Lanao del Sur dad backs Bangsamoro Basic Law

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 29 (PIA) --- Provincial Governor Mamintal ‘Bombit’ Alonto Adiong Jr. reiterated his full support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

"Ang Lanao del Sur ay 100 percent na sumusuporta sa pagpasa ng Bangsamoro Basic Law,” he said during the Provincial Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) on the BBL held Wednesday, January 28, at the Provincial Capitol, this city.

He urged his constituents to remain calm and optimistic while maintaining their support for the BBL.

"Maging mahinahon po tayo at wag basta maniniwala sa mga hakahaka at hintayin natin ang imbestigasyon sa nangyari sa Maguindanao. Ayaw nating mangyari ito sa probinsya kaya ang Lanao del Sur ay sumusuporta na maisulong ang usapang pangkapayapaan,” (Let us be patient and wait for the results of investigation in Mindanao. Do not be misled by wrong information. We do not want this to happen here that is why Lanao del Sur is supportive to the peace process), he said.

He also requested Congress not to withdraw their support to the BBL citing the need for long lasting peace here in Mindanao.

The provincial IEC on the BBL was attended by local chief executives in the province.

Atty. Mohammad Al Julkipli, member of GPH-MILF Legal Team, discussed to to the attendees the salient features of the proposed BBL and some of the frequently asked questions on the proposed BBL.

He said the primary goal of the provincial IEC is to inform the people with the right and correct information on the proposed BBL.

He thus appealed to the attendees to let their constituents be aware and informed of the BBL to avoid misconceptions. “The decision is theirs, whether to vote yes or no, based on their judgment and the correct information they got,” he added.

He also clarified that the government is still committed to pursue the path of peace.

Hindi po totoo na ibinasura na ang BBL dahil sa nangyari sa Mamasapano, kundi pansamantala pong sinuspinde ito pending investigation, (It is not true that the BBL was dismissed because of what happened in Mamasapano. It was only temporarily suspended pending investigation of the incident), he said. (APB/JNY/PIA-10)

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GSIS holds dialogue with stakeholders in Lanao provinces

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 28 (PIA) --- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is now more consultative, transparent and member-focused.

This was the message of GSIS President and General Manager (PGM) Robert G. Vergara during the GSIS Stakeholder’s Dialogue held Tuesday, January 27, at Plaza Alemania Hotel in Iligan City.

Vergara and other GSIS officials visited Lanao area to inform its members and pensioners on the initiatives they implemented to bring their services closer to the people.

In his report to the stakeholders, Vergara outlined the many accomplishments of the state pension fund such as the improvement in posting and collection efficiency rate and the reduction in volume of inaccurate statements of accounts, among others.

He also disclosed that more than 900 GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) Kiosks were deployed and installed in DepEd division offices of DepEd, provincial capitols, city halls and cluster of municipalities and even in some malls to better serve members and pensioners.

Mayor Nashiba G. Sumagayan of Taraka, this province, was among the participants of the stakeholder’s dialogue.

She raised if there's a possibility of condoning the arrears of members in Taraka municipality given that the previous administration left them no records to trace. She made it clear, however, that her current administration is remitting every month.

Other local government representatives also raised the same issue while some requested the state pension fund chief to help in making the retirement age earlier at 55 instead of 60.

But PGM Vergara clarified that they do not have the authority to condone arrears or change the retirement age. But they will raise the concerns to the GSIS Board of Trustees.

He also urged the active members, pensioners and stakeholders to participate in other GSIS dialogues and public sector meetings for awareness and updates.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Jason C. Teng, GSIS Acting Vice President for Mindanao Area, said that they are taking seriously all the concerns raised in every dialogue sessions that they conducted. "We took down notes on your concerns, suggestions, feedbacks and issues. We will study it and then find solutions", he said. (Johaniah N. Yusoph/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to mark World Hijab Day with symbolic walk of women in hijab in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 27 (PIA) --- At least 1,000 women wearing hijab will walk the streets of Marawi City this Sunday, February 1, to mark the celebration of the 2015 World Hijab Day in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 

The event is being organized by ARMM’s Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) to amplify the message of religious tolerance and understanding.

Sittie Jehanne Mutin, RCBW regional chairperson, said they expect women from all sectors to join the celebration and help “draw attention to the need for women to participate in the political and economic development of Bangsamoro.”

She said participants will come from different parts of the region, regardless of religion and social standing.

Hijab refers to the veil and the dress that covers the entire body that most Muslim women wear.

Mutin said this year’s celebration will carry the theme Hijab WALK (Women’s Access to Livelihood ay Karapatan), which is aimed at emphasizing women’s important role in society and promoting their right to decent livelihood, development, justice and empowerment.

Last year, ARMM marked the World Hijab Day celebration with the participation of more than 500 women in hijab in a fun run. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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Hataman calls on stakeholders to guard gains in the peace process

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 27 (PIA) – Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has called on all stakeholders not to let Sunday’s violent incident in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao derail the ongoing peace process.

The incident, involving elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), claimed the lives of 49 police officers belonging to the elite Special Action Forces (SAF) and five MILF fighters.

Hataman called on both government and the MILF not to let the case affect the ongoing peace process.

He also cautioned that detractors might use the incident for their own agenda and try to sow discord and derail the peace process.

“As stakeholders, we must guard the gains in the ongoing peace process,” he said.

Hataman said even the MILF concurs that the operation launched by the SAF team was legitimate.

He and Secretary of Interior and Local Government Manuel Roxas called the incident a “misencounter.”

The misencounter, according to Roxas, happened when the SAF team maneuvered inadvertently to an area controlled by the MILF without advance coordination after deciding to withdraw their action to arrest Usman and Marwan.

He believes the incident is the “single largest loss of life in the security sector.”

At present, a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been organized to investigate the incident. A debriefing was also conducted to the other operatives involved.

For its part, the ARMM government through its Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) is preparing to send in 600 packs of relief goods to assist around 563 families that have been displaced due to the conflict.

The affected families are residents of barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano. They immediately proceeded to the nearby evacuation center located at barangay Daladap Madrasah after the confrontation. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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Healthy lifestyle is the best way to combat cancer

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 21 (PIA) -- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in reducing one’s risk of developing cancer.

Bernadine Saber, cancer control program coordinator of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said in Ozor ka, Ranao! radio program that cancer can be prevented by avoiding the risk factors such smoking, alcohol drinking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet.

Cancer is caused by abnormal cells that grow quickly and these factors greatly affect our cells growth, she said.

She also urged smokers to stop smoking and alcohol drinkers to limit the amount of alcohol they take.

She further reminded everyone to eat nutritious foods and maintain a balanced-diet.

Obesity and high intake of fatty foods increased the risk of developing cancer, she cautioned.

Saber also encouraged the public to regularly consult a physician and undergo screening tests.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), cancer is predicted to be an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in the next few decades in all the regions of the world. And early detection and healthy lifestyle are the best ways to combat the dreaded disease.

Ozor ka, Ranao! is a one-hour radio program of the Philippine Information Agency and Radyo ng Bayan that aims to provide information and updates on various efforts and programs of the government to bring development and prosperity in the province. It is aired live over DxSO Radyo ng Bayan Marawi from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., every first and third Monday of the month. (APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to host DepEd’s national management committee meeting

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 20 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will host the annual national management committee meeting of the Department of Education (DepEd) this February in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi province.

ARMM Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan said this would be the first time for the region to host DepEd’s national management committee meeting.

He said it shows the support and importance that the national leadership places in ARMM especially in improving education and literacy in the region.

It can be recalled that Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro marked the opening of classes for school year 2014-2015 by leading the annual Brigada Eskwela in a school in Maguindanao, another component province of ARMM.

The meeting scheduled on 23 February will draw together key officials of the department including Secretary Luistro and the directors from other regional offices, according to Kulayan.

He said matters relating to the government’s existing programs and policies on education will be tackled.

The event also presents the working government of ARMM the opportunity to showcase its accomplishments in the area of education which include the elimination of ghost employees and students, enforcement of a transparent and competitive hiring process for teachers and the introduction of innovative programs that bring basic education to children in hard to reach communities.

Mubarak Pandi, DepEd-ARMM information officer, said preparations are now underway for the management committee meeting.

He said they’re also hoping to bring to the attention of national officials the education needs of the region. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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ARMM launches BRIDGE program to address local governance, community empowerment

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 19 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) launched a new program to help strengthen local governance and empower communities in the region.

The program dubbed Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (BRIDGE) is a follow up to the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP), which ended last year, and complements the existing Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (HELPS) program of the regional government.

ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman said the program was patterned after the National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) of the national government. NCDDP covers 851 municipalities nationwide but does not include ARMM.

He said ARMM-BRIDGE was conceptualized last year and will begin its initiatory phase this month.

For this year, the program will initially cover 45 barangays in 15 target municipalities in the five component provinces of the region with a budget of P120 million.

Target areas include the municipalities of Balindong, Taraka and Lumba-Bayabao in Lanao del Sur province; Barira, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, and Matanog in Maguindanao province; Sumisip, Tipo-tipo and Tuburan in Basilan province; Pandami, Parang and Talipao in Sulu province; and Sibutu, Simunul and Tandubas in Tawi-Tawi province.

Other municipalities will eventually be included. A total budget of P22 billion is needed to realize the full-blown implementation of the program.

ARMM executive secretary Laisa Alamia said program aims to improve local governance and strengthen partnership between and within the target communities.

She said the composition of the project management office of ASFP has been tasked to handle the initial stage of the program, which includes training and capacity-building and technical assistance on the preparation of Municipal Development Plan (MDP).

Alamia said the MDP and the performance of their local chief executives and key stakeholders of the target municipalities will undergo review and assessment before they can fully qualify for the program.  (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to reopen mock cultural villages

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 18 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will reopen the mock cultural villages inside the regional government’s compound in Cotabato City this February.

The five mock villages, which represent the component provinces of ARMM, were put up in November last year as part of the region’s 25th founding anniversary celebration. They offered visitors the chance to experience the culture, cuisine and sights in each province.

A series of competitions also pitted the villages against one another with the Sulu mock village emerging as the overall champion.

Activities in the villages ended following the culmination of the anniversary celebration in December last year when the structures were supposed to have been taken down.

But ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said there is a strong public clamor to sustain the presence of the mock villages, which have attracted at least 30,000 visitors during their more than a month running.

Alamia said the regional government does not have the necessary fund to revive the villages and will be inviting partners from the private sector to take part.

She said the mock villages proved to be viable tourist attraction and offer a good business opportunity. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to draw in more than P1B investments in 2015

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is expecting to draw in more than P1 billion total investments this year.

Ishak Mastura, chairman and managing head of the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) – ARMM, said the increasing trend in investment in the region is attributable to the favorable outcome of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Oil depot, mining, biomass power generation, and agriculture related products such as banana, oil palm products and buckwheat plantations are the major investments expected to come into the region this 2015, mostly coming from local business players.

Mastura said that peace and security is the first major reason why investors are encouraged to invest in ARMM.

“The peace process sends the positive message that we are on the mend; that we are on (our way) towards stability that will allow investments to be sustained,” he said.

He also said that the good governance manifested by the working government of ARMM is another reason why the region ARMM became “investor-friendly.”

ARMM, according to him, is now proactive in marketing the region and catering to the needs of prospective investors.

Mastura is optimistic that the transition to the new political entity will serve as gateway to even more investors into the region in the years ahead. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is expecting to draw in more than P1 billion total investments this year.

Ishak Mastura, chairman and managing head of the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) – ARMM, said the increasing trend in investment in the region is attributable to the favorable outcome of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Oil depot, mining, biomass power generation, and agriculture related products such as banana, oil palm products and buckwheat plantations are the major investments expected to come into the region this 2015, mostly coming from local business players.

Mastura said that peace and security is the first major reason why investors are encouraged to invest in ARMM.

“The peace process sends the positive message that we are on the mend; that we are on (our way) towards stability that will allow investments to be sustained,” he said.

He also said that the good governance manifested by the working government of ARMM is another reason why the region ARMM became “investor-friendly.”
ARMM, according to him, is now proactive in marketing the region and catering to the needs of prospective investors.

Mastura is optimistic that the transition to the new political entity will serve as gateway to even more investors into the region in the years ahead. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1521421368838/armm-to-draw-in-more-than-p1b-investments-in-2015#sthash.7Du83fbM.dpuf

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Four coops in Lanao del Sur receive farm, livelihood equipment from PAMANA-ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 15 (PIA) ---Four cooperatives in the province has received farm and livelihood equipment from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The equipment, which included four units of 6-wheeler hauler trucks and 35 units of sewing machines, were awarded to the respective cooperatives of four Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities in the province on January 9.

The beneficiaries included the Darussalam Producer Cooperative of barangay Manalucon Talub in Masiu town; Unified Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. of barangay Cabasaran, Madamba town; and, in the town of Bayang, the Padang Karbala Farmers and Marketing Cooperative Inc. of Barangay Rantian and RSSRC Agricultural Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. of barangay Pandapatan Bayang.

“Ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking items na madedeliver natin para sa MNLF communities, (this is one of the biggest items that we can deliver to the MNLF communities)” said Dong Anayatin, PAMANA-ARMM program manager.

He said it is part of the first batch of materials that will be awarded to beneficiaries.

“Ito ay napakaganda. Napakalaki ng maitutulong nito sa amin. ‘Yung hauler trucks ay para sa mga magsasaka at ’yung sewing machines ay para sa mga kababaihan,” (This is very useful and of big help to us. The hauler trucks are for farmers while the sewing machines are for women), said AbdulJabbar “Africa” Mamoclo, chairman of Darussalam Producer Cooperative.

He said the equipment will facilitate the transport and delivery of agricultural products and the sewing machine will help women in their community start a livelihood.

The ceremonial turn-over, held at ARMM’s seat in Cotabato City, was formally led by Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, Dong Anayatin, and Rasol Mitmug, the regional governor’s chief of staff. (APB/BPI-ARMM/PIA-10

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ARMM to pass environmental code

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 15 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is working on an environmental code for the region that includes a pro-people mining law, an environment official said.

“Itong mining law na ginagawa namin napakaganda kasi para sa masa,” (the mining law that we are formulating is very good for the masses), said Secretary Kahal Kedtag of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-ARMM.

He lauded the participation of environment groups and civil society organizations led by Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado of the Foundation for Philippine Environment in a three-day consultative review on the mining law draft.

He said the grassroots consultation and a multipartite dialogue that have been conducted ensure community participation in the drafting of the bill.

Among the civil society groups who took part in the review were the Tawi-Tawi Alliance of CSOs, the Nagdilaab Foundation, SALLAM, and the Foundation for Philippine Environment.

“The draft is the result of our consultations. Our goal is to introduce a law for responsible mining in ARMM,” Kedtag said.

He said Assemblyman Kahar Ibay will sponsor the proposed legislation at the Regional Legislative Assembly.

The mining industry in ARMM had posted revenue of around P140 million in regional wealth tax from the 2012 to the 1st semester of 2014. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10

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Four officials take up new positions in ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- Four officials take up new positions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) starting this month as result of career movements in the regional bureaucracy.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, administered the official installation of Secretary Amihilda Sangcopan of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Deputy Executive Secretary John Louie Balagot and Rasol Mitmug Jr., chief of staff of the regional governor’s office, on Monday, January 12, at the Office of the Bangsamoro People in Cotabato City.

Alamia had earlier installed the new administrator of ARMM’s Cooperative Development Authority – Dimnatang Radia.

She said the movement in the cabinet is not a revamp, but the result of the career transfers of some of the region’s officials.

Abdulrashid Ladayo Sr., former CDA-ARMM administrator, has accepted a promotion at the National Food Authority 12 office, while the former officer-in-charge of DAR-ARMM, Macmillan Lucman, has been appointed as provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government - Lanao del Sur.

Alamia said the newly installed officials are expected to continue the reform initiatives of their predecessors and contribute to the preparation for a smooth transition to the Bangsamoro government.

She also urged employees to give their full support and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the newly installed officials vow to give their best performance and help in the transformation of ARMM into a working government.

Sangcopan said her goal is to strengthen the governance performance of DAR-ARMM and prepare it for the transition.

She said her first job in the government was at the agrarian department.

Mitmug, former speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly and deputy executive secretary, took over Sangcopan’s post as chief of staff.

“Bilang bagong chief of staff, titingnan natin na maging mabuti ang kalagayan ng mga empleyado natin, na maibigay natin ng tama ang mga agenda ng regional governor, at maisagawa yung mga required na mga aktibidades tulad ng Gender and Awareness Development o GAD,” he said.

Balagot, Governor Hataman’s former executive assistant, said he will be handling special programs of the ARMM, as the new deputy executive secretary. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10

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Paper boat race upholds preservation of Lake Lanao

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Lanao dwellers gathered as early as 7:00 a.m., in barangay Raya Madaya, this city, to participate in a race to conserve one of the ancient lakes in the world--the Lake Lanao.

The Paper Boat Race dubbed RANOW was organized by the city’s youngest barangay chair, Asmenah Manabilang Barambangan, to uphold and raise public awareness for the preservation and protection of Lake Lanao.

"This is one of our ways to extend our message to the public to protect Lake Lanao by not dumping wastes on it, among others," she said.

The cause was supported by the young environmentalists and other environmental advocates, as well as local governments including the city, provincial, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government.

Junainah Azima Raniai of barangay Matampay witnessed the event and commended all the people who worked behind the cause.

"This is really great! Let us be one in protecting our lake, our land. I hope we have many activities like this." she said.

The event was also aimed to obtain a Guiness world record on largest paper boat floating.

According to the organizers, more than 1,300 paper boats were set afloat on the lake during the event.

Barambangan emphasized that more than wanting to establish a record, the event aspires to draw world attention on saving Ranao (the lake). (Johaniah N. Yusoph/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM conducts work and financial plan preparation confab

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 9 (PIA) --- The Regional Budget ad Management Office of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBMO-ARMM) conducted a one-day workshop on work and financial plan preparation for planning and budget officers of locally funded agencies in the region.

The activity was aimed at capacitating key personnel on proper budget implementation through a detailed work plan.


 Mylene Macusang, RBMO executive director, said the workshop was intended to capacitate finance personnel to proper utilization of resources through efficient budget execution.

She said her office will closely monitor the compliance of every agency to the work and financial plan they submitted.

“The work and financial plan is the blueprint which will serve as gauge of their performance,” she said.

Last year, RBMO launched a computerized system dubbed e-RBMO to fast track transactions and better serve its clientele.

It is expected to be fully operational on the first quarter of this year.

“We are enhancing our system to safeguard our resources, this is part of our preparations for the transition (to the Bangsamoro),” she said.

The agency has been cited for its exemplary performance by the working government of ARMM during the region’s 25th founding anniversary celebration in December last year. (Bureau of Public Information/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to put up 24/7 emergency OPCEN anew

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 8 (PIA) ---  The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will establish another 24/7 Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART) operation center this year at the region’s seat in Cotabato City.

The 500 square meter operation center including its facilities and equipment will be worth P100 million, said ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia.

She said the ARMM-HEART 24/7 operation center will be the nerve center of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) operations.

It will primarily cater the constituents of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi province affected by armed conflict and natural disasters.

In 2014, the ARMM response team delivered a total of about 18,000 food packs to flood victims and catered 4,234 families affected by armed conflicts in the provinces of Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan.

ARMM-HEART also monitored the deportees from Sabah, Malaysia and conducted several trainings to capacitate the personnel and rescue team.

Furthermore, it was among the emergency response groups that immediately responded to the relief and emergency needs of families affected by typhoon Yolanda in Tolosa, Leyte and by the Zamboanga siege in 2013.

While the team continues to strengthen its partnership with non-government organizations that include different humanitarian agencies of the United Nations and civil society organizations, Alamia is urging local government units in the ARMM to be the front line emergency response team in their respective areas. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

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