Technology (CIT). 

Upon arrival, President Aquino will be assisted by MSU President Macapado Muslim and a representative from the Commission on Higher Education at the groundbreaking activity. 

The building project is designed to improve the college’s capability in delivering its services as the IT service arm of the university. 

After the groundbreaking activity, the President will meet local leaders and the community at the gymnasium of the Provincial Capitol. 

President Aquino’s arrival is his first visit to the city and province since he assumed the highest post in the country in 2010. 

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14 Qur’an readers vie in regional tilt

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 18 (PIA) – Some 14 qari (Qur’an reader) coming from the five provinces and two cities of the Autonomous Region in Muslim (ARMM) will vie for the championship in this year’s Regional Qur’an Reading Competition. 

The competition will be held on April 25 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. 

ARMM Bureau of Cultural Heritage Executive Director Ardan Sali said the champions of the regional competition will win cash prizes and trophies while the other participants will be awarded with certificates of participation. 

This year’s male winner will get the chance to challenge 2012’s defending champion Ibrahim Mutahain of Lamitan City, he said. 

He further said that Hadja Soraida Ampatua of Maguindanao, the region’s female contender during the 38th National Qur’an Reading Competition held last year at the UP Diliman Film Center Auditorium in Quezon City is the reigning national champion which automatically grants the upcoming female winner as the region’s grand champion. 

Now on its 16th year, the Regional Qur’an Reading Competition aims to promote and preserve Islamic values among the people in the ARMM. 

Meanwhile, the competition’s seven-man board of judges or “hakam” will come from each of the five provinces and two cities and will elect among themselves a chairman. 

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, other key officials of the region and invited guests from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) are among those expected to grace the event, Sali added. (ARMMCommGroup/APB/PIA10) 

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Marawi School Division gets thumbs-up from DepEd-ARMM chief

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 15 (PIA) -- The regional secretary of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepED-ARMM) lauded the teachers and pupils under the Marawi City School Division. 

Lawyer Jamar Kulayan, who graced the city’s 33rd founding anniversary on Sunday, said he is proud and impressed by the recent performance of the Marawi City School Division. 

He said Marawi City School Division recorded a high rating in the regional assessment in Science, Mathematics and English. 

Most passers of the National Qualifying Examination for school heads in the region were also from the said division, he added. 

The ARMM Education Secretary, thus, hopes that all the schools division in the ARMM will be like Marawi City School Division. 

It is only in this city and in Lamitan that the ARMM can be proud of in terms of producing competent students, he cited. 

Kulayan meantime assured the locals that the regional government is doing its best to solve the problems including the region’s educational system before the Bangsamoro entity comes in. 

Just this month, DepEd-ARMM started releasing the back pays of public school teachers that have not been paid during the past administrations. 

Although it attracted criticisms, he said what they have done to reform the region’s educational system have also gained respect from constituents. 

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News Feature: Kalilang sa Ranao marks 33rd anniversary of Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 15 (PIA) -- The lone Islamic City in the country marked its 33rd founding anniversary Sunday with a cultural fest called Kalilang (celebration) sa Ranao. 

Gongs and kulintang were resounded as residents wearing colourful Maranao garb and malongs marched to the City Hall Grounds to join the city government in celebrating the richness of Maranao culture and strong history of the city and its people. 

Home to some 180,000 residents, Marawi is the melting pot of the 40 municipalities of Lanao del Sur. It has 96 barangays with Lake Lanao dominating its landscape. 

It is considered as the center of religion, politics and commerce of the Maranaos or lake dwellers. 

The city offers a unique and rich experience from the scenic sight of the mountain across the lake called by locals as “sleeping lady” down to the serene Lake Lanao, to the sound of azan at every nook and corner of the city at prayer times, to the sight of locals, and onward to the academic milieu of Mindanao State University. 

Dansalan, the city’s original name, was explored by the Spaniards as early as 1940. In August 24, 1981, Maranao warriors led by Amai Pakpak routed and defeated the Spanish forces driving them back to Iligan Bay. 

Dansalan was derived from the word ‘dansal’ which means destination point. It was proclaimed as a municipality under the Act of the Moro Province Legislative Council by the American colonial government. 

It was given a charter as a city on August 14, 1940 and subsequently renamed to Marawi in June 16, 1956 through Congressional Amendment of the Charter sponsored by Senator Domocao Alonto. 

Recognizing that 92 percent of its population are Muslims, Marawi was declared as Islamic City on April 15, 1980. (APB/PIA10)

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Hataman says ARMM reform agenda continues to bear fruit

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 14 (PIA) -- The bureaucratic reforms introduced in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) yielded unprecedented savings and have put a stop on influence peddling and other anomalous practices that have come to define ARMM. 

This was emphasized by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman in his presentation during the visit of President Benigno S. Aqino III to Cotabato City, Friday. 

The President made his first ever visit to the seat of the ARMM government to check on the reforms being instituted by his appointed caretakers in the 23-year old regional institution. 

He listened to a 15-minute presentation that highlighted the remarkable performance of the region’s caretaker administration in its 15 months in office. 

During his visit, Hataman provided a rundown of ongoing projects and the overall status of reforming the institution that has been previously dubbed as a “failed experiment” by President Aquino. 

The regional caretaker cited the savings generated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region from its 2012 budget, which amounts to P136.362 million, through fiscal prudence and the enforcement of open and competitive biddings. 

The savings were not pocketed, Hataman said, but used by the agency to procure 13 heavy equipment and 15 motor vehicles and nine survey instruments. 

DPWH-ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain said the acquisition was first of its kind in 22 years. 

“Wala ng palakasan, wala ng lagayan (No more influence peddling, no more bribery),” he said. 

Hataman said the regional government no longer allows the hiring and promotion of employees based on influence or reasons that do not warrant their qualification. 

A special screening board has been set up to oversee hiring and promotion in the regional government, he said. 

Hataman further said the reforms they started are primarily meant to curb corruptions in the region, but, apparently, they have also caused the optimization of government funds. 

“The president supported the deferment of the scheduled ARMM elections in 2011 to make way for needed reforms in the ARMM. Now, key improvements are starting to take hold a year and three months after his appointed officials took on the regional leadership,” a civil society organization (CSO) worker observed. (ARMM Comm Group/PIA10)

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Marawi City mayoralty bets sign peace accord

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 5 (PIA) -- The four mayoralty candidates here signed a peace covenant to affirm their commitment to a peaceful and clean elections this May 2013 polls.

Re-electionist Fahad Salic led incumbent vice-mayor Noryasmin Calandada and the other two mayoralty aspirants, Acmad Maruhom and Punduma Sani, in signing the covenant. 

As part of the agreement, each of the aspirants vowed to settle their differences in the past and not to cause anything that will affect the lives, properties, and dignity of their relatives, supporters and the general public. 

They also pledged to uphold the rule of law and not to resort to any forms of violence and cheating during the elections. 

The signing of the peace covenant, held yesterday at Plaza Cabili in Barangay Banggolo, was initiated by Task Force Kasalimbago to ensure safe, fair, and peaceful elections. 

Task Force Kasalimbago is composed of the Commission on Elections, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Department of Education and civil society organizations. 

The covenant signing was also witnessed by some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (MILF-AHJAG), Bangsamoro Development Authority, and International Monitoring Team (IMT). 

Also present were mayoralty bets in Kapai, Marantao, Saguiaran, Piagapo and Tagoloan towns who also signed a separate peace covenant. 

Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, meanwhile assured the public that he will not allow any soldier to be involved in election irregularities. 

Lucero, who also chaired the Task Force Kasalimbago, reiterated that he will not push his soldiers to harm’s way just to guard cheating during the elections. 

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DOH-ARMM deploys 68 additional midwives in Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) will deploy 68 additional midwives to different communities in the province this month as part of its Midwives in Every Community in ARMM (MECA) project. 

ARMM Health Secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding said the MECA project is designed to help address maternal and infant care in some of the depressed and far-flung areas in ARMM. 

The midwives will help educate women on reproductive health and keep track of and evaluate all other important health concerns. 

The midwives are also trained to cater to basic health concerns in their communities apart from attending to the health needs of pregnant women and newborns, Sinolinding said. 

To date, the DOH-ARMM has already hired and deployed more than 300 midwives to communities in the five component province and two cities of the region. 

“We will continue to hire registered midwives to supply the growing necessities on prenatal care and reproductive health in the succeeding years,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Sinolinding encouraged the midwives to be more focused on their job because they will be acting like doctors in their assigned areas. 

He also emphasized the importance of time management and dedication to their work as key factors to becoming excellent midwives.(ARMMCommGroup/PIA10)

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