Some 600 temporary shelters for Marawi IDPs ready by December, HUDCC Chair says

By the end of December, about 600 temporary shelters will be ready for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi City.

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Eduardo del Rosario made the announcement during his ocular site inspection of the Transitional Shelters Area at Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City.

He disclosed that every month around 100-200 housing units will be constructed.

"1,175 ang target. Every month magkakaroon ng 100-200 housing units na macocomplete," said Del Rosario. [The target is 1,175. Every month 100-200 housing units will be completed].

Each transitional shelter measures 22 square meters with kitchen and sink and a toilet.

Common facilities include madrasahs (Islamic religious schools), wet and dry market, health facilities, barangay tanod outpost and even a transport terminal. There will also be basic services like water facilities and electricity.

Del Rosario also explained that good quality and durable materials are being used for the construction of the housing units.

"It is made of steel panel; it is earthquake resistant na ibig sabihin ay kahit may earthquake hindi matutumba [which means, when there is earthquake, it will not collapse]," he said.

According to Del Rosario, those who no longer have houses to return to will be prioritized to occupy the transitional shelters.

He added that the construction of permanent shelters will begin in a few months’ time.

"We have to be sure na ang lote na gagamitin ay safe [that the lot to be used is safe], hindi [not] very risky for flooding, risky for earthquake; that it is included in the comprehensive land use plan of the city," said Del Rosario.

Del Rosario also shared that close coordination with the local officials of Marawi is being maintained to ensure that the plans initiated are culturally sensitive.

"The government, as instructed by the President, ensures na pag sila ay lumipat [that when they return], they can say na comfortable sila sa kanilang lilipatan [that they will feel comfortable to where they will be transferred]," Del Rosario concluded. (LEAntonio/PIA)

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Liberation of Marawi marks beginning of rehab

Following the day after the top terrorist leaders of Marawi siege, Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed in a military assault, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD), declared the liberation of Marawi from the control of terrorists.

“I hereby declare Marawi city liberated from the terrorist influence… that marks the beginning of rehabilitation,” said Duterte.

The president also commended the valor of the troops as they braved the dangers posed by gun fires and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in fighting against the terrorists and in rescuing hostages.

Symbolizing the achievement of victory against the terrorists, the President led the raising of the Philippine flag held at the Jamiatul Philippine Al-Islamia campus, located at the main battle area.

Ending of crisis

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Eduardo Año said in a press conference on Monday that “the Marawi crisis will be over–sooner than later. The resistance of–or what is left of it— the terrorists will crumble.”

Meanwhile, Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Force Ranao, said that the death of terrorist leaders led to the declaration of Marawi's liberation as they are the “center of gravity, they are the ones who are binding Maute-ISIS together.”

“It [the declaration] is a strategic message to tell the world na tapos na itong problema sa Maute-ISIS [that the problem with Maute-ISIS is over], na they cannot be victorious anymore. Patapos na po [This is about to end.],” said Brawner.

Beginning of rehabilitation

Brawner also asked the residents of the Marawi City to be patient as clearing operations of the area are being conducted.

“We will rescue remaining hostages and make sure na wala ng stragglers na naiiwan at mga IEDs [that there will be no longer stragglers and IEDs in the area].. tuloy na pa tayo [we are ready for] sa next phase which is the rehabilitation,” Brawner said.

Brawner also shared that the cleanup drive ‘Brigada Marawi’ has began last week.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams will also check and remove remained IEDs.

Meanwhile, Post Conflict Needs Assessment (PCNA) teams composed of various national and local government agencies had begun their assessment on the damages in 24 barangays in Marawi City.

The results of the data analysis, consolidation, and report development of the assessment is to be completed before October ends.(LEAntonio/PIA)

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Heavy equipment from China turned over to DPWH to fast track Marawi recovery

Forty-seven sets of heavy equipment from the People’s Republic of China through its Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Program were turned over to the Department of Public Works and Highways 10 (DPWH-10) which will be utilized for the rehabilitation phase of Marawi City.

Shipped from the Port of Shanghai to Iligan Port, the heavy equipment include eight excavators, eight wheel loaders, five compactors, five track type tractors, five bulldozers, eight dump trucks, eight cement mixers and a unit of container van.

The heavy equipment will be used for the construction of transitional shelters particularly in Barangay Sagonsongan for internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi.

DPWH-10 District Engineer Rey Peter Gille and Office of Civil Defense-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) Regional Director Reylindo Aniñon inspected the heavy equipment.

Gille said that the heavy equipment are “very important in fast tracking the operations in the recovery and rehabilitation phase of Marawi City currently being undertaken.”

Being the lead agency for the Reconstruction Committee of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and member of Housing Sub-committee, DPWH has already completed the site development for Areas 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Barangay Sagonsongan. Road concreting is still ongoing and estimated to be completed by the end of November, this year.

Furthermore, DPWH continues to provide assistance to the evacuation centers through the improvement of roadways, installation of water supply system, latrines, communal kitchens and other related matters. (LEAntonio/PIA)

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Bahay Pag-asa Project launched for Marawi displaced families

To provide immediate shelter and accommodation to the families affected by the Marawi siege, Bahay Pag-asa (Home of Hope) was launched in Barangay Bito Buadi Itowa, Marawi City.

With the collaborative efforts of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. and the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, a total of 50 nipa huts were constructed in a 1.2 hectare land.

Attaching rain-catching systems for water supply and solar panels for electricity, the 8x8 ft. houses were built using bamboos, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and nipa palm.

A total of 30 comforts rooms, 30 bathrooms, 10 sinks and 10 cooking facilities were also built.

Dubbed as Hardin ng Lunas (Garden of Cure), a vegetable garden was constructed where different crops were planted. Giant bamboos were also planted along the vicinity.

A customized model was also built to show to the beneficiaries that they could beautify the basic nipa hut.

According to Major Rodolf John dela Cruz of Judge Advocate General Service, Joint Task Force Marawi, the main beneficiaries of the project are those owners of houses situated at the main battle area.

Meanwhile, the Task Force Bangon Marawi currently works for the transitional shelters in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City, which will be ready for occupancy by December.(LEAntonio/PIA)

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Finding love amid crisis

As the government troops continue to fight against the Maute-ISIS terror group in Marawi City, a love between two lovers sparked at the Tent City in Pantar town, Lanao del Norte where 109 displaced families are situated.

Proving that true love conquers all amid crisis and conflict, Norinsa Basher, 22 and Jomar Saumay, 19, exchanged vows in a simple yet blissful wedding ceremony.

The groom worked as a tricycle driver while the bride managed a store in Marawi City.

Having known each other for years, the couple had crushes toward each other.

Their feelings was further boosted as they see each other frequently at the Tent City.

When asked about why he fell in love with Nornisa, Jomar narrated that it was because of her beauty and kindness.

Similarly, Nornisa shared that it was Jomar’s compassion that made her to fell in love with him.

"Tinutulungan niya ako sa mga ginagawa ko dito sa Tent City,” said Nornisa.

[He’s helping me in doing the household chores.]

Love waits, Love conquers

Resonating peace and bliss in the community, the cheers of their fellow evacuees and the sound of kulintang (a modern term for an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of small, horizontally laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by larger, suspended gongs and drums) and gong reverberated at the wedding venue.

To solemnize the wedding, a marriage sermon was given by an imam and a recitation of the Qur’an was made.

While a ceremony is being conducted with the groom and bride’s parent, the bride wearing a long-sleeved white-laced gown, patiently awaits for her groom to fetch her inside her tent.

Nornisa shared that her siblings did not agree at first that she would be wedded with Jomar. However, as she fought for their love, her siblings eventually agreed.

Their love story proves that the ongoing crisis in Marawi cannot hinder their love toward each other as they both conquered the odds.

Initiatives for Love

The wedding of the couple will not be possible without the help of some generous people.

It was Acmad Amer, barangay chairman of Campong, Pantar, who began the initiatives for the wedding to be pursued.

“Nakita ko sa kanila ang sobra nilang pagmamahalan sa isa’t isa. Kaya gumawa ako ng paraan para sila ay makasal,” said Amer.

[I witnessed how they love each other. That is why I made initiatives for them to be wedded with each other.]

Amer also shared that some evacuees who were beneficiaries of cash for work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD), also lend a small contribution.

The Task Force Bangon Marawi, spearheaded by Undersecretary Cesar Yano of the Department of National Defense (DND), also sent their support to conduct the modest and joyful wedding ceremony.

“Nakakatuwa kasi kahit sa gitna ng kahirapan, na-develop pa rin ang pagmamahalan sa mga evacuees,” said Usec. Yano.

[It is great to hear that despite of difficulty and suffering, love has been developed between two evacuees.]

Usec. Yano also shared the essence of the wedding ceremony as it symbolizes that love is the center of all things. (LEAntonio/PIA))

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DA opens more sites for Marawi IDPs veggie production project

The Department of Agriculture in Lanao del Sur  has opened four more vegetable production project sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi City.

The project is part of the early recovery interventions of the Department to ease the lives of displaced Marawi residents by giving them opportunities to generate income and address their need for nutritious foods.

It is being implemented in coordination with Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the municipal government of Saguiaran.

The additional sites are located in Barangay Sunggod (1.5 ha.), Barangay Bubong Punud (2.0 ha.), Barangay Panggao (1.0 ha.), and Barangay Bubong (.75 ha.), all in Saguiaran town.

Assorted lowland vegetable and Mungbean seeds were also distributed during the site inspection and briefing on nursery managament.

DA has earlier opened vegetable production sites in Brgy. Bito Buadi Itowa and Barangay Pantaon/Pantao Raya with 126 enlisted cooperators working over a communal 1.8 ha. area. (DA Lanao del Sur / PIA-10)

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Lanao del Sur remains bird-flu free

The Department of Agriculture (DA) here has assured that Lanao del Sur remains free of Avian Influenza virus.

DA Lanao del Sur said quarantine stations in both the entry and exit points of the province – particularly Misamis Oriental and Maguindanao province, are instituting strict measures to restrict movements of infected birds and fowls. 

Apart from this, DA has instructed all Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs) to monitor their respective areas for early signs of the disease. 

The Livestock Extension force of the agency is also undertaking massive campaign on its prevention through farm sanitation and health management practices. (DA Lanao del Sur / PIA-10)

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Clearing operations vs Maute to continue, says Task Force Marawi spox

Fighting has remained intense here yesterday, Aug. 14, as the government troops are still clearing a remaining square-kilometer area in the main business district here according to Capt. Joan Petinglay, spokesperson of Task Force Marawi.

In a press briefing, Petinglay said, “our soldiers are doing their best to neutralize every member of the ISIS-inspired Maute terror group, and to rescue as many hostages as they can.”

Petinglay also reported that 562 terrorists were killed and 619 firearms were recovered since the clashes between the Maute group and the government soldiers erupted last May 23.

The terrorists have killed 45 civilians and 128 soldiers and policemen.

In the same press briefing, Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) also revealed that the local chief executives of Lanao del Sur had met in Iligan City to discuss and find ways to counter extremism in the area.

The local government officials and security officials have forged to work for long-term solutions to the security threats in Lanao del Sur.

Presently, a total of 104,832 families with 467, 377 individuals got displaced by the Marawi crisis.

Government agencies have continued to provide the affected families with relief goods while the Department of Health (DOH) continues to extend free health care services for the evacuees.

Transitional shelters will also be built to relocate the evacuees from cramped evacuation centers. (FPGumapon/PIA-10)

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25 LGUs in ARMM to undergo validation for 2017 SGLG award

A total of 25 local government units (LGUs) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) passed the region-wide assessment for the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

Secretary Noor Hafizullah Abdullah of the ARMM's Interior and Local Government said that the 25 LGUs are potential passers for this year’s SGLG award.

“The 25 LGUs will still undergo a more strict assessment and national validation next week before the final list of passers (will be released),” Sec. Abdullah said. “It’s (a confirmation) that the LGUs in ARMM are really providing better services to their constituents,” he added.

The SGLG is among the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s flagship programs as it symbolizes integrity and good performance of LGUs through continuing governance reform and sustained local development.

SGLG is guided by the provisions of Republic Act 716 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the General Appropriations Act of 201 and Administrative Order No. 267 of 1992.

It is a progressive assessment system adopted by the department to give recognition and distinction to remarkable local government performance across several areas.

For SGLG 2017, a ‘4+1’ assessment criteria were applied. LGUs must pass four core areas namely Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection, and the new additional area Peace and Order.

They must also pass at least one essential area, either, Business Friendliness and Competitiveness; Tourism, Culture and the Arts; or Environmental Protection.

In 2016, six LGUs in the region were awarded with the Seal of Good Local Governance. ARMM was a zero passer in the previous year. The 2016 awardees were the province of Maguindanao, the city of Lamitan in Basilan, and the towns of North Upi and Parang in Maguindanao, Wao in Lanao del Sur, and Jolo in Sulu.

The national government has cited the ARMM as the most improved region in terms of peace and order as well as financial administration during that year.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said good governance practices should be emulated by all LGUs in the region. All qualified LGUs will be conferred with a 2017 SGLG marker, a national recognition, and a cash incentive through the Performance Challenge Fund to finance their local development projects.

A special distinction will be given to LGUs, which have consistently passed all the assessment areas since 2015. Conferment of the Seal will be held in October. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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ARMM surveys lands in Marawi

As part of Task Force Bangon Marawi’s (TFBM) recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation program, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through its Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ARMM), will survey the lands in Marawi City in line with the establishment of additional temporary and permanent shelters.

During TFBM’s meeting with regional, provincial and national government officials in Marawi on August 2, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman  committed to help the task force in conducting a comprehensive survey of lands in Marawi City to determine the political boundaries of local government units and the properties of private owners.

“We assure help in the land surveys in Marawi for the fast set up of the shelters,” Gov. Hataman said. “This is also the ARMM’s counterpart for the rehabilitation program in the sub-cluster on housing,” he added.

Following the creation of Task Force Bangon Marawi by President Rodrigo Duterte, Governor Hataman established an internal task force to ensure proper coordination and implementation of programs and projects in Marawi City when the current crisis is over. Official data from the DENR-ARMM showed Marawi has a total land area of 8,407 hectares.

TFBM executive director and concurrent National Defense undersecretary Cesar Yano said the local government of Marawi City must submit immediately the list of families who want to stay in permanent homes and those who prefer to stay in temporary shelters while the recovery and rehabilitation of the city are ongoing.

“As soon as possible, we need to have a location for temporary and permanent shelters for displaced residents in Marawi City,” USec. Yano added.

Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council said the government will provide shelter units that are culturally and socially acceptable.

“Para po sa temporary at permanent shelters, uunahin po natin yung mga residenteng walang bahay, walang lupa, yung wala talagang mauuwian,” Chairman del Rosario said. “We will develop a township with social services, schools, health centers, and mosques,” he added.

After the TFBM meeting, the national, regional and local officials visited the 11-hectare temporary transitional shelters in Barangay Sagonsongan that will serve as a temporary resettlement for displaced residents of Marawi. The shelter units, to be completed within a month, would accommodate at least 1,200 families.

“The main purpose of building transition shelters is to decongest evacuation centers and to provide them with more conducive areas,” Gov. Hataman said.

The township will have a madrasah, kitchen area and wash room in houses, market, mosque, water supply, and a multi-purpose hall.

The construction of the temporary shelters is part of the task force’s recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation program for the city. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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ARMM tops fisheries production in 2016

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the top fish-producing region in the country in 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

Based on the 2016 Fisheries Situationer released by the PSA, the region produced 824,314.52 metric tons of fisheries products in 2016. The region’s production accounts for 18.93% of the country’s total production at 4,354,472.61 metric tons in 2016. Zamboanga Peninsula followed with 554,769.71 metric tons, and MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Tomblon and Palawan) with 482,790.71 metric tons.

The situationer report presents the data on volume and value of production of fisheries during the period. It contains information on the current situation by major species of the three fisheries subsector, namely: commercial fisheries, municipal fisheries, and aquaculture.

The region is the top producer of roundscad (galunggong) with 24,264.33 metric tons, frigate tuna (tulingan) with 24,815.91 metric tons, Indian mackerel with 10,737.33 metric tons, eastern little tuna (bonito) with 12,994.80 metric tons, and seaweeds with 613,174.28 metric tons.

Janice Desamito-Musali, director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-ARMM, said the high fisheries production of the region could be attributed to different factors.

The region also produces the biggest seaweeds volume in the country. The ARMM’s seaweeds production accounts for 43.66% of the country's total with 1,404,519.23 metric tons. “The coastlines of the islands in the region have wider stretch, which is very suitable for seaweeds farming,” Dir Musali said.

“Good weather conditions, lesser occurrences of ‘ice-ice’ diseases, good quality planting materials and favorable water conditions enhance the growth of seaweeds in our region,” added Dir. Musali.

A total of 159,123 fishermen are operating in the 18,426,613 hectares of territorial water area under the region’s administrative jurisdiction. The fishing grounds in the region include Illana Bay, Moro Gulf, Basilan Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

In 2015 and 2016, the region was also the country’s highest producer of fishery products. The region produced 867,272 metric tons in 2015, and 856,957.27 metric tons in 2014 – a contribution equivalent to 18.65% and 18.27% of national production, respectively.

The region also posted the highest inland fisheries production with 243,134.78 metric tons, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with 126,575.07 metric tons, and Central Luzon with 92,609.51 metric tons.

The Fisheries situationer serves as an output of the four fisheries surveys regularly conducted by the PSA. The surveys are Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey, Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey, Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey and Quarterly Aquaculture Survey. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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ARMM to participate in Budayaw fest of culture and the arts

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will participate in various activities in the upcoming international Budayaw Festival from September 20 to 24 in General Santos City.

Dubbed ‘Budayaw: 2017 Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Festival of Culture and the Arts’, the event will showcase the diversity of creative expressions of cultural masters and artists from the BIMP-EAGA.

Engr. Maritess Maguindra, director of the Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM, said the region will take part in different activities that include a presentation on culture during the Colloquium, presentation of masterpieces of cultural artists, and an exhibit that will feature Muslim Filipino’s rich history and culture.

“Budayaw is a platform and mechanism to bring about cultural appreciation,” Engr. Maguindra said.

Budayaw came from two words 'Budaya,' a Malay term that means culture, and 'Dayaw,' a Filipino word that expresses bounty, beauty, and grace.

“Twenty years of economic cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA led to the realization that culture is an element in the sustainable development of the four countries,” Nestor Horfilla, head of the festival organizing committee, said.

The festival bears the theme ‘Taking Pride in the Creative Diversity of the BIMP-EAGA Region.’ The events in the festival include Photo Exhibit and Colloquium, Visual Arts Exhibit and Workshops, Choral Special Concerts, Country Performance Showcase, Ikat Pavilion and Traditional Virtuosos, BIMP EAGA Tourism Pavilion, Mindanao History and Culture, Community Outreach Showcase, and Special Events and Outdoors Concert.

Engr. Manguindra added that the festival is not only aimed at fostering strong partnership, but also integration among its member countries.

The activity also commemorates the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. It will be attended by more than 300 contemporary artists and indigenous cultural masters in a celebration of 'harmony in diversity.' The creative works from the four countries will be showcased in different venues in General Santos City.

Other agency partners in the holding of the Budayaw Festival include the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, Mindanao Development Authority, Mindanao State University-General Santos, City Government of General Santos, Provincial Government of Sarangani, and the Philippine Information Agency.

The Budayaw is conducted every two years, with hosting rotated among the member countries of the sub-regional grouping. The Budayaw is conducted under the Socio-Cultural and Education Pillar, the newest pillar of the BIMP-EAGA. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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DepEd-ARMM continues to assist schools affected by Marawi crisis

The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) continues to exert to ensure the welfare of the school children and teachers affected by the Marawi crisis.

Alfhadar Pajiji, DepEd-ARMM assistant secretary, said the department will be providing e-learning assistance, psychosocial first aid, and a feeding program for affected school children.

Based on initial damage assessment, schools with buildings partly or totally destroyed due to the armed conflict in Marawi  are Ibango Elementary School, Marawi Pilot Central School, Dangcal Elementary School, Lower Dansalan Elementary School, Dansalan National High School, Raya Madaya Elementary School, Disomangcop Elementary School, Marinaut Central Elementary School, Banggolo Central Elementary School, and Madaya Lilod Elementary School. Damages in these schools were initially estimated at P120 million.

Asec. Pajiji said DepEd-ARMM and the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) signed a Memorandum of Agreement where the design and construction of school buildings was assigned to DPWH-ARMM.

As of July 27, DepEd-ARMM has been operating 11 Temporary Learning Spaces as alternative schools in six municipalities with 3,289 school children and 122 teachers. Around 132 schools with 22,714 students and 2,933 teachers are estimated to have been affected by the Marawi crisis.

The e-learning assistance is a regular project of DepEd-ARMM under its computerization program intended for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantage Areas (GIDA). Secondary schools under GIDA have also been included in the current response to the crisis.

Other assistance to affected schools also includes solar panels with batteries to store power, seven tablets, and a laptop, said Assistant Secretary Pajiji. Distribution of hygiene kits, relief goods, food items and medicine are also part of the initiative.

The department, in coordination with Gawad Kalinga, has also dispensed hot meals to 1,000 school children last July 5. As of the same day, 2,800 have benefited from the program.

Aside from students, 1,400 teachers are also being provided with psychosocial first aid.(Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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Domestic industrial demand pushed cassava production in ARMM up

The Department of Agriculture and Food in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) said cassava production in the region continues to grow due to domestic industrial demand.

Dr. Albert Usman, DAFF-ARMM cassava coordinator, said the provinces of Lanao Del Sur and Maguindanao are the top cassava producers in the region.

Cassava harvested in the two provinces are  sold mainly for industrial consumption while production in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi are generally used for food.

Usman said cassava is considered a crop with high economic potential that can have a significant contribution to the region’s agricultural output.

Cassava is regarded as the third most important food crop in the tropics, after rice and corn. Valued by small-scale farmers for its tolerance to drought and infertile soil, the crop is essentially eco-efficient.

Usman also said that DAF-ARMM, through its Gender and Development (GAD) unit, has conducted a series of training sessions on cassava food processing in Talayan, Guindulungan and Sultan Mastura, towns in Maguindanao.

Such training could expand the livelihood opportunities for residents in rural communities and at the same time boost the production of the crop in the region. The training focused on improving the lives of less-favored sectors of the rural population by means of utilizing available farm crops, like cassava, which is abundant in the region’s agricultural areas.

Participants of the training were taught how to make cassava cake, cassava jelly, cassava puto taktak, and other cassava-based products and delicacies. The program also catered to the needs of the farmers such as giving machinery and cassava graters.

GAD focal person Ramla R. Macatabang said the training was also geared at empowering women and youth to gain basic skills in cassava food processing for entrepreneurial activities, increase their productivity, and to improve family income.

Based on DAF-ARMM data, the training program attracted 148 active participants in the towns of Talayan, Guindulungan, as well as in Sultan Mastura. The training program is currently implemented in the provinces of Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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AFP tightens mechanism to identify terrorists from Marawi civilians

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has strengthened its process of determining gunmen from civilians in the Marawi battle area following reports that some ISIS-inspired terrorists are disguising as trapped civilians wanting to get out of the city.

LtCol Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson of the 1st Infantry Division, said the AFP have instituted a mechanism to determine if escapees or survivors are involved in the hostilities.

Aside from the debriefing, Herrera said they are also collaborating with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on the conduct of paraffin tests.

The police force are also conducting series of investigations to determine the facts.

Herrera said they have identified some persons who were involved in the hostilities since they started their rescue operations for trapped civilians.

According to him, most of them were lured by money unaware of the extent of damage that will happen.

Herrera further said they already strengthened their cordon and defense posture as well as contained the area especially Lake Lanao to block the possible exits of the ISIS-inspired terrorists.

Meanwhile, Herrera appealed to Marawi residents to understand them if they are restricting civilians access to the city.

He said they are doing this to protect the civilians. "We intend to save more lives," he reiterated.

Amid the ongoing battle between the government troops and the ISIS-inspired terrorists, some residents want to return to their homes to get important documents and belongings.

Herrera said they are allowing access especially in cases of emergency or other humanitarian considerations. This is done in partnership with the city and the provincial government. 

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ARMM provides two weeks food supply to displaced families in Marawi

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government will provide two weeks supply of food to more than 33,000 families displaced in the Marawi crisis.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led on July 10, the turnover of an initial 2,500 food packs to the local governments of Lanao del Sur, Marawi City and the town of Saguiaran.

A single food pack contains 25 kilos of rice, a kilo of monggo, fresh and dried fish, 10 canned goods and two dozens of 3-in-1 coffee. It is intended to meet the food requirements of a family of four for at least two weeks.

Hataman said additional deliveries will be made to these LGUs in the coming days to complete the total number of food packs. 

He said they’ve asked the help of the local government units in the distribution of the food packs to ensure that the assistance will reach the beneficiaries as quickly as possible.

The more than 33,000 recipient families of the food packs are the displaced families who are known to be staying in Lanao del Sur, either house-based or in the different evacuation centers. 

Jo Henry, communications officer of the ARMM’s Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (HEART), said the recipient families were identified and evaluated through the Disaster Assistance and Family Access Card (DAFAC) system.

The government is using the DAFAC system to evaluate the status and appropriate needs of affected families and ensure efficient relief distribution. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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Investments in ARMM growing at P3.65 billion in first half of 2017 despite Marawi crisis

Investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) remain resilient, posting a total of P3.65 billion in the first six months of 2017 notwithstanding the conflict in Marawi City that started in the third week of May.

“Despite the Marawi crisis, the investment prospects of ARMM continue to show signs of resilience and dynamism because the crisis area has effectively been contained by the government,” said Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman and managing head of ARMM’s Regional Board of Investments (RBOI).

The first half’s figures reported by the RBOI are higher by almost 74 percent compared with 2016’s total registration of P2.1 billion. The agency has, so far, registered three major projects this year.

The first is the P32-million fish processing and cold storage project of Abing Seafoods and Cold Storage located in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi that addresses the needs of fisher folks in the province to process, store, and preserve their seafood catch. 

Second is the P33.5-million cargo shipping project of J. Sayang Shipping Lines, Inc., which is also based in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, for inter-island trade, as well as, for cross-border shipping with Sabah, Malaysia. Lastly, RBOI approved the P3-billion telecommunications carrier project of TierOne Communications International, Inc. (TierOne) for the region. 

The company’s original plan was to start with a rollout program in Marawi City. Due to the current crisis, however, TierOne had to re-evaluate such plan. The Marawi rollout, company officials said, will still be implemented but in coordination with the rehabilitation and reconstruction program of the government.

In the revised plan, the company said it will first rollout a pilot program by building facilities in the ARMM compound in Cotabato City that would serve the regional agencies. TierOne will eventually cover the entire region with its P3-billion investments noting there remains a provision for expansion and infusion of additional capital as needed.

TierOne’s project will cover cellular service in 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE and broadband wireless internet to homes and enterprises as well as WiFi for public, or common, areas. Chairman Mastura said he expects more investments coming in during the second half of the year.

“We expect banana plantation investments in Maguindanao to continue with hundreds of millions worth to be registered this year with RBOI. There is a port services project worth P100 million, a bulk water treatment project worth around P200 million, and a cacao plantation project that will pour in P1 billion, all of which will hopefully be registered this year,” he added.

RBOI provides fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to ARMM investors. In 2015, the agency registered a total of P6.5 billion, the biggest in the history of the ARMM. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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Government troops regain Dansalan College in Marawi

Photo by Oliver Marquez of PNA

Government security forces have overran another strong lair of the Maute group in Marawi City on July 3.

Col Cirilo Thomas Donato, assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, disclosed in a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Iligan City, that government troops have reclaimed Dansalan College which hosted high rise structures that served as machine gun nests and snipers vantage position of the Maute group.

The troops also recovered .50 caliber machine gun and 14 other high powered firearms.

This brings to 410 total number of firearms recovered by the troops in the clearing operations to neutralize terrorists and criminal elements in the conflict area, he said.

Col Donato further revealed that a cadaver of foreign looking individual believed to be one of the reported foreign fighters from Singapore was also recovered.

He said that 11 suspected foreign fighters have been reportedly killed as of this time.

As the government continues to gain ground against the Maute group, the Management of the Dead and Missing (MDM) cluster of the NEOC has stepped-up efforts for retrieval of dead bodies and human remains, disaster victim identification, and management of the missing and the bereaved families.

Accordingly, teams have been organized and on standby for the retrieval operations while coordination on the identification of temporary burial sites and temporary morgue areas are also on-going.

Welfare desks manned by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were also established in seven evacuation centers to assist displaced individuals looking for their missing relatives. (APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM holds dialogue with youth leaders in Marawi

To address issues facing the youth who are affected by the ongoing crisis in the Islamic City of Marawi, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (ARMM) Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA), in coordination with the National Youth Commission (NYC), conducted a dialogue with youth sector representatives here on July 1.

Participated by 100 youth leaders, the dialogue served as the venue for the youth to voice their thoughts on significant issues and on building stronger and more resilient communities.

Key points raised during the discussion centered on the role of the youth in battling terrorism, discrimination on the Filipino Muslims, scholarships for students, and efforts of the government to help internally displaced persons in the city. During the forum, participants also appealed to NYC Chairperson Aiza Seguerra  to help them spread the message especially on discrimination against Muslims.

“Magkaiba man tayo ng relihiyon lagi nyong tatandaan na we are also against Muslim discrimination, makakaasa po kayo sa suporta ko sa inyo dahil iisa po ang ating mithiin at yun ay ang kapayapaan,” Seguerra said.

Amir Mawallil, executive director of the OBYA, emphasized the need to face the problem of radicalism head on and discussed possible ways to counter the violent ideology of terror groups in the region.

“We need to act and assert more strongly against violence because this cannot be the start of another cycle of displacement,” he said. 

Mawallil also stressed the importance of the voices of the youth against terrorism.

“We need to listen to the voices of youth and understand how we can all better engage in preventing and countering violent extremism in all its various forms,” he further said.

The OBYA and NYC have committed to draft and submit a position paper echoing the youth's demands and proposals for the national government’s rehabilitation plan for Marawi City based on the recently held dialogue. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)

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