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 6th 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)
No comments