ARMM to construct women peace, training centers

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 22 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will set up a total of six women peace and training centers, one in each of the region’s five component provinces and at its seat in Cotabato City.

The peace and training center is intended to cater to all the women in the region especially those affected by conflict and other related issues.

It will provide various materials on gender and development and can serve as safe house for victims of violence against women. 

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said the women peace center is aimed not only to provide capacity building on gender and development but to also to train women to be economically empowered.

“We need to capacitate and train women to go beyond poverty level,” Alamia said.

All six centers will be funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) with other forms of assistance from ARMM’s Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) and Department of Public Works and Highways.

It is in line with the government’s Localizing the National Action Plan (LNAP) on women, peace and security program in the ARMM, which targets to bring national programs to grassroots level, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Sittie Jehan Mutin, RCBW-ARMM chairperson, said that by 2015 the six women peace centers will be completed and operational. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM

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Children in a remote village receive school supplies from ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 8 (PIA) -- Close to 400 pupils in Lower Baguinged Elementary School in barangay Talitay, Datu Montawal town, Maguindanao received bags and other school supplies from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Sunday, December 7.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, together with the team from Proud Emergent and Empowered Pinoy (PEEP), a people’s organization, turned over learning materials and ten bancas as means of transport for pupils who live in communities along the riverbank and in the Liguasan Marsh.

The school, which is around 20 meters away from the Rio de Grande river bank, is regularly flooded. 

Alamia said the regional government will look into ways to assist the school.

“The community and our teaching force are very happy to receive this assistance. We are thankful that ARMM officials have finally visited the place and see the condition of our school and children,” said Fatima Abubacar, head teacher.

Abubacar said the children continue to attend school despite the perennial flooding they experience.

“The support of their parents serves as inspiration to our pupils to do well in their studies despite the tough situation they face,” Abubacar added.

Alamia meanwhile urged the local government to send proposals to avail of assistance from programs like the Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Security and Synergy (HELPS), a flagship program of the Hataman administration. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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19 barangays in ARMM receive medicines, birthing equipment

MARAWI CITY, December 5 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), through its Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (HELPS) program, recently distributed  supplies of medicines and birthing equipment to 19 barangays in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said the medical supplies will be provided to the birthing clinics or health facilities located in outlying barangays in the region to help “decrease maternal and infant deaths.”

ARMM HELPS is the region’s banner program that aims to bring a convergence of government services closer to constituents through the delivery of integrated and enhanced interventions in identified barangays.

Among the nine recipients in Maguindanao is the highland community of Barangay Tubak in Ampatuan town. Its household population of 516, composed mainly of the Dulangan-Manobo tribe, is about four hours away from the nearest health facility.

Barangay captain Mario Kadingilan said it is the first time in the 50-year history of their barangay to receive government projects being provided by ARMM HELPS.

He said the health facility, supplies and equipment given by ARMM mean they no longer have to travel for hours to seek medical attention.

Anwar Upahm, ARMM HELPS project manager, said 10 other barangays in Lanao del Sur also received similar medical supplies and the same will be distributed to recipient communities in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Taw-Tawi.

He said the health component package of ARMM HELPS to the 53 barangays across the region includes construction of health or birthing facilities and the provision of medical supplies and equipment. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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Govt officials, CSO's hail Hataman's SORA

MARAWI CITY, December 3 (PIA) - Government officials and civil society organizations hailed the second State of the Region Address (SORA) of Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for its substance and concrete indicators of reform happening in the region.  

Father Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) lauded Hataman for his passion to bring the people to a unified direction through a solid roadmap.

“The SORA was very impressive. Pinakita niya kung saan siya nagsimula, kung ano ang pinatutupad, at kung saan siya patutungo. Yun ang pinakaimportante,”Fr. Mercado said, underscoring the concrete milestones achieved under the Hataman administration.

 

Gauging the Hataman leadership on a performance scale of one to 10, Fr. Mercado said Hataman deserves a 9.

 

Guiamel Alim, chairperson of the Consortium of the Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), also commends Hataman for introducing reform and building the foundation for change in ARMM governance. 

“The social contract with the civil society is continuing. We laud the Hataman administration for the instituted reforms,” Alim said.

Meanwhile, Mohaquer Iqbal, information chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said “all systems go” for the establishment of the Bangsamoro new political entity.

“We will build on the gains of the ARMM under Hataman, then, we’ll see to it, that when the Bangsamoro is established, there will be much improvement as far as the life of our people is concerned,” said Iqbal.

On the challenge posted to continue the reforms, Iqbal said “that remains a challenge to cope with,” affirming that the ARMM has moved forward with the Hataman leadership.

Secretary Teresita “Ging” Quintos-Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process said the ARMM administration records and accomplishments attest that Hataman has carried the responsibilities expected of him.

“Masaya talaga tayo na itong term ni Regional Governor Hataman from the time na na-appoint sya na OIC and his elective term na iyun na nga ang ginagawa, ang maitawid ng husto ang ARMM doon sa inaasam-asam na Bangsamoro,” she said.

Deles, together with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense, were among the national dignitaries present during the delivery of the SORA. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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ARMM cooperatives can now avail Pag-IBIG loans

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Dec. 1 (PIA) - Members of registered cooperatives in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) can now avail programs and benefits from the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG Fund.

 

This was made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) inked on Friday, November 28, by ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Pag-IBIG Fund’s Cotabato office.

"Ito ay bahagi ng pagtutulak sa dapat ma-avail na services ng mga cooperators tungo sa pagkamit ng ARMM na masagana’t mapayapa (This is part of our efforts to provide cooperators the services they should be able to avail towards a prosperous and peaceful ARMM.)," said CDA-ARMM Administrator Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr.

Members of the six thousand registered cooperatives all over ARMM will now be registered to Pag-IBIG and be able to avail of its services.

 

Services include provident savings and various loan schemes like calamity, salary and housing and others.

"I commend the efforts of the present administration for always aiming to improve the lives of their constituents," said Manolito Olegario, Pag-Ibig Southwestern Mindanao Area Head.

He said the agreement signed will not be affected even if ARMM will be replaced by Bangsamoro government.

"All our efforts are geared towards the coming of Bangsamoro," Ladayo added. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10

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Malabang, Lanao del Sur receives P3.5M from DOLE TUPAD Project

MALABANG, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 21 --- The Department of Labor and Employment- X (DOLE-X) allocated the amount of P3,500.000.00 for the implementation of Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program/Emergency Employment Program (EPP) in the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

The project under the special project fund of DOLE and coordinated with the 2nd District of the province of Lanao del Sur was implemented for the less fortunate and marginalized constituents in the 10 identified barangays in the Municipality of Malabang, Lanao del Sur under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Omensalem S. Balindong. This is part of the 2nd District of the Province of Lanao del Sur, under Congressman Pangalian Balindong.

Series of meetings, caucus, and follow-up were done in the DOLE Central Office, DOLE Regional Office X and DOLE Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office as well as the LGU-Malabang. After weeks of validation made by the DOLE- X Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office in Iligan City, the project formally started on September 1, 2014 to October 9, 2014. Meanwhile, the orientation was conducted on September 3, 2014 at the Rancho Building, Multi-Function Hall, Barangay Campo Muslim, Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

Remegio Cabañog, DOLE-X Lanao del Norte Provincial Head said, “The aim of the DOLE TUPAD Project is to help the less fortunate/marginalized constituents in their daily financial needs for a period of 29 days emergency employment." It was implemented in the 10 barangays of the municipality with different type of works such as de-clogging of canals, street cleaning, repair of barangay roads, facilities and vegetation, clearing of the water and spring in barangay Bacayawan and Campo Muslim.”

Vice Mayor Anwar M. Balindong, representing the Local Chief Executive Mayor Omensalem S. Balindong, expressed appreciation to DOLE-X, through the provision of protective personal equipment (PPEs), t- shirts, hand gloves, and masks for the 466 beneficiaries. Balindong also informed that for their counterpart, they have provided bolos, rakes, shovels, wheel barrows, and hats to the respective beneficiaries.

“Our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the DOLE family for the timely project that you have shared to us that helped a lot of our constituents in providing emergency employment. We are hoping that this would not be the end of your help but rather it would be the beginning of much more productive projects,” mayor Balindong said. (Joseph Nathan J. Fabrega/DOLE-X)

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LGU Balindong launches website to boost transparency

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) --- The local government unit (LGU) of Balindong has launched its official website in an effort promote transparency and improve its relationship with its constituents.

The website, www.watobalindong.gov.ph, aims to provide quick access to information about the LGU’s programs and services.

 “For a term and a year now, our administration has been providing for the needs of our constituents, be it hard or soft projects. We have been catering to their priority needs but still many are not aware of our efforts due to poor information dissemination,” said municipal mayor Raysalam Bagul-Mangondato during the launching held at the municipal hall on Monday, November 17.

She said the website will serve as a communication tool as it allows the public to be informed about what the local government is doing and track the implementation of its various programs and projects.

The website contains valuable information about Balindong including financial reports, budget allocations, and utilization of funds.

It also showcases the rich historical background of the municipality, its socio-demographic profile, local officials, department heads, and barangay officials, including the history of its 38 barangays.

It will be managed and regularly updated by the Municipal Information Office.

Aisah Ponce Macabuat, municipal information officer, said the website contains a “Contact Us” window for those who want to get in touch with the local government.

So visit www.watobalindong.gov.ph and take a look of what’s in store for you. (APB/PIA-10)

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48 ARMM housing units ready for occupancy

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) --- Forty-eight housing units have been completed and are ready for occupancy by qualified applicants at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Resettlement/Housing Project site located at Barangay Capiton in  Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman and Regional Housing and Rural Development Authority Chair Kanggu M. Umal led the ribbon cutting and open house declaration of the completed units in a ceremony held at the site on November 18.

The 2.1-hectare resettlement area is designed for the construction of 96 housing units, exclusively for the rank and file personnel of the ARMM.

 “We will ensure that only the rank and file employees of the ARMM will benefit from this housing program. This has been previously approved by a Board Resolution,” Hataman said.

The 44-square meter house structure stands on a 140 square meter lot, which is only a few meters away from the Capiton highway providing easy access to the recipient-employees for an eight kilometer drive or ride towards the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

Each housing unit, with an aggregate cost estimate of P700,000 , consists of three bedrooms, a living room, dining area, kitchen, shared toilet and bath, and a carport.

Concrete road network and canals and provision of  power and water supply will complete the amenities afforded for comfortable living.

 “This housing project, aspired by the ARMM workforce for decades now, has been realized only during the Hataman administration,” Umal said.

The week-long open house for the completed units has been set as part of the 25th commemoration of the ARMM Founding Anniversary for ocular visit by interested tenants.

Also aligned with the celebration, Hataman said the initial units will be awarded to two ARMM active personnel with the longest service record rendered in the autonomous region. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10) 

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