DOH-ARMM launches Violence and Injury Prevention Alliance

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 30 (PIA) --- The Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has launched violence and injuries in the region.

Abdulhalik Kasim, MD, DOH-ARMM assistant secretary, said the VIPA under the national government’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) aims at reducing mortality, morbidity, and disability due to violence and injuries.

“Since the implementation of the program needs support from various stakeholders, foremost of which are the local government units (LGUs), there is a need to organize an alliance,” Assistant Secretary Kasim said.

The VIPP also seeks to enhance the capacity of the regional offices, LGUs, and other stakeholders as well as strengthen collaboration with them for this cause.

Nearly 50 officials from Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine National Police, employees from ARMM line agencies, and workers from health and non-government organizations attended the launching event.

The VIPP is the country’s adapted policy in response to WHO’s call for member states to develop measures to prevent injuries and violence. WHO has recommended that such policies, strategies and plans of action be concrete and contain objectives, priorities, timetables, and mechanisms for evaluation.

In a 2011 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), injuries were reported to be responsible for 9 percent of all deaths with road traffic injuries claiming nearly 3,500 lives each day, making it among the 10 leading causes of mortality globally.

In ARMM, injuries of all forms ranked third in terms of morbidity, and injuries and accidents ranked fourth in terms of mortality in 2014.

Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, VIPP coordinator at DOH-Region VI, said pre-hospital emergency medical service system will effectively address the magnitude of day-to-day emergencies, thus, the alliance will help augment this lapse.

Region VI, or Western Visayas, launched VIPP in 2014 as the program’s pilot area in the country.

The DOH-ARMM will be the focal agency responsible for designing, coordinating, and integrating plans, programs and strategies and activities of VIPP. The VIPA will oversee the effective and efficient implementation of the programs that are geared towards injury and violence prevention. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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DAF-ARMM holds mosaic poster-making contest

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, September 30 (PIA) ---  The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) organized an on-the-spot mosaic poster-making contest as part of the series of activities for the World Food Day with the theme “Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the cycle of rural poverty.”

The on-the-spot mosaic poster-making contest was held on September 28 at the DAF-ARMM regional office in Cotabato City.

The activity is in collaboration with the region’s Department of Education, and international organizations, specifically the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.

Students from four elementary schools from Maguindanao participated in the contest - Tenorio Elementary School from Datu Odin Sinsuat bested three other schools namely Datu Pinguiaman Elementary School, Sarmiento Central Elementary School, and Making Elementary School.

Grand prize winner Khasmira Tuankali, Grade 6 student of Tenorio Elementary School, said she practiced almost everyday before the actual competition and has asked her friends and coach for new ideas and on how to develop her craft. Tenorio Elementary School has won the championship title since 2013.

Khasmira won P3,000 and a medal. She will represent the region in the nationwide poster-making competition on October 16 at the Agriculture department’s national office.

Winners of the contest were judged based on the following criteria: 20 percent for originality, 20 percent for visual impact, 30 percent for creativity using abundantly produced agri-seeds and aquamarine products, and 30 percent for theme relevance.

Teacher Lilibeth Gomez, Khasmira’s coach, said she is preparing her student for the national competition. Winning a national event, she said, does not only bring pride to her school but also to the entire region.

The contenders from ARMM were among the top five winners for two consecutive years since 2013.

Kadiguia Abdullah, information office head at DAF-ARMM, said that they are aiming for a three-peat this year. (BPI/APB/PIA-10

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Regional confab showcases PAMANA projects, tackles implementation challenges

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 29 (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) is holding the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Summit 2015 to showcase PAMANA projects and address issues and challenges faced in the implementation of the program.

The two-day summit also seeks to empower project stakeholders and increase their awareness through inputs and discussions on cooperativism, organizational management, and entrepreneurship that would enhance their drive for effective project implementation as well as foster sustainable development.

More than 200 representatives from community livelihood cooperatives, project implementers, and provincial PAMANA teams from the five provinces of ARMM – Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi – attended the opening day of the summit Monday, September 28.

A PAMANA Expo will also be mounted today at the Shariff Kabunsuan Commercial Complex inside the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City to inspire project stakeholders to further promote the program’s objectives. The expo will feature products, photos and success stories.

PAMANA is the national government’s flagship program under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to strengthen peace-building as well as reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas in selected priority regions in the country.

It builds on a framework that seeks to optimize and harmonize the efforts of state and non-state actors in conflict areas. It complements current efforts in achieving just political settlement in all conflicts through negotiations.

The DSWD-ARMM has been implementing the PAMANA Program since 2012. It has implemented the PAMANA community-driven development/livelihood assistance projects in all the provinces of ARMM targeting a total of 2,159 communities with 386 barangays as pilot areas.

To date, all pilot areas have fully implemented cycles 1 to 3 projects.

The program’s coverage has expanded to 1,773 barangays in 81 municipalities. The cycle 1 of the expansion is now 96 percent complete and is currently in the process of turning over project inputs to program participants.

Simultaneously, target barangays have started submitting project proposals for implementation this year.

Tairan Livelihood Producers Cooperatives is among the beneficiaries of the PAMANA in the province of Basilan. The cooperative is a recipient of seaweed farming project from where its 30 members earn their living. It is based in Brgy. Tairan in Lantawan, a third-class municipality.

Bhen Isik, 45, the president of the Tairan cooperative said the project is beneficial to cooperative members. Isik added their economic conditions have somehow eased because of the project.

A Bagsakan Center was built in the barangay where seaweed products of the cooperatives are sold. A multipurpose hall was also erected, where meetings and conventions of the cooperative are held. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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Pantar Bridge II seen to ease transport of goods, services between Lanao provinces

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 23 (PIA) --- Governors of the two Lanao provinces inaugurated the Pantar Bridge II to open up new economic opportunities and improve the living conditions in Lanao.

Lanao del Norte Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. led the inauguration rites on September 22. Together with them were officials from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units of Pantar and Saguiaran.

The Pantar Bridge II, a 80.00 linear meter bridge along Marawi and Iligan national road, is envisioned to provide safety to public commuters and ease the transport of goods and services between the two provinces.

The bridge project which costs approximately P84 million was implemented by the DPWH Regional Office 10. It included the construction of prestressed concrete grider founded by bored pile foundation with drainage system and concrete bridge approaches.

In his message, Governor Adiong lauded President Benigno S. Aquino III for giving priority to the implementation of infrastructure projects in the Bangsamoro communities.

He said the Pantar Bridge II is vital in the advancement of the local economy of the province.

The bridge which connects the Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur also marks the progress of the two province in terms of cooperation and harmony between the two provinces, he noted.

According to Adiong, the national government has appropriated more than P6 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Lanao del Sur for 2014-2016. (APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM rolls out P92-M worth of infra projects in 2015 -

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 23 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will implement this year more than P92 million worth of infrastructure projects to help improve tourism and living conditions in the region.

The projects include the P56 million Bongao Peak Eco-Tourism development; the concreting of the one kilometer Dulay-Cabasaran road and the one kilometer Cabingan-Dacung road in Marawi City, each worth P12 million; construction of water system in Datu Abdullah Sangki with an appropriation of P9 million; and the construction of a two kilometer protection dike in Mamasapano worth P3.5 million.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region together with the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG)-ARMM inked a memorandum of agreement on the implementation of the said projects with the municipal governments of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, Datu Abdullah Sangki (DAS) and Mamasapano in Maguindanao, and the city of Marawi on September 21 and 22, 2015 at the Office of the Bangsamoro People in Cotabato City.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha Loong, Mayor Jasper Que of Bongao, Mayor Tahirodin Ampatuan of Mamasapano, Mayor Marian Mangudadatu of Datu Abdullah Sangki, and Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic of Marawi city attended the MOA signing.

Loong said the implementation of infra projects in Bongao will “boost the tourism of the municipality as it will attract more visitors and tourists in the nature park.”

On the other hand, the water system in DAS which includes the building of a water tank will provide steady supply of water for the community which, according to him, is “one of their major necessities of the people in the area.”

The two kilometer protection dike in Mamasapano will help protect the farmlands and people in the area against the seasonal overflowing of the Tukanalipao river.

“The dike will have a huge impact in flood control and in the success of the agricultural aspect and economy of the municipality,” said Loong.

The DPWH-ARMM said the infrastructure projects for Marawi City and DAS fall under the CY 2015 Regular Infra Funds of the agency, part of the more than P10 billion approved budget for the rehabilitation, construction and/or repair of local and major roads, bridges, seaports, and other infrastructure projects in the ARMM.

On the other hand, the project in Mamasapano falls under the CY 2014 Bottom-Up Budget projects of the agency.

Loong said the projects are demand-driven which have funding separate from the annual regular infrastructure funds of the agency. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM joins 23rd National Family Week celebration

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 23 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officially kicked-off the 23rd National Family Week celebration on September 22, with a parade and short program in Cotabato City.

                              

More than 500 employees from different line agencies and offices of ARMM took part in the opening spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM).

DSWD-ARMM also awarded Sambay Salik-Suwaib as the Solo Parent Awardee this year. Suwaib received the award “in recognition for her exemplary roles as father and mother” to her three children since her husband passed away more than 20 years ago.

Four other families also received the Model Family Award from the department. The awardees received a plaque of recognition and cash rewards.

Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, the region’s vice-governor and DSWD secretary, said in a statement that the celebration was aimed at intensifying the importance of strengthening the family as the foundation of the nation.

This year’s celebration holds the theme “Family Solidarity, Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families.” This highlights equal opportunities of men and women as well as existing child rights in the Filipino family.

“The family is the very foundation of our nation. It is from where it derives strength, progress and stability,” Lucman said.

The celebration is observed annually every fourth week of September based on Proclamation No. 60 issued on September 18, 1992 “in recognition of the sanctity of family life and to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.”

The weeklong celebration will last until September 27. But a ‘kanduli’ or thanksgiving lunch will be held on September 25. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM builds P136-M worth of infra projects in Lanao Sur, Basilan

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will build infrastructure projects amounting to P136 million in the provinces of Basilan and Lanao del Sur after memorandums of agreement (MOAs) were signed last week at the region’s seat in Cotabato City.

The MOAs were between the ARMM’s Department of Public Works and Highways and two local government units. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the signing with Don Mustapha Loong, DPWH-ARMM secretary.

The projects in Basilan include the concreting of a six-kilometer road in Brgy. Kapatagan Small, Isabela City to Brgy. Boheh Nange, Lamitan City, and the 4,500-meter road in Brgy. Boheh Nange to Brgy. Sta. Clara in Lamitan City. The projects’ total cost amounts to P126 million.

“The two roads will form part of the trans-central road, a milestone project that will enable the people to traverse the province at the center and would open wide hectares of agricultural land open for development,” Sec. Loong said.

He also noted that over P1 billion will be allocated for the trans-central road in Basilan in 2016. “We expect that the trans-central road will be functional in 2016,” he said.

Earlier, the circumferential road in Basilan was completed allowing motorists to circumnavigate the province in shorter time. This time, the regional government has chosen the local government units as implementers to further develop their capability to undertake such infrastructure projects. “This will help far-flung barangays and alleviate social and economic conditions in the affected communities,” Mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City said.

Water systems will also be built in the towns of Bacolod-Kalawi and Tubaran in the province of Lanao del Sur. The projects have a total appropriation of more than P10 million.

“Rest assured that we are doing on-site monitoring of our projects,” Sec. Loong added.

On September 4, a MOA for P124-million infra projects were also signed for the towns of Parang, Buldon and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao and in Tamparen in Lanao del Sur.

The projects would be funded under the 2015 infrastructure budget program. At present, DPWH-ARMM is managing P10-billion worth of projects across the region. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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115th CSC anniversary sports competition kicks-off

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 19 (PIA) ---  The Civil Service Commission of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CSC-ARMM) launched its annual sports competition among the region’s public servants in line with the agency’s 155th anniversary celebration.

Participating employees and officials attended the opening ceremony held on Thursday, September 17, at the Commission on Audit-ARMM covered court located within the regional government’s compound in Cotabato City.

Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., ARMM chief of staff, encouraged the employees to utilize the activity to promote sportsmanship among them. “Gamitin natin ang kompetisyon na ito upang makilala ang bawat isa at mabuo ang sportsmanship sa bawat empleyado ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno ng ARMM (Let us utilize this competition to unite and build sportsmanship among employees of the various agencies in the ARMM government),” said Atty. Mitmug.

Al-Trekee Dayan of the Regional Sports Coordinating Office – ARMM reiterated that “a healthy mind lies in a healthy body.”

Leopoldo Valderosa Jr., CSC-ARMM regional director, said the annual sports competition aims “to develop camaraderie among government employees within the ARMM and to develop physical well-being to deliver effective public service.”

The employees will compete in various sports like basketball, volleyball, and badminton. The competition is in keeping with CSC Memorandum Circular No. 08, Series of 2011, or the “Reiteration of Physical Fitness Program for Government Personnel.”

This year’s anniversary bears the theme “Kayang-Kaya Mo, Lingkod Bayani.”

The celebration in ARMM was formally opened on September 1 wherein the agency conferred the CSC seal of excellence award to PhilHealth regional office-ARMM, Social Security System-Basilan Branch, PhilHealth Marawi-Local Health Insurance Office, and Philippine Statistics Authority-Lanao del Sur provincial office. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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ARMM launches Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations program

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 17 (PIA) ---  In line with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) goal of promoting peace, the regional Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) launched its ARMM Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) program.

Isa Tom Del Monte, CDO-BYA executive director, said the program is one way of recognizing the works of the youth in ARMM. It underscores the role of the youth in nation-building and in the achievement of genuine peace in the region.

The program was patterned after the Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines organized by the TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC) which recognizes, rewards, and encourages youth organizations with programs and projects that help their respective communities.

The projects and programs must be under five categories namely: education and technology; environment, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; health, nutrition and well-being; livelihood and entrepreneurship; and culture and the arts, peace and human development.

Del Monte said that the ARMM TAYO will focus on the peace and development category because it is the most relevant issue in the region.

“Peace is a sign of development and prosperity. It is essential in every youth to bear in mind the importance of peace towards development,” said Del Monte.

The program is open to organizations in ARMM with an ongoing, or recently concluded, project. Organizations must have at least 15 youth members who are 15-30 years of age and must be registered in any of the following line agencies: CDO-BYA, Cooperative Development Agency, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Trade and Industry.

The winning organizations will receive a trophy and cash grant each to fund new projects or continue long-term programs. Entry forms may be downloaded at www.cdobya.armm.gov.ph. Deadline for the submission of entries is on October 31, 2015.

The ARMM-TAYO was launched on September 10 at the Office of the Regional Government compound in Cotabato City during the celebration of the first Youth Peace Day in the region. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1521442453104/armm-launches-ten-accomplished-youth-

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ARMM conducts assessment of child welfare interventions by LGUs

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 17 (PIA) --- The Department of Interior and Local Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-ARMM) has conducted an assessment and round-table discussion on interventions done by local government units (LGUs) in promoting children’ welfare.

The assessment is dubbed Child Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA). It is an audit system that assesses the delivery of social welfare services of LGUs leading to positive results in advancing the well being of children and the youth.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, DILG-ARMM secretary, said the CFLGA is a results-based assessment tool and mandatory audit designed to identify interventions made by the LGUs.

Under the CFLGA, all cities and municipalities shall be assessed to measure their level of performance in implementing child-friendly programs and instituting measures that promote children’s welfare.

Auditors will check if an LGU implements programs that satisfy 12 indicators on health and nutrition, education, protection, and child participation.

Among the indicators are numbers of children attending school, reduction of deaths of children below five years old, children’s safety in the community, absence of child labor, and delivery of health services.

The Council for the Welfare of the Children uses the tool for assessing the performance of LGUs and would use the results for the conferment of the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance.

The system applied is in accordance with the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Philippines is the 31st state to ratify the Convention.

The DILG-ARMM validated the results of the assessment last September 9-11 in coordination with the region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development, Regional Planning and Development Office, Department of Education and Department of Labor and Employment.

The regional team prepared the consolidated regional overall rating on September 15 for the endorsement of DILG-ARMM to the DILG central office.

“This is our way of promoting child-sensitive and child-friendly communities in ARMM,” Atty. Malang said. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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Saudi envoy visits Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 14 (PIA) --- His Excellency Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Bussairy, the Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the Philippines, visited the province last September 8, 2015.

Provincial Administrator Mocamad Rakiin, Sr., Provincial Cooperative Officer Musa Diamla, Provincial Engineer Sirad Laut, and former Philippine Statistics Authority-ARMM Regional Director Commando Pilimpinas received Al Bussairy and his party on behalf of Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr.

Bussairy said he was appointed to his post on March 2015 and one of his goals is to visit all the Muslim areas in the country.

Lanao del Sur was the first Muslim-dominated province he went to.

“I am so happy to see the place now as I have only heard of it,” he said.

Raki-in said Bussairy had promised to fully assist in the electricity problems of the province where power interruptions happen almost every day.

The ambassador also toured the Capitol Grounds and inspected the Provincial Mosque just before he proceeded to the Marawi City Hall. His itinerary included meeting ministry missionaries and visiting educational institutions. (PIO-Lanao del Sur/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM to spend P48 million to lessen effect of El Niño

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 14 (PIA) --- To alleviate the drastic effect expected from El Niño in the region, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) is pushing for a mitigation plan that would entail expenses estimated at P48 million.

Farm production and livestock have been affected because of an ongoing dry spell that may last until June 2016. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), a “mature and strong El Niño” is now present in the tropical Pacific Ocean that will likely strengthen further before the end of the year and may last until the first half of 2016.

Makmod Mending, DAF-ARMM secretary, said the department submitted the El Niño Mitigation Plan to the Department of Agriculture-National Office initiating assistance to affected farmers in the region.

In an executive meeting of DA national and regional heads in Naga City in August, regional officials were tasked to submit reports twice a week to formulate and design interventions for the affected farmers.

It is estimated that close to 14,000 metric tons of rice production were lost in ARMM in the first four months of 2015 because of El Niño.

Analysis of rainfall distribution in the region for the month of August showed that Basilan, one of the five component provinces of ARMM, experienced precipitation way below normal.

This month, the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are experiencing various stages of dry spell.

Dry spell is described as three consecutive months of below normal, or 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall, or two consecutive months of way below normal, or more than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall conditions.

Mending added that low rice production in the region is expected due to these conditions that affect more than 80,000 hectares rain-dependent farm areas. (BPI/PIA-10

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ARMM holds Youth Peace Day

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 14 (PIA) --- Underscoring the importance of the peace process in Mindanao, specifically the passage of a law on genuine Bangsamoro autonomy, the Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded the first Youth Peace Day last week at the Office of the Regional Government compound in Cotabato City. 

More than 200 youths from various schools in Maguindanao as well as those in North and South Cotabato and Cotabato City attended the event, which emphasized the youth’s role in achieving peace in Mindanao as well as in nation-building.

Among the highlights of the youth peace event was the tour of the participants to the different cultural mock villages located in the compound. The mock villages showcase the culture, tradition and way of living of the six of the major Moro tribes in ARMM namely Maguindanaon, Iranun, Maranao, Yakan. Tausug, and Sama/Bajao, including the Teduray tribe.

Isa Tom Del Monte, CDO-BYA executive director, said the activity was a continuation of the Bangasamoro Youth Hope Conference held from June 2 to 4 this year.

Moreover, the activity is in support to the program of the regional government in promoting cultural understanding among the residents of ARMM and its nearby areas.

The activity bears the theme “Youth: partners for genuine peace and development for the Bangsamoro.” (BPI/PIA-10)

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DAR-ARMM holds 1st regional ARB congress

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 9 (PIA) --- The Department of Agrarian Reform of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAR-ARMM) held on September 8, its first Regional Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) Congress at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

Bearing the theme “Mga kwento ng lupa at agrikultura ay musika ng mapayapa at masagang buhay (Stories of land and agriculture are music of a peaceful and prosperous life),” the congress brought together more than 400 ARBs across the region.

The congress also recognized the successful ARBs in the region and underscored the accomplishments of the agency under its regional secretary, Amihilda Sangcopan.

 “Ang highlight ng event na ito ay ang pagpapalabas ng success stories ng ARBs sa ARMM (The success stories of ARBs in the ARMM are the highlights of this event),” Sangcopan said.

One of the successful ARBs recognized was Benjamin Querido, Jr. from Wao, Lanao del Sur. He earns as much as P564,000 annually from his corn and sugarcane farm. He was awarded with 5.36 hectares of land on May 3, 1993 and was able to buy a tractor and hauler truck he is now using.

The region presently has a total of 68,087 ARBs based on the latest record of DAR-ARMM. Ariel Hernandez, DAR-ARMM entrepreneur consultant, presented a 10-year ARMM Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Beneficiaries Development Plan. The plan, he said, will address the problems, issues and needs of ARBs as identified in conferences conducted in the region’s five provinces.

With more than P10.6-billion budget, the plan “is a holistic package of support services for beneficiaries such as infrastructure and agri-enterprise development, business development service and the provision of common service facilities, and scholarships for children of ARBs,” Sangcopan added.

Distribution of 11 common service facilities worth more than P9 million was part of the event. The service facilities included three units of four-wheel drive tractors, three units of shredders, and five units of hand tractors under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services, the department’s strategic intervention to retain the awarded lands of the ARBs through production and engagement in agri-based and related enterprises.

Edwin Usman, 45, vice-president of Tongehat Ungus-Ungus Cooperative based in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi received one unit of Kubota hand tractor. The cooperative also received a power tiller cultivator on June 15 during the 27th anniversary celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in the region.

The Tongehat Ungus-Ungus Cooperative started in 2010 with banana, cassava and chili pepper as main agricultural products. “Malaki ang maitutulong ng mga facilities na ito sa aming cooperative dahil ito talaga ang kailangan namin sa aming pagsasaka (These facilities would help our cooperative a lot since we need these in farming),” Usman said.

Herman Ongkiko, DAR undersecretary for foreign assisted and special projects served as one of the special guests of the event. (BPI-ARMM/PIA-10)

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DRRMOs in Lanao del Sur undergo second round of ICS training

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 7 (PIA) --- Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (DRRMO) of Lanao del Sur have completed the second level of the Integrated Planning Course on Incident Command System, facilitated and funded by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao- Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) on September 1-6, 2015 at the Seda Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

“The course was aimed to strengthen the capacity DRRMO in incident commanding should a natural or human disaster incident occur in the area,” said Myrna Jo Henry, media/communications officer of ARMM-HEART.

Henry said the course responds to issues and problems that usually crop up during calamities and disasters such as having many responders than necessary, unclear lines of authority and unclear incident objectives.

Participants were DRRMO of the provincial government and the municipalities of Bacolod Kalawi, Bayang, Binidayan, Buadi Puso Buntong, Ditsaan-Ramain, Lumba Bayabao, Lumbaca Unayan, Lumbatan, Marogong, Molondo, Piagapo, Saguiaran, and Wao.

There were also participants from the Philippine Army who are considered as the first-line of defense when a calamity or disaster strikes.

Ret. Colonel Tatar M. Boriongan, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Lanao del Sur, said most of the incidents in the province are human-induced such as family and clan feuds except for the municipalities of Ramain, Bubong and Buadi Puso Buntong which experienced flooding during typhoon Pablo last December 2012.

“When it comes to settling family and clan disputes and feuds in the province, Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr. is at the forefront and with him are respected religious leaders of the province and his Provincial Council of Elders,” said Boriongan.

He said the governor is serious in extending help to all his constituents and this is the reason why he wants all the disaster risk and reduction officers in the municipalities to be capacitated and prepared for any unfortunate incident.

“Our DRRM office is also fully-equipped with rubber boats, generator sets, water pumps, rescue vehicles, ambulances, ropes, shovels, and even mannequins for our local trainings,” Boriongan added.

The ARMM-HEART is a brainchild of ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman. It is an emergency rapid response team providing coordinated actions by all regional line agencies and humanitarian organizations to limit the effects of disasters in the region.

It has a state-of-the-art emergency and operation center based in Cotabato City working 24/7 to monitor disaster, weather and occurrences affecting the people residing in the five provinces of the region namely, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. (PIO Lanao del Sur/APB/PIA-10)

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Over P636 million worth infra projects to roll out in ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 7 (PIA) --- Over P636 million worth of infrastructure projects “are expected to roll out immediately” within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after two memorandums of agreement were signed on September 4, at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, who led the signing of the agreements, said the infrastructure projects “ will roll out immediately after a series of simultaneous preparations were conducted.”

One hundred barangays located in 82 towns across the ARMM will benefit from the 2015 ARMM Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (HELPS) support infrastructure projects.

The ARMM’s Integrated Project Management Office (IPMO) oversees the implementation of the 2015 HELPS projects. It also serves as the fund manager and lead agency in monitoring and evaluation of district engineering offices to ensure high quality, on-time delivery, and consistency with respect to the program of work.

Noor Saada, regional director of IPMO-ARMM, said 506 HELPS infrastructure projects will be built, amounting to about P512 million. These include construction of barangay halls; multi-purpose buildings; children’s parks; barangay health stations; water, waste and sanitation facilities; botika ng barangay; community learning centers; and support to livelihood activities.

According to Saada, the projects were identified by residents and stakeholders of target communities.

Details of the projects were communicated with partner line agencies to ensure propriety and complementation, to avoid duplication, and to promote synergy.

Saada also noted that ARMM HELPS projects in 2013-2014 have a completion rate of about 80 to 90 percent.

Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement for the concreting of three roads in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur was also signed on Friday between the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) and three municipal government units.

Don Mustapha Loong, regional secretary of DPWH-ARMM, said the concreting of three roads is worth P124 million. The projects in Maguindanao include the concreting of the four-kilometer Parang-Buldon Road in the towns of Parang and Buldon worth P72 million and the two-kilometer Macabiso-Namuken Taraken Road in Sultan Mastura worth P40 million.

The one-kilometer, P12 million, Tubok Municipal Road in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur will also be built.

The regional government has chosen the three towns as partners in the implementation for their capability to undertake such infrastructure projects.

“These projects are part of the continuing legacy of the reform agenda of Governor Mujiv Hataman and DPWH-ARMM to close the gap in terms of unpaved national, provincial and municipal roads in the ARMM,” Loong added. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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DepEd-ARMM mulls extending alternative delivery model of learning

MAKATI CITY, Sept. 2 --- The Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) is “considering the sustainability of the alternative delivery model (ADM) as an approach to help alleviate the poor academic performance in basic education of students in the region.”

Marjuni Maddi, DepEd-ARMM assistant secretary for academics, said the region is “considering the continuation of ADM in ARMM communities after the program ends in 2017.” 

He said consultations with stakeholders and reviewing the policies of the DepEd central office would be conducted before ADM is extended beyond the program’s original duration.

“We need to consider the readiness of ARMM and the DepEd central office’s policies to sustain ADM as a program,” Maddi said. 

The ADM is a component of the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao that aims at supporting the ongoing efforts of the Philippine government to address long-term education issues in ARMM.

Implemented by BRAC Philippines, the program established learning centers in poor, conflict-affected, and disadvantaged communities in ARMM to give out-of-school children access to basic education. It provides catch-up opportunities for the young children in remote and deprived communities of the region where regular public education is not easily accessible.

Since its implementation in 2012, the project already built 1,220 learning centers across ARMM including seven floating centers in coastal areas in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. These learning centers catered to 38,084 students from kindergarten to grades 1 to 3.

Maddi said the learning achievements of students in ADM centers showed parallel performances with those in public schools.

The idea was reinforced during the national research forum on ADM conducted on September 1 here. 

The forum was aimed at sharing the initial findings of three studies conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Banos Foundation, Inc., University of Melbourne, and University of Southeastern Philippines on the ADM-BRAC learning centers in ARMM. 

The studies show that the BRAC learning centers significantly contribute to the increasing access to basic education; students in public schools and in BRAC learning centers show parallel performance in academic achievements; and BRAC learning centers have generally prepared their learners to a satisfactory level of readiness for the next grade level.

Almost 70 officials from DepEd-ARMM, Australian and Bangladeshi embassies, and representatives from BRAC Philippines, Australian Aid, the academe and various international nongovernmental organizations working for education in ARMM attended the event.

“As we continue to improve the basic education system in the Philippines, there are learners who are still marginalized by the system,” said Elvin Ivan Yu, DepEd central office assistant secretary for programs and projects.

“We will keep on engaging the sectors from the academe, local governments, development sectors, and partners to see how we can further refine this model and really come up with innovative and sustainable solutions that can serve our communities better in the coming years,” Yu added. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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CSC grants seal of excellence award to frontline service offices in ARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 2 (PIA) --- The Civil Service Commission in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CSC-ARMM) has conferred the Citizen’s Satisfaction Center – Seal of Excellence Award to four frontline service offices in the region.

The award was given on September 1, during the kick-off ceremony of the 115th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration.

Agencies rated as ‘Excellent’ based on report card survey received a plaque of recognition and P100,000 cash.

The four awardees are Phil Health Regional Office-ARMM, Social Security System-Basilan Branch, Phil Health-Marawi and Philippine Statistics Authority-Lanao del Sur provincial office.

CSC-ARMM Regional Director Leopoldo Roberto Valderosa Jr. hailed the awardees for excellence in delivering quality service to the general public. He underscored that the awardees were among the frontline service offices in the region surveyed by the commission last year.

“The present ARMM administration marked the celebration this year through the strides we have taken to establish good governance and make the ARMM a truly functioning and working bureaucracy,” said ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia.

She said ARMM, for the first time in its 25-year history, has improved professionalism and performance in the regional bureaucracy as well as the general public’s access to important government services.

The CSC is the lead implementer of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) that initiates the recognition of offices that perform well.

Government agencies have installed various mechanisms since the implementation of ARTA to reduce red tape and promote customer-driven response to efficiently deliver public service.

Through ARTA, the CSC closely monitors compliance to provisions that seek to eliminate red tape.

Alamia also commended CSC-ARMM for continuing to promote excellence, integrity and professionalism in civil service. She reiterated that the ARMM government will consistently raise the standard and quality of public service in the region.

Agencies and other offices in the region are now required to publish all relevant information about their funding and operations in their respective websites in compliance with the transparency seal policy of the national government. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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DepEd-ARMM, BRAC Philippines to conduct research forum

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Sept. 1 (PIA) --- The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) and BRAC Philippines will conduct a national research forum on Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) this month in Makati City. 

The research forum will discuss the initial findings of three studies conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Banos Foundation, Inc., ACTRC-Melbourne University, and University of Southeastern Philippines on the ADM-BRAC learning centers in ARMM.

Moreover, the event will also showcase the key features of the ADM and BRAC learning centers and identify pathways for integrating the lessons and best practices of the ADM in the national education policies and programs.

DepEd-ARMM officials, Australian embassy representatives, members of the academe and various international nongovernmental organizations working for education in ARMM are expected to attend the event.

The ADM project is a component of the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao program being supported by the Philippine and Australian governments. It is now on its fourth year of implementation.

The project established learning centers in poor, conflict-affected, and disadvantaged communities in ARMM to provide opportunities to out-of-school children to have access to basic education. It aims at supporting the ongoing efforts of the Philippine government to address education issues in the region in the long-term. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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