Lanao del Sur govt, MSU ink agreement to improve lives of Meranaos

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur enters into a partnership with the Mindanao State University (MSU) System for research projects to uplift the lives of Meranaos.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement by Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong and MSU President Habib W. Macaayong.

The signing, held at the Provincial Capitol in Marawi City on January 30, was also attended by officials from both MSU and the Provincial Capitol.

Under the agreement, MSU will design and supervise a Physical Scaled-Model of Lanao del Sur to rehabilitate endemic fish species in Lake Lanao in order to boost the agri-fishery industry and provide livelihood to the fisherfolks.

MSU will also conduct a  Poverty Incidence Survey and Mapping of households in the province.

Provincial Governor Adiong said the collaboration with MSU reaffirms the strong partnership between the provincial government and the said institution.

She said  thorough research of MSU would help her administration craft realistic policies, plans and programs to bring progress to the Meranaos.

She also thanked President Macaayong for agreeing to be a partner in her quest to achieve development and progress for Lanao del Sur.

President Macaayong said this partnership is historic as it is the first time that both agencies will work together.  

Glad that MSU is extending a helping hand to the provincial government, Macaayong gave his full commitment to the fulfillment of the agreement. (PIO-Lanao del Sur/PIA-10)

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ARMM declares Polloc Freeport and Ecozone as halal hub

Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has officially declared the Polloc Freeport and Ecozone in Parang, Maguindanao as ‘halal hub’, the first truly halal ecozone in the country.

“The ARMM government is continually working to open the possibilities to the halal market in the region as well as in the country that serves as a gateway to the multi-trillion dollar halal industry,” Hataman said.

The declaration of a halal economic zone will attract local and foreign investors to export and import halal products and services.

Aleem Guiapal, ARMM’s economic zone authority (REZA) executive director, said a declared halal ecozone becomes halal-industry ready and industry investments would be fully supported.

Guiapal noted that REZA continues to forge stronger partnerships with potential investors.

Halal is an Arabic word meaning permissible based on Islamic Sharia law and the term can cover both goods – such as foods, drinks, medicines, clothing and cosmetics – and services as well as places.

“We see tremendous opportunities here in the region. So now, we want to differentiate our market on the other economic zones in the Philippines,” Guiapal said.

He said the declaration is considered a medium to attaining the vision of a sustainable ARMM economy.

“We, in Muslim Mindanao, should seize the opportunity as the halal market worldwide is continuously growing,” he said .

Ecozones are selected areas with highly developed, or which have the potential to be developed into, agri-industrial, industrial, tourist/recreational, commercial, banking, investment and financial centers. Having halal ecozones in the ARMM means it would open opportunities to the region as well as to the country for the growing global halal industry.

A worldwide study conducted two years ago by Thomson Reuters in collaboration with Dinar Standard noted the global halal market in 2018 would reach $1.6 trillion with an annual growth rate of 6.9 percent.

Among the potential markets for Mindanao-produced halal foods are Middle East countries, Singapore as well as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines under the East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

With these exciting opportunities, Guiapal said the region is still facing challenges. “We still need to continually capacitate our experts, the halal-certifying bodies and in terms of technical know-how and operations to run a halal hub,” he said.

In the region, outside of the Polloc Freeport, REZA’s list also included the facility of B.J. Coco Oil Mill, a firm operating in ZambongaPeninsula and in Sulu, as an ecozone. Coco Oil Mill’s port, however, is currently not operating.

Other planned ARMM ecozones are located in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Jolo, Sulu; Malabang; Lanao del Sur; Marawi City in Lanao del Sur; and in Basilan.

REZA is mandated to oversee the integration, coordination, planning and monitoring of special economic zones, industrial estate/parks, export processing zones and other economic zones in the ARMM. (BPI/PIA-10)

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ARMM to be culturally sensitive on issue of condom distribution in schools - Hataman

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government will be “culturally sensitive” should the program on the distribution of condoms in schools is implemented in the region, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

The governor made the statement during the ‘Tapatan sa ARMM’, a regular media forum held on  January 26 at the ARMM's seat in Cotabato City.

Secretary Paulyn Ubial of the Department of Health (DOH) earlier said the program will be implemented nationwide this year as part of efforts to stop the increasing number of cases of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among the youth.

The program would be implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), which has expressed reservation on the plan.

In a statement, DepEd said it recognizes the need to stop the surging spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth and  discussions with DOH on this matter will soon be conducted.

In the ARMM, where most places are conservative and people consider sex-related topics taboo, Hataman said the ARMM government will undertake measures to deliberate on the plan.

“Definitely, the ARMM government will be culturally sensitive,”  Hataman said.

He also said Islamic religious leaders such as the Regional Darul 'Ifta, which is the authority on religious and cultural values of Muslims in the region, would be consulted on this issue.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has warned that condom distribution in schools will encourage pre-marital sex among Filipino youth noting it could even condone sexual activity among students.

The DOH has explained that the distribution of condoms will be accompanied by guidelines and measures, and will not be distributed indiscriminately to students.

Those receiving condoms will undergo counseling, and sex education discussions with their parents. Teachers, it noted, will be trained on how to impart lessons on sex education.

In the Philippines, 32,099 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported from 2011 to October 2016. Government data also showed 9,066 HIV/AIDS cases reported during the five-year period were traced to those aged 15 to 25.

The ARMM has remained at the bottom of the DOH’s list of regions with cases of HIV/AIDS. Despite this, the Infectious Diseases Cluster (IDC) of the ARMM’s Health department warned citizens not to be complacent.

“Whether we like it or not, we have HIV cases in the ARMM,” said Soraida Amilil, IDC cluster head. As of October this year, 13 cases of HIV have been reported while none emerged as a full-blown AIDS case.

The region reported two AIDS cases and seven HIV cases in 2014. Since 1984, the region’s Health department has reported a total of 76 cases of HIV while 11 were reported to have led to AIDS.

The DOH has allocated a P1-billion fund for the HIV/AIDS program, with P50 million to P100 million intended for the procurement of condom. The department has launched awareness drives on preventive measures for HIV leading to AIDS. (BPI/PIA-10)

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ARMM embarks on BRIDGe Project to boost business, investments

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is embarking on a project to empower both the communities and businesses to engage in sustainable business enterprises.

Dubbed “Brokering Business Investments in the Bangsamoro to achieve Inclusive Development and Growth” (BRIDGe), the project aims to facilitate the development of Bangsamoro-specific business investment standards and protocols.

It will be implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Hineleban Foundation in collaboration with the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI)-ARMM.

BRIDGe is funded by the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The formal partnership among the players was sealed on January 23, 2017, at the ARMM Manila Liaison Office in Makati City through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PBSP and ARMM Regional Government through RBOI.

The memorandum cites the roles and areas of cooperation of each participant agency for the successful implementation of the project.

PBSP recently conducted a Development Partners’ Meeting with the Program Advisory Committee to generate inputs on the formulation and finalization of the Business Sustainability Framework in Bangsamoro and how to improve the project’s implementation.

Such framework seeks to define the role and behavior of corporations and partner communities that would make agribusiness investments in the Bangsamoro sustainable and responsible.

Lawyer Ishak V. Mastura, chairman and managing head of RBOI, said part of the project outcome will strengthen the capacity of RBOI to facilitate investments in the ARMM, help capacitate local communities to engage in business development, and promote businesses in the region among local and international investors.

“The project is very relevant and timely because this will prepare us, especially on the business aspect, in the possible transition from the present form of government to federalism, which is what the Duterte administration is now pushing in congress,” Mastura said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman expressed his optimism about the project. “In line with the initiative of President Duterte to promote and encourage business investments from big businesses and tycoons to the ARMM, this project will enhance the capacity of our communities to receive those investments,” Gov. Hataman said. (BPI/PIA-10)

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ARMM advocates peace through infra projects in Mamasapano

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) continues to advocate for peace in the region through investing in infrastructure projects that would respond to the needs of the once conflict-inflicted Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.   

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman reiterated that infrastructure projects are also a key to wiping poverty in Mamasapano.   

The encounter between government forces and revolutionary groups in Mamasapano two years ago has been horrific for local residents but the tragedy has become an opportunity for the government to respond to the community’s needs.   

A series of site inspections were conducted to continually identify the needed services of the community for education, health services, and other community welfare services such as water supply and road networks.  

 To help Mamasapano residents improve their lives, the regional government has earmarked P667 million for infrastructure to be constructed within the municipality, including high-impact projects.   

These projects provide greater impacts in the community including: opportunity for economic growth and community connectivity through intra-barangay and inter-barangay roads;  job opportunities for construction workers;  better education and learning experiences through school building projects; greater access to government services through community health centers; and lesser threat of water-borne and sanitation caused diseases through water sanitation and water supply projects, among others. 

Different programs and instrumentalities of the ARMM government have poured investments in conflict-inflicted towns such as the ARMM’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS), and ARMM’s Humanitarian and Development Action Plan (ARMM-HDAP).   

ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative of the regional government and is regarded as the centerpiece of the Hataman administration. In Mamasapano alone, ARMM-HELPS implemented various projects in Barangay Tukanalipao and Barangay Libutan.   

In Barangay Tukanalipao, projects worth roughly P8 million were completed including construction of health center, water sanitation, barangay hall, community learning center and solar drier.   While in Barangay Libutan, P9-million worth of projects are still on-going such as the renovation of a health center, construction of barangay hall, market, water system, and community learning center.   

To date, the construction of one storey two-classroom units in Hadji Kalaing Elementary School and Hadji Salik Kalaing National High School as well as the construction of Tukanalipao footbridge and concreting of Tukanalipao access road has been completed.  

 “Other infrastructure projects in Mamasapano are still on-going,” Engr. James Mlok, head of ARMM’s 2nd district engineering office said.   

Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS executive director, said Governor Hataman wants an increase not only in infrastructure investments in Mamasapano but also livelihood programs.   

“Due to the incident, the governor together with the concerned line agencies formulated a comprehensive plan that will immediately aid the needs of the people in the area. It encompasses not just Mamasapano but also its neighboring areas,” said Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Regional Planning and Development Office executive director and ARMM- HDAP project manager.   

The ARMM-HDAP primarily focuses on providing humanitarian assistance and various government initiatives relative to development such as livelihood, infrastructure, health facilities, education, and others. (BPI/PIA-10) 

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Ayala Foundation, LGU-Marawi ink MOA for a community-based rehab center

Photo credit to Philippine Information Agency - NCR

A two-storey unused building in Brgy. Poblacion, here, will soon house recovering drug dependents in the province.

The  Ayala Foundation, Inc.  has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Marawi City Government on Tuesday, January 24, for the establishment of the drug rehabilitation facility.

To be called Siyapen, which is the Maranao word for care, the center will occupy an existing two-storey building owned by the Marawi City government with a total floor area of 851 sq.m. and lot area of 2,000 sq.m.

The Ayala Foundation will oversee the refurbishment of the structure through its construction arm, Makati Development Corporation (MDC).

MDC will work on the facility from January to April 2017 and will turnover the center to the city government once completed. Ayala will also provide seed funding for the first year of operations.

Siyapen Center will have 70 beds for in-patient treatment but will also be able to accommodate drug dependents undergoing outpatient care.

This community-based treatment and care center seeks to provide a space that encourages physical wellness and social integration. It allows drug dependents to have better access to family and other forms of social support which are crucial to their recovery.

The center will also provide other therapeutic activities such as exercise and group sessions. Its proximity to a mosque will further open up opportunities for spiritual counseling.

Photo credit to Philippine Information Agency - NCR

"We believe that the Siyapen Center will contribute significantly to the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents in ARMM, primarily in Marawi City," said Ruel Maranan, president of Ayala Foundation.

"In building Siyapen, we hope to provide a space where person-centered recovery is made first priority, thereby paving the way for meaningful reintegration into society," he added.

The construction of the Siyapen Center is part of Ayala Foundation's continuing development efforts in Mindanao.

"The Siyapen Drug Rehabilitation Center is our way of addressing another challenge Mindanao faces, and of responding to the national government's call for private sector support in addressing the drug problem, said Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation and co-chairman of Ayala Foundation.

The Philippine National Police reported at least 123 persons arrested for suspicion of drug-related involvement in Marawi City as of November 22, 2016. At least 471 persons have voluntarily surrendered to the local police.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra is elated that after requesting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for a drug rehabilitation center a month ago, he is finally seeing the answer to his request, through the help of the Ayala Foundation.

Photo credit to Philippine Information Agency - NCR

"I believe we are making great progress. Let us give our all-out support to the fight against illegal drugs," Gandamra said in his speech.

Provincial Governor Soraya A. Adiong thanked the Ayala Foundation for  partnering with the local government in the drive against drug proliferation in the province.

She said the MOA signing made her feel more inspired and determined to continuously eradicate the drug menace affecting not only the province but the entire Philippines.

When the governor assumed office, she crafted her 9-Point Agenda of Governance which included the eradication of the use of illegal drugs. She also ordered the conduct of a Provincial Anti-Drug Awareness Orientation for the youth where young people were educated on the ill-effects of substance use and abuse.

The provincial government also plans to bring down the program to the municipal and barangay levels this year to reach a larger constituents. (APB/PIA-10)

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PSA updates ARMM on PH statistical dev't program

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted a forum on Wednesday, January 24, in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional seat to update ARMM constituents on the 2011-2017 Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP).
 
National Statistician and PSA head Lisa Grace Bersales said there is gradual decline in poverty incidence in the region but the figure is lower than what was expected by the ARMM regional government.

Based on data covering 2014-2015, poverty incidence in the region was estimated at 48.2 percent close to figures monitored in previous years.

“The basis of our poverty statistics is income, and incomes of households respond very slowly to the interventions; but I feel that it’s a good start,” said Bersales.

“Poverty statistics is the most controversial because poverty is multi-dimensional, very complex situation, and our official poverty statistics for now focuses on one dimension, which is income,” she said.

She said that the government interventions to trickle down to household level income take much time and this is the reason for the disappointment sometimes of local governments on the poverty statistics that PSA releases.

In recognition of this, Bersales said the PSA listens and knows the needs of their partners and try to address these needs as much as possible.

“We hope to develop multi-dimensional statistics which will capture the improvements in health and education, not just the income statistics,” she said.

During the forum, PSA-ARMM regional director Abubakar Asaad stressed the importance of data in the regional government’s planning.

The PSDP activity here was described as a regional dissemination forum that also provided updates on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for both the ARMM and Soccsksargen or Region 12.

Candido Astrologo, assistant national statistician, discussed highlights of the PSDP while Wilma Guillen, assistant national statistician for the social sector statistics service, provided the overview for the SDGs.

As of latest official statistics, ARMM has a total population of 3,781,387 in 116 municipalities, and 2,490 barangays.

From 2014 to 2015, the region registered an economic growth of 5.3 percent  in terms of Gross Regional Domestic Product.

Meanwhile, lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM Executive Secretary, said Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman is delighted with the presence of the PSA at the region’s seat.

She said Gov. Hataman looks forward that with the help of the PSA, ARMM can set its direction, thrust and priorities in strengthening statistical development in the region.

The mere presence of PSA in the city, Sec. Alamia added, signals that ARMM is now getting timely and relevant data on the different sectors of the region.

Prior to the Hataman administration, there has been no established communication between the PSA and the regional government, she said.(BPI/PIA-10)

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ARMM finalizes draft for Regional Development Plan 2017-2022.

Members of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Development Administration Committee (RDAC) convened on  January 20, 2017 to finalize the draft for the four chapter entries of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022.

The RDAC will then submit the enhanced four-chapter draft to the Regional Economic Development Planning Board (REDPB) to form part of the RDP.

The committee, chaired by the regional Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) , is responsible for planning strategic steps to ensure the attainment of the development outcomes of the sectors in good governance, peace order and safety, access to justice, and fiscal policy.

Along with the RDAC, the Regional Economic Development Committee, Regional Infrastructure Development Committee, Regional Admnistration Development Committee, and the Regional Social Development Committee, are also finalizing their designated entries to the RDP.

The RDP, as the regional counterpart of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), is consistent with the national plan of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to establish foundations for inclusive growth, high trust society and globally competitive economy.

The regional plan will form part of the Annexes to the PDP, covering the six-year term of President Rodrigo Duterte, and is set to be released this February.

The PDP shall focus on regional, infrastructure, agriculture, and culture development and the strategies of the government in attaining the long-term vision and socio-economic agenda of the Duterte administration, as well as the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.  (BPI/PIA-10)

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ARMM convenes network of regional IOs

The  Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) convened for the first time this year its Guild of Information Officers convened for the first time this year, at the Bajau Hall, Office of the Regional Governor, Tuesday, January 17, 2017.

The major plans of the Guild for this year including the conduct of skills enhancement trainings for all information officers, the election of its new sets of officers, and the re-branding of the ARMM government messaging were discussed during the meeting.

The Guild also plans to conduct enhancement trainings on technical and news writing, social media use and campaign, and the effective ways of communication.

ARMM Bureau of Public Information OIC Executive Director Cris Gaerlan challenged the Guild members to strategically communicate the reforms in the region in a unified and consistent manner. 

Gaerlan said all ARMM agencies’ messaging must be anchored and related to the regional government’s primary goal this year – poverty alleviation and the attainment of peace and security.

The ARMM Guild of Information Officers is a society of information and public relation officials who work together on the development of their specific crafts on communication. (BPI/PIA-10)

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Lanao del Sur PDRRMC conducts damage assesment in 6 flooded towns

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held an emergency meeting early morning today, January 17, 2016, following a heavy downpour yesterday that flooded the municipalities of Ramain, Taraka, Kapai, Poona Bayabao, Maguing, and Balabagan, and are set to conduct a Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in the said towns afterwards.

The Provincial Administrator led the said meeting with representatives from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Engineering Office, Accounting Office and Provincial Information Office.

Governor Soraya Alonto Adiong has ordered and sent five teams for a visual assessment of the areas affected by the low pressure area and tail-end of a cold front that has also devastated other partd of Northern Mindanao.

Immediate assistance is said to be immediately given to the affected communities.

According to Col. Tatar Boriongan of PDRRMO, there was an estimated Php10M worth of damages in both agricultural and residential properties.

ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD-ARMM) also arrived today to help in the RDANA according to PDRRMO assistant head Saripada Pacasum.

Pacasum also stated that of the latest data from the ground, in Kapai, there is no casualty reported although there are numerous damaged properties like houses and school buildings. The official count on affected households is still to come from the respective MDRRMOs.

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ARMM gov’t. to prioritize poverty alleviation in 2017

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government will focus on poverty alleviation in the region this year.

In a media forum dubbed Tapatan sa ARMM, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said there is a P4-billion allocation for various programs and projects aimed at eliminating hunger and malnutrition in the region. 

Governor Hataman also responded to various issues affecting the ARMM as well as policies of President Rodrigo Duterte specifically on the war against illegal drugs and criminality and its effects in the region.

He also expressed full support to the President’s initiative to eliminate illegal drugs and criminality in the country.

With regards to terror threats and drug-related violence, Governor Hataman disclosed that the 6^th Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police have intensified security measures and will definitely be on top of the situation, along with the regional government’s support, to ensure peace and order stability in the region.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the ARMM at the provincial levels are also on high alert after the recent jailbreak in North Cotabato involving high-profile inmates, the regional governor said.

The local government units of areas where the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) operates have created teams led by the Cooperative Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture to implement productivity activities aimed at helping local communities, including families of ASG members, he further said.

Governor Hataman also clarified the cause of delay in the release of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) payouts that sometimes take as long as five months.

“Ang control ng Department of Social Welfare of Development (DSWD) sa ARMM at regional government ay monitoring lamang, kahit mag huhumiyaw ang DSWD-ARMM at ang regional government na bayaran na, kung walang paper for the contractor to pay it, walang mangyayari,” he said.

DSWD-ARMM has already scheduled a meeting with the DSWD central office to discuss about the technical problems the program is facing and to clear out issues on inconsistencies.

As to the economy, the regional government is expecting this year around the same level as 2016’s investment inflow.

He said his administration is looking at inviting more job-generating investments this year to provide more opportunities to his constituents. (BPI/PIA-10)

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