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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ARMM tribal villages open at the ORG complex

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 18 (PIA) --- The five cultural villages representing the component provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was opened today to the general public inside the ORG Compound in Cotabato City following its unveiling ceremony.

Dubbed as Pakaradjaan sa ARMM 2014, the display of mock-up traditional ARMM communities provides an avenue for visitors to enjoy the panoramic setting that resembles the rich culture of the five provinces of the ARMM. It is part of the month-long celebration of the 25th Founding Anniversary of the autonomous region.

Each cultural village features its traditional living, heritage and the arts, the people, and products depicted on a landscape consistent with the tribal communities in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi provinces.

A selection of Moro dishes and delicacies are also on display for sale.

Unveiled by Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, the villages also offer to visitors that feel of traditional life and the opportunity to purchase authentic products from the different areas in the ARMM.

“We are inviting our constituents in the ARMM and residents of Cotabato City to visit our tribal villages that showcase the rich cultural heritage of our five provinces here in the ARMM,” said Hataman.

The village exhibit will run for a month until the closing ceremony which will be held simultaneous with the celebration of Shariff Kabunsuan Day on December 19.

The autonomous region, with a population of over four million vastly of Moro descent, is comprised of the major ethno-linguistic tribes of the Tausug, Maguindaoan, Maranao, Iranun, Sama, and Yakan.

The creation of the ARMM was an offshoot of the years of peace negotiations between the national government and the Moro National Liberation Front. The current development on the peace process, pending ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, will abolish the ARMM to be replaced by a new political entity by 2016.

A distinct highlight for the concluding celebration of the quarter of its century existence, the regional government aims to provide a festive final commemoration before it bows down to give way to the smooth transition for the incoming Bangsamoro Entity. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10

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ARMM sports `peacetivities’ kick off with a fun-run

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 18 (PIA) --- Personnel from different departments of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) kicked off early Monday morning, November 17, the regional government’s 25th Foundation Anniversary sports festival with a fun-run. led by the Regional Sports Coordinating Office (RSCO).

Led by the Regional Sports Coordinating Office (RSCO), the three-kilometer run for men and two-kilometer for women were spearheaded by Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman and other cabinet officials.

Participated by hundreds of runners and sports enthusiasts, the activity caps the beginning of the inter-agency cluster competition dubbed as Pakaradjaan sa ARMM 2014.

The yearly sports “peacetivities” highlight team sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, lawn-tennis, table tennis, and dart, among others. Board games like chess and scrabble will also be played in line with the sports fest.

The Regional Governor Open Basketball Cup will highlight the ball games and is expected to draw a crowd of  fans to witness the star-studded event.

“This sports festival is aimed to provide amusement in a way to further foster unity among our work force now that a new political entity will be replacing the ARMM and this anniversary will be our last,” Hataman said.

“We have two major reasons to celebrate. First is the quarter of existence for the ARMM, and second is the realization of the peace aspiration of the Bangsamoro that will give way to the creation of the new Bangsamoro entity,” he added.

The sports competition will bolster solidarity and camaraderie of the ARMM work force and provide a setting for personnel to unwind from the usual office routines.

The ARMM sport peacetivities, anticipated to provide cheers and entertainment, is a yearly activity featured on the month-long anniversary celebration of the autonomous region.

Prizes and trophies are at stake for emerging victors in the different sports categories which will be awarded during the culmination of the month-long affair. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10

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