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.

0

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)

0

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)

0

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.

0

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.

0

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.

0

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.

0

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.

0

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.

0