Weaving Project

Did you know that Langkit is a tapestry which distinguishes Maranao landap from other tubular garments or malong. What makes the langkit stand out are the distinctive geometric designs or okir. These loom weavers are from Brgy. Dayawan in Marawi City, recipients of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of Task Force Bangon Marawi.

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ARMM strengthens organic farming practices promotion

Over 400 farmers, agricultural extension workers, students, and other stakeholders convened for a two-day Organic Agriculture Congress in Cotabato City to strengthen the advocacy and promotion of organic agriculture in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM’s Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) Secretary Alexander Alonto said the congress is a good venue for the farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in the region to be informed on organic food production, modern farming methods, and business opportunities related to organic farming.

“This is to attain over-all agricultural growth and development,” Alonto emphasized adding that the activity will also be a platform to address issues concerning organic farming.

Alonto explained that organic farming enriches the fertility of soil, increases farm productivity, reduces destruction of the environment, and protects the health of farmers and consumers. 

During the event, DAF-ARMM also gave recognition to farmers who have made significant contributions in the promotion and development of organic agriculture industry in the region. 

The achievers in this field include Abdulhalim Alih from Sulu, who was hailed as the region’s best agricultural extension worker. He received Php20,000 in cash prize.

Pheparassan Macapodi from Lanao del Sur bagged the most outstanding farmer in the individual category receiving Php50,000; while the Busikong Greenland Multipurpose Cooperative in Maguindanao was awarded the most outstanding small farmer association in the group category and was given Php100,000 in cash prize.

Macapodi, 52, said that aside from the health benefits of organic farming, it also helps in reducing production costs because expensive chemicals and fertilizers are no longer needed in the farming process.

She also encouraged other farmers who still use chemicals to shift to organic farming.

With the transition of the ARMM to the new Bangsamoro entity, Alonto said the regional government is confident that the farmers will apply the best organic agriculture practices leading to the development and advancement of the region’s organic farming industry.

Meanwhile, the public may avail of fresh produce and processed organic products from the different provinces in the region in an exhibit and trade fair that opened on Thursday, October 18, inside the Office of the Regional Governor compound in Cotabato City.  (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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Kathanor

Did you know that Kathanor is a profiling survey spearheaded by Task Force Bangon Marawi aimed at collecting the number, location, and status of IDP returnees to help the Philippine government improve its delivery of services and design better programs and projects for the recovery of Marawi City.

Here's are some snapshots during the Kathanor in Brgys. Hinaplanon, Mahayahay, and Bagong Silang in Iligan City.

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MMC donates rural health center, facilities to Marawi

Photo by AFP

The Makati Medical Center Foundation, in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Marawi City Government will construct a rural health center in Barangay Sagonsongan in this city.

According to 549 Engineering Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Jonjie Juguilon of the Joint Task Group Builders (JTG Builders), the rural health center will be equipped with a complete community package of facilities including mosque, school and provide health and medical services to the displaced communities of the Marawi siege.

“The rural health center is basically intended to provide services to the residents residing at the temporary shelters in Barangay Sagonsongan,” Juguilon said.

The project of the Makati Medical Center Foundation will also provide for the complete medical equipment and training component for medical professionals who will be manning the said center.

The military officer also said that AFP is committed to help in the realization of the project, noting that the military engineering brigade will immediately work on the construction of the rural health center right after the concreting of the development site.

LGU-Marawi City will take charge of the preparations of ground work for the construction of the center.

The rural health facility is expected to be completed by next month, “It will take around three weeks to construct the building,” Juguilon stated.

Juguilon expressed optimism on the essence of the health project that will give health services and medical treatment to the residents who are in need most affected by the armed-conflict in Marawi.

“We are not just doing this para lang sa isang mission pero talagang it’s a personal conviction naming, parang personal battle namin na talagang we should be sincere in helping the people in Marawi”, he said.

He also assured the residents of the related services from the military troops.

“Hanggang may nangangailangan, tutulong tayo. Kaya, at your service across the land yung commitment naming at hindi matatapos sa rehabilitasyon ang serbisyo natin, mahaba pa ito, hangga’t hindi pa tayo nakakapag-create ng environment that is conducive to economic growth. That’s the ultimate goal ng philippine army”, he added. (PIA ICCC)

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ARMM holds 'Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Konsyumer' Summit

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) conducted a three-day Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Konsyumer (TNKK) summit from October 9 to 11 as part of this year’s Consumer Welfare Month celebration.

DTI-ARMM Secretary Lawyer Anwar Malang said the TNNK summit was aimed at discussing consumer protection and promote business, emphasizing the smart and proper investment of money.

The first day of the summit covered topics on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Consumer Act, Price Act, Suggested Retail Price, Senior Citizens Act, Franchise Business Opportunities, and fair trade-related laws.

Sustainable Business and Financial Empowerment sessions were also held, including education on the new currency facilitated by members of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development during the second day.

Opportunities in the coconut, coffee, and abaca industries were discussed in the last day.

Meanwhile, Hannadi Mundas, 19, a marketing management student from Notre Dame University who attended the sessions, said she learned how to invest and the process of starting-up a business.

Jahara Ngindig, 33, an employee of the region’s Interior and Local Government department, said the lectures were helpful to her, especially since she is among those who will be affected when the new government comes in.

Other parallel activities were conducted simultaneously during the three-day summit such as jobs fair, skills and training seminars, and business and educational fora.

The Consumer Welfare Month is celebrated in October pursuant to Proclamation No. 1098, Series of 1997. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA10)

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DepEd ARMM pays tribute to teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) paid tribute to the region’s teachers during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

This year’s observance has become more meaningful for hundreds of teachers in the region whose lives were in danger for several months last year.

When the war in Marawi erupted in 2017, schools inside the city had to shut down and living in and near conflict areas have become very risky.

For Mona Miscille Domato, 38, the saying “Teachers are the students’ second parents” hit her hard during the Marawi siege.

As a teacher of Sugod Central Elementary School in Marawi, Mona recounts the effects of the siege for her and her students.

“Schools were closed down during the siege, but I urged my fellow teachers to continue our classes. If the students will be left home, their minds may be corrupted by the war," she said. 

True enough, almost every student talked about the number of bombs that dropped in the city daily.

A mother of nine children, Mona said she treats her students as her own. During the siege, she also felt the pain her students manifested. “Many of my students were hungry and helpless. I also felt the hunger and the pain of these children," she said. 

Instead of being pulled down by negativity, she took the situation as an inspiration to serve as the students’ second mother.

Continuing their classes despite the siege to provide safe spaces for children, she turned their classrooms into a ‘fun zone,’ allowing her students to talk about the ongoing war casually.

“It allowed us to process all our thoughts. Having an all-Muslim class, we also reflected on the teachings of Islam – that inflicting harm to others is not Islamic,” she said.

By providing a space where students can be ‘afraid’ together, she also found a strong sense of family. “We made a strong support system among ourselves,” she further said.

Now that the war in Marawi is over, she is thankful that her students no longer have to be afraid of their security.

She said that the student population in Sugod Central Elementary School grew this school year because of the influx of children of evacuees from other villages.

“Mas madami na ang mga anak ko ngayon (I have more children now.) I’m more inspired to teach now because despite what happened last year, we remained strong as a community. That’s the key to teaching, when you treat your students as your own, you stand by them through their ups and downs. You become excited for their future,” she said.

A teacher for 16 years, Mona is proud to have produced professionals from her former students.

“My heart is full everyday knowing that the students I have today will give back to our community in the future,” she added. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

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