ARMM holds 3rd LGU summit

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is holding the 3rd Local Government Unit (LGU) Summit geared towards regional development from November 30 to December 1 in Davao City.

A total of 116 municipal mayors with their planning officers, two city mayors, five provincial governors, and members of the 9th regional legislative assembly are expected to participate in the two-day summit.

To be held in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) national office, this year’s summit carries the theme “Pagkamulat, Pagbabago, Pag-Unlad”.

Sharifa Pearlsia A. Dans, assistant regional DILG, said secretary Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Davao City is expected to be present during the summit's opening program. “The two-day event is actually a development summit, the activities which are dialogues and workshops are geared towards development.”

The summit will be a venue to facilitate dialogue on current issues at the local level and secure the commitment of the LGUs in improving or scaling up their good governance standing and eventually to initiate plans for national and regional programs prioritization.

To set the tone of the summit on the first day, ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia will discuss the region’s development framework, followed by the state of local governance that will be delivered by DILG-ARMM Secretary Atty. Noor Hafizullah Abdullah.

There will also be a presentation of ARMM and Local Development Investment Program for the year 2017 as well as workshops on priority programs, activities, and projects. 
Local chief executives will also have dialogues with officials of national government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

“Since it is the first time that the president is handling the ARMM, we look forward to more local chief executives who would be aligned with the administration in terms of development,” Dans said. (BPI/PIA-10)

0

OPAPP consults Lanao traditional leaders on Bangsamoro peace process

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)  conducted a consultation with traditional leaders from the Lanao provinces on November 24, in recognition of the important role of the Sultanates in the attaining lasting peace.

The consultation dubbed “Peacebuilding Conversations of the Ranao Traditional Leaders’ Peace Tables” was organized in partnership with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur to help traditional leaders understand the peace agenda of the Duterte administration and get their views for the Bangsamoro peace process.

The Duterte administration’s blue print for peace and development was presented during the consultation. Issues and concerns as well as the aspirations of traditional leaders were also brought up.

OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza said they are gathering inputs from traditional leaders on how they envision their roles and contribute in the peace building efforts of the government.

He underscored the Sultanates’ participation in the peace process as crucial in responding to the historical injustice to the Bangsamoro which President Duterte wants to address.

Dureza explained that the present peace road map is inclusive. He said every group has its own dynamics but they want to pursue inclusivity in the process where all sectors are involved and will take ownership.

We admit there are scars but we must heal the wounds for peace to work, he added.

Dureza also reminded the traditional leaders that peace agreement is not the only way in addressing the problems of the society.

We can sign and implement many peace agreements but if everyone will not work to improve their lives, then nothing will happen, he emphasized.

He said the government will provide the needed infrastructure and framework but the real work should be done by everyone in their own respective communities. (APB/PIA-10)

0

Lanao Del Sur launches operation manual for women, peace center

In a bid to promote gender equality in the province, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur launched on November 21, the operation manual of the Provincial Women and Peace Center (PWPC).

The manual specifies the processes and work flows that are to be adopted by the PWPC in the delivery of gender-responsive programs and services.

Guidelines on the facility and human resource requirements as well as the institutional arrangements are also spelled out in the manual.

The launching was attended by gender and development (GAD) focal persons from the different line agencies and municipalities and local media practitioners.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary for Peace-Building and Development, Diosita Andot, also graced the event.

The Center was established with the support of the OPAPP and the ARMM Regional Government through the Regional Commission on the Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) in line with the government’s Localizing the National Action Plan (LNAP) on women, peace and security program that targets to bring national programs to grassroots level, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Andot said the establishment of the PWPC is a demonstration of the government’s active support and leadership in the implementation of international commitments on women, peace and security under the UN Security Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

Monaima Adiong, provincial GAD Focal Person, said the Center seeks to provide women in the province access to programs and support services related to GAD and peace-building and address concerns of women especially those affected by conflict and other related issues.

Located inside the Provincial Capitol compound, the PWPC will house the different activities of women groups, provide capability building on GAD, and training to capacitate women to be economically-empowered.

The Center will also provide referral services for the violence against women (VAW) survivors, Adiong added. (APB/PIA-10)

0

DSWD-ARMM runs exhibit on early childhood care, devt

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) is running an exhibit on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) this week at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in Marawi in line with the region’s celebration of the 24th National Children’s Month.

The exhibit opened Monday and will run until Friday, November 18. It highlights the four stages or cornerstones of development of young children and is the second in a series of four activities included in the DSWD-ARMM’s ECCD Summit.

The ECCD is defined under Republic Act 8980 as the full range of health, nutrition, early education, and social services programs that provide for the holistic needs of children 0-8 years old.

It rests on four cornerstones beginning from the first 1,000 days of a child, the preschool years from two to four years old, the primary school years from five to eight years old, and the involvement of the local government in childhood policies.

The four cornerstones of the ECCD harness consolidated efforts and combined interventions from different sectors to have greater impact on child development in terms of health, nutrition, early education, child protection, and their welfare’s prioritization in local government planning.

Kay Lintongan, DSWD-ARMM specialist on Child and Youth Welfare Program (CYWP), said that aside from showcasing the inherent features of children’s development stages, the exhibit aims to provide parents and stakeholders helpful information on the key roles they play in support to the developmental needs of children.

The other regional agencies taking part in the exhibit are the members of the Regional Subcommittee for the Welfare of Children (RSWC), which are comprised of the Department of Health (DOH) through its National Nutrition Council, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG).

In the ARMM, member agencies of the RSWC are implementing the following programs anchored on the ECCD: the DILG’s training on the mainstreaming of ECCD in the Local Government Units, the NNC’s ECCD Intervention Package for first 1,000 days in the nine municipalities of Sulu, involving Infant and Young Child Feeding and Nutrition in Emergency Trainings, the DepEd’s Kindergarten Curriculum Framework, and the DSWD’s Child and Youth Welfare Program, and operation of and 120-days supplemental feeding in its 2,092 Child Development Centers (formerly known as Day Care Centers) across the region.
 
The region’s ECCD program is also strongly supported by international non-government organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Australian Aid, and BRAC International, which implements programs that puts primary emphasis on early childhood development in the curriculum of their education programs such as the Alternative Delivery Model and the Tahderriya.

This week’s exhibit will be followed by an ECCD Forum and Workshop on Seamless ECCD which form part of the DSWD-ARMM’s ECCD Summit in line with the National Children’s Month celebration. (BPI/PIA-10)

0

ARMM celebrates 27th founding anniversary

The people in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are set to showcase their diverse culture, traditions, and way of life as the region marks its 27th founding anniversary this month.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman urged all sectors to take part in the celebration and said "the Moro here look forward to more years of pride and success.”

He said this year's celebration will highlight the 27 years of history, achievements, and progress of the autonomous region.

The creation of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The ARMM was established in 1989 by virtue of Republic Act 6734 and was originally composed of the provinces of Sulu, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi.

The province of Basilan and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan became part of the region following the expansion of  the ARMM’s powers and geographical composition under a new organic act - Republic Act 9054, which was the result of the Final Peace Agreement between the national government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

As part of the celebration, the regional government has lined up several activities this month and on December.

Among which are a food festival that would feature the cuisines of the different major Moro tribes in the ARMM, a film showing, cooking showdown, sports festival, search for the ARMM’s Rajah and Ranee, financial literacy forum, cultural presentation, regional governors' peacetivity, People's Day, week of peace, local government unit's summit and Gabi ng Parangal.

Tourism Sec. Ayesha Mangudadatu-Dilangalen said the celebration will highlight the rich culture of the Moro people as well as the variety of local products from the different ARMM provinces.

"It's a great opportunity for tourists to discover the rich culture of the region," Sec. Dilangalen said.

The different regional line agencies will also provide and deliver free legal and medical services on the People's Day on November 19.

The 636th commemoration of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on November 7 marked the official kick-off of the anniversary celebration. It will culminate on December 19, during the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, with a fluvial procession at the Rio Grande de Mindanao in Cotabato City.

In 2015, the ARMM opted to mark the region’s anniversary with a muted celebration in the wake of a wave of terror attacks in different parts of the world that claimed the lives of hundreds. (BPI/PIA-10)

0

ARMM holds five-day food festival

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is holding a five-day food festival this week to showcase the different Moro delicacies as part of the region’s 27th founding anniversary celebration in Marawi city.

The food festival opened Monday with foods and delicacies unique to the province of Maguindanao taking center stage. The array of authentic Maguindanaon delicacies included the baling, tinapayan, palapa, pastil, fried katipa, tapudi,  lininggil, inasekan a layagan, blua, kumukunsi,  tinadtag, and panganansising.

Two of the most prominent Maguindanaon delicacies are the pastil and sininang kambing.

Pastil is cooked rice topped with sauteed chicken or fish meat flakes, known as ‘kagikit’, that is wrapped in banana leaves. A modern take on this unique Maguindanaon dish features toasted fish meat, chicken or beef as kagikit, and hot and spicy flavored kagikit.

The sininang kambing, on the other hand, is tenderized goat meat cut into chunks cooked with with palapa, coconut milk, spices, garlic, onion, ginger, chives, chili and soy sauce. The spices and coconut milk bring a unique and contrasting flavor to the meat.

According to ARMM Tourism Sec. Ayesha Mangudadatu-Dilangalen, these foods are usually served during thanksgivings that Maguindanaon refer to as “kanduli”.

“It reflects their culture and traditions,” she said.

The food festival was made even more cheerful with live kulintang music from a traditional Maguindanaon ensemble, and with the Sagayan, a traditional dance in Maguindanao.

Sec. Dilangalen said the delicacies unique to the different provinces of the ARMM form part of the culture of peoples therein and holding a festival to showcase these foods spice up the celebration of the founding anniversary of the region.

The ARMM is composed of five provinces namely, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The delicacies in the four other provinces will be featured in the following schedule this week: Lanao del Sur on November 15; Basilan on November 16; Sulu on November 17; and Tawi-Tawi on November 18.

Sec. Dilangalen said the 27th Pakaradjaan sa ARMM will highlight the rich culture of the Moro people as well as the variety of local products from the region’s different provinces.

"It's a great opportunity for the tourists to discover the rich culture of the region," Sec. Dilangalen said.

Since 2014, the ARMM has held Food Festivals to showcase an astounding range of foods distinct to each province.

The food festival marks the celebration of the region’s diverse flavors reflecting its culture, and a celebration of cuisine and culinary talents of the Moro people. (BPI/PIA-10)

0

Lanao Food Festival to showcase authentic Meranao cuisine

What Meranao cuisine will capture the heart of food lovers?

We will find out during the Lanao Food Festival on November 15, at the regional seat of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Cotabato City.

The festival aims to showcase the rich culture and diversity of Meranao cuisine and delicacies.

Key attractions at the festival include feature traditional Meranao cuisine such as badak with kudalis, pindyalukan, inaluban, and kuning as the main course; palapa, byaring and pariya as side dishes; and live music and entertainment showcasing the Meranao ensemble.

Delicacies such as dodol, tomaginting, pinipig, browa, and tapay as well as the famous Meranao native coffee with ginger will also be served during the festival.

The Lanao Food Festival is part of the month-long celebration of the 27th ARMM Anniversary dubbed Pakaradjaan sa ARMM. (APB/PIA-10)

0

Lanao del Sur strengthens promotion to attract tourists

The Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) are looking at the natural beauty of Lanao del Sur and the uniqueness of its people and culture as the focus in promoting the tourism sector in the province.

During the PTC organizational meeting last week, the Council members identified competitive tourist destinations and spots across the province and scheduled an ocular inspection of these areas in the third week of November.

After the inspection, the PTC and its Technical Working Group will recommend the needed infrastructures to boost the tourist spots.

The PTC also approved the putting of "I Love Lanao del Sur" emblems in strategic areas of the province.

The promotion of Meranao crafts and food products, especially their unique spice called 'palapa' were also tackled during the meeting to attract prospective tourists to visit the province, not only for its natural beauty but also for its unique products and cuisine.

The Council further plans to focus part of its promotional efforts on halal tourism in a bid to tap the growing market of Muslim tourists.

The PTC was created through an Executive Order dated September 29, 2016 to provide technical support to the provincial government and recommend policies and programs for tourism promotion and development.

The Council is composed of representatives from the provincial government, provincial heads of national line agencies, and representatives from the business and banking sectors. (APB/PIA-10)

0