OPAPRU’s Duyog Ramadan delivers rice aid to transitory sites

About 197 families in Dulay Proper temporary shelter benefit from the rice distribution of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) through its Duyog Ramadan program. (Michael John Paclar/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--In line with the celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) through its Duyog Ramadan program and in close coordination with the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) delivered sacks of rice to internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently situated in temporary shelters. 

Such an initiative benefited at least 197 households from Dulay Proper transitory shelter Wednesday, April 27.

Prior to this, some 119 families residing in Bakwit village in the municipality of Matunggao in the province of Lanao del Norte who also became fire victims in the previous month received their share Tuesday, April 26.

With the effort of the program, recipients conveyed their gratitude to the OPAPRU, stating that this is timely especially since they need food for this month. 

“Maraming maraming salamat… Talagang masaya kami. Talagang tinutulungan nila ang Dulay Proper kasi talagang mahirap dito... Talagang nakakaiyak ang pagbigay ng [OPAPRU]. Sila ang first time na nagbigay sa amin sa Ramadan,” said IDP Hadja Noronisa Abdullah from Dulay Proper transitory shelter.

[Thank you so much… We are really happy. They are really helping us here in Dulay Proper because it is so difficult here… I really want to cry with the giving of [OPAPRU]. They are the first ones to give to us during Ramadan.]

Omar Mondas who is a displaced person at the same site expressed his gratefulness as well as looked forward to the end of Ramadan with rice already.

“Manalamat kami sa [OPAPRU] at sa lahat. Ang tulong ninyo ay importante sa amin para sa Eidul-Fitr. Manalamat kami sa nakuha naming rice,” he said.

[We would like to thank OPAPP and everyone. Your help is important to us for the Eidul-Fitr. We are thankful for the rice we received.]

 

Dulay Proper transitory shelter IDP Sittienor Pascan Macadaub, on the other hand, extended her delightedness noting that the sacks of rice will ease their struggle with the absence of sufficient livelihood among residents in the area. 

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa [OPAPRU] sa bigay nila sa amin. Malaking tulong ito sa aming mga nakatira dito sa Dulay kasi walang business dito. Wala kaming kabuhayan dito. Nahihirapan kami dito. Sa ibinigay na rice, talagang makakatulong ito. Nagpapasalamat kami talaga… Malaking tulong ito kasi buwan ng Ramadan. Ito lang ang natanggap naming blessing,” she said. 

We are thanking [OPAPRU] for what they have given to us. This is a big help for us living here in Dulay because there are no businesses here. We do not have a livelihood here. We are having difficulty here. With the rice given, it can really help us. We are really thankful… This is a big help because it is the month of Ramadan. This is the only blessing that we received.]

Apart from the rice aid, the OPAPRU likewise spearheaded a peace conversation for the residents to address their issues and concerns on the ground while an Iftar was hosted afterward. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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103rd BDE gets partners’ full support for secured elections

103rd Infantry Brigade commanding office BGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II says they gained the all-out support of their partner stakeholders in securing orderly and peaceful polls in May this year. (Michael John Paclar/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The 103rd Infantry Brigade (Bde) of the Philippine Army here bared that it was able to secure the backing of its partner stakeholders for successful and peaceful upcoming national and local elections this year. 

Brigade commanding officer BGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II shared that they have convened with the Commission on Elections together with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Department of Education (DepEd), and religious leaders, among others to discuss election-related matters which turned out positively, gaining full support.

“They understand the importance and sacredness itong right to vote ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Lanao del Sur and sabi nga nila, tutulong kami na mapasiguro natin na ang mga tao ay makaboto with the absence of threat and violence. Iyon ang tulong nila sa atin dito sa elections,” he said. 

[They understand the importance and sacredness of the right to vote of our fellowmen here in Lanao del Sur and according to them, they will help to assure that people will vote in the absence of threat and violence. That is their contribution to us in the elections.]

Cuerpo added that he had also privately talked with aspirants to help in securing peace in the elections. 

He also said they will establish a provincial election monitoring action center (PEMAC) composed of the COMELEC, MNLF, MILF and local radio organizations to cover most, if not the whole, province.

With the all-out support committed by the partners, the commanding officer firmly assures the upholding of their mandate which is to ensure peace in the elections.

“This is the first time na magkakaroon tayo ng eleksyon na BARMM ang maghahandle [that we will have the elections that the BARMM will handle], under the BARMM government. This is a challenge to all of us, including ang [the] BARMM officials, to make sure that iyong elections natin sa [our elections in] Lanao del Sur will be peaceful … This will be part of the history of Lanao del Sur. Kung magkaroon ito ng magandang [If this will produce a good] result, [they] will become part of the history of making that important change dito sa [here in] Lanao del Sur because these elections mean the future of Lanao del Sur,” he said.

As of the moment, the brigade is monitoring areas with a history of election-related violence, and perceived and hotly contested places but no threats are yet received.

It has also started to carry out election responsibilities such as the transporting of election paraphernalia to selected municipalities. In the coming days, the troop here will be accordingly augmented with additional forces coming from its division. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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LDS PNP calls for public’s cooperation for peaceful polls

Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office Director PCol. Christopher Panapan urges the public to cooperate with the security sector to ensure a peaceful 2022 election. (Michael John Paclar/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The Philippine National Police (PNP) here in the province strongly urged the public to cooperate with the authorities, much more with the security sector, with the national and local elections drawing near. 

Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office Director PCol. Christopher Panapan stressed that while his personnel alongside the military will do their best to assure the orderliness of the situation during the day, the success and peace of the elections will still depend significantly on the effort of the residents impacting the conduct of the activity, whether or not they will be up for chaos brought by their feelings for some candidates.

He emphasized that what causes disorder in Lanao del Sur are mostly the residents themselves, thus, the call for their partnership with the security forces, and the urge to start within themselves the peace they desire to be upheld in the event proper.

Panapan further conveyed that it is time for the coming polls to manifest a change through having no record of failure of elections.

“It is not the sole responsibility of the security sector. Remember, security is everybody’s concern. If we seek protection, we should also protect ourselves… Kailangan natin magcooperate at magkaisa tayo. Ipakita natin na ang Lanao del Sur ay nagbago na at pagdating ng eleksyon, hindi na gaya noong mga nakaraan na eleksyon na mayroong failure of elections. Dapat itong eleksyon natin na darating comes May 9, dapat maging successful at mapayapa,” he said. 

We need to cooperate and unite. Let us show that Lanao del Sur has changed and during the elections, it is not the same as in the past when there was a failure of elections. The elections on May 9 must be successful and peaceful.]

Panapan earlier stated that they have already prepared their deployment plan for the security of their area but its finality was affected by a letter issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) requesting special electoral boards considering that some of the teachers refused to be at service.

As such, some PNP personnel has to be trained accordingly to serve in place of the declining teachers, which will entail a consequence in their initial deployment plan.

“The PNP and AFP can secure Lanao del Sur. But, the COMELEC has sent us a letter with regards to the problem of the electoral boards. Kapag iyong personnel natin magseserve as electoral boards, mavavacate kung saan sila nakadeploy to serve as security [If our personnel will serve as electoral boards, where they will be supposed to be deployed to serve as security personnel would be vacated]. So, we need augmentation. For sure, our regional office will augment us here in Lanao del Sur,” said Panapan. 

Additional challenges cited by the provincial director were the communication signal and the power supply, noting that the elections will be spearheaded until 7:00 in the evening. 

He underscored that they will look into this and be given attention as these will still contribute to the whole process.

Panapan said currently the PNP here has not yet recorded election-related incidents. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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Lanao Sur police officers prepare to act as electoral boards

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Police officers here in the province are preparing to step in to perform election duties if there are no available teachers in the precincts during election day.

Police Provincial Director PCol. Christopher Panapan said some police officers have been undergoing training as Electoral Board members after they received a letter from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) requesting special electoral boards (EBs) from the Philippine National Police (PNP) because some teachers have declined to serve during the elections.

Under Republic Act 10756, Comelec requires public school teachers to serve as members of the board of election inspectors, now called electoral boards,  “in cases where the peace and order situation so requires as determined by the Commission and where no qualified voters are willing to serve," the police may be authorized to take the role as a last resort.

With this development, Panapan said the deployment plan that they already crafted will now change as some of the police officers included in the security deployment will act as EBs.

"The PNP and AFP, they can secure Lanao del Sur, but kapag yung personnel natin ay nagserve as electoral board mavavacate yung kung saan sila nakadeployed to serve security [if our personnel will serve as electoral boards, the area where they were deployed to provide security will be vacated]," he said.

However, Panapan is optimistic that the PNP of the Bangsamoro region will provide additional forces as an augmentation to the province.

Meanwhile, the provincial police director has called on the candidates and voting populace in the province to cooperate with the security forces to ensure a safe and orderly election. 

He emphasized that the PNP and AFP are determined to serve the election to make it as safe as possible and successful but this would largely depend on the cooperation of the community and the candidates. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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MCSD gears for 100% opening of F2F classes in September

The Marawi City Schools Division gears towards the 100% opening of the schools' in-person classes. Currently, 13 schools have already started the physical classes. (Nowie D. Bantuas/Sultan Conding Elementary School)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The Marawi City Schools Division (MCSD) is readying for the full opening of in-person classes in the coming September this year. 

City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto bared that the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro region has been targeting the same goal to be pursued.

“We gear towards a hundred percent opening of our classes by September wherein MBHTE wanted a hundred percent opening of our classes because the last two years brought learning losses to our children who were affected by the two-year pandemic,” she said.

Unte-Alonto shared that currently, 13 permanent schools have already welcomed the limited face-to-face classes with the expansion last April 17 and their simulation exercise beforehand came out successful. 

She said that so far, there had been no reported illnesses that have affected their learners and teachers. 

With the positive result of the limited physical classes, the superintendent extended its gratitude to MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal for his support, giving P50,000 to the 13 identified recipient schools which qualified in the tests to open the controlled in-person classes.

Now, the MCSD is also up for the annual activity of the Department of Education which is the early registration of enrollees for the upcoming school year 2022-2023. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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MBHTE-BARMM eyes to attain moral governance during NLE 2022

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--As this year’s national and local election (NLE) is fast approaching, the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is now equipping its personnel for their appropriate responsibilities and to display moral governance during the activity.

Marawi City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto shared that MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal had called them a few months ago to issue further directives considering that it will be the first time for the national and local polls to be spearheaded under the existence of the BARMM. 

“Our minister said that we wanted to show that we are gearing forward moral governance by really discharging the mandates well in this coming election without irregularities and upholding the honest, peaceful and orderly elections this coming NLE 2022,” she said.

Unte-Alonto detailed that her division is already preparing for their roles through undergoing training, including the refresher course for the “dos and don’ts” on election day, and taking an examination conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to evaluate the capability and qualification of the teachers to stand as electoral boards (EBs).

“The City Schools Division of Marawi’s Electoral Boards is very much ready. From the very beginning, we try to see it better by really following the guidelines of COMELEC,” she said. 

Overall, 450 MCSD teachers are now set to act as EBs and 33 as division election supervising officers for the readied 33 polling precincts.(CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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Marawi schools division ready for May 9 elections

Marawi Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto says they are ready for the May 9 national and local elections. (Michael John Paclar/PIA Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The City Schools Division of Marawi (CSDM) is now ready for the May 9 national and local elections.

Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto said teachers and non-teaching personnel of the CSDM with poll duties were provided with technical assistance and have undergone a series of training for electoral boards (EBs) including a refresher course on the dos and don'ts of the May 9 polls.

"They also took an exam in partnership with COMELEC and DOST for them to check if they are really capable and qualified to stand as EBs," she said.

Alonto said a total of 450 teachers will serve as members of electoral boards and 33 will serve as supervising officials in 33 polling precincts of the city.

The SDS also disclosed that have been instructed by the Bangsamoro region's education minister to forward moral governance come May 9 considering that it will be the first time for the Bangsamoro region under the BARMM government to participate in a national election. 

This by discharging their mandate well in this coming elections without irregularities and upholding honest, peaceful, and orderly polls. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur).

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Army all set to secure polls in Lanao del Sur

103rd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II assures the voting public in Lanao del Sur that his troops are ready to ensure the safety of voters in the province during the elections next month. (Michael John Paclar/PIA Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army assured that they are ready to ensure the safety of voters in the province during the elections next month.

Brigade commander BGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II said they have repositioned some of their forces to ensure strong security protection for the May 9 national and local elections. In addition, augmentation forces from the Tabak Division will also be coming to the province to help them secure the conduct of elections.

He said they are also setting their sights on places with a history of election-related violence as well as those hotly contested places.

"Sa mga contested places nakikipag-usap naman ako dun sa mga kandidato privately and ask them for their support na maging successful and peaceful itong election [in contested places, I talked to the candidates privately and ask for their support to make this election successful and peaceful],"  he said.

Acknowledging the possibility of an influx of flying voters, Cuerpo said he already instructed the Brigade's lower units to implement measures to prevent flying voters from entering the province.

"(Sa mga flying voters) I hope wag na nilang gawin ito, underwise magkakaproblema sila kung papasok sila dito sa [To the flying voters, I hope they won't do this, underwise they will have problems if they enter] Lanao del Sur," he warned.

The Brigade commander further disclosed that they have ample forces ready to serve as a quick reaction force for areas that may experience sparks of small election violence.

Meanwhile, some of its forces are deployed to secure the transportation of election paraphernalia to selected municipalities in the province which started Tuesday, April 26. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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Lanao Sur to inoculate 50,250 residents on special vax days

Photo by MOH-BARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The province of Lanao del Sur targets to vaccinate more than 50,000 residents in the coming Bangsamoro special vaccination days next month.

Dr. Ameril Usman, director-general of the Ministry of Health (MOH), said in a press conference that the province committed to inoculate 50,250 individuals from May 16 to May 20 as part of the regionwide drive to make the unvaccinated in the province seek COVID-19 jabs.

The MOH official said the target vaccinees will come from areas with low vaccination turnout. These include the municipalities of Malabang, Lumba Bayabao, Masiu, Marantao, Maguing, Bayang, Balindong, Ganassi, Tugaya, Balabagan, Madalum, Piagapo, Tamparan, Binidayan, Bacolod-Kalawi, Saguiaran, Taraka, Kapai, and Lumbatan.

The city government of Marawi also pledged 12,900 jabs for the special vaccination days covering IDP shelters and host communities as well as barangays Dimalna, Lomidong, Cabingan, Biaba Damag, Rapasun, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Bangon.

Meanwhile, OIC Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas reminded the different Integrated Provincial Health Offices in the region that although they have committed targets, they should not only focus on accomplishing this commitment but rather try to reach more unvaccinated individuals. "Dapat ang reference ay yung target number of unvaccinated not yung committed [our reference should be the target number of unvaccinated, not the commitment]," he emphasized. 

The target 60% of the unvaccinated in Lanao del Sur is 353,672 individuals while 17,945 for Marawi City. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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29 areas in Lanao del Sur targeted for special vax days

Photo by MOH-BARMM

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Around 29 areas in Lanao del Sur with low vaccination coverage are targeted for the 'special vaccination days' in the Bangsamoro region next month, according to the region's Ministry of Health (MOH).

OIC Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas said the areas that will be covered in the province are the municipalities of Malabang, Lumba Bayabao, Masiu, Marantao, Maguing, Bayang, Balindong, Ganassi, Tugaya, Balabagan, Madalum, Piagapo, Tamparan, Binidayan, Bacolod-Kalawi, Saguiaran, Taraka, Kapai, and Lumbatan.

For Marawi City, the target areas are IDP shelters and host communities as well as barangays Dimalna, Lomidong, Cabingan, Biaba Damag, Rapasun, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Bangon.

Abas said the special vaccination days in BARMM will be conducted on May 16-20, 2022 to increase the vaccination coverage in the region.

According to him, despite the efforts and the conduct of daily inoculation, the vaccination coverage in the region is still at 28% of the target population. They attributed this to vaccine hesitancy among the Bangsamoro people especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

"Yung iba medyo violent pa yung opposition at reaction sa pagbabakuna [the others are quite violent in their opposition and reaction to the vaccination]," he said in a press conference Monday, April 25.

Meanwhile, Abas warned unvaccinated Bangsamoro of the possibility of an outbreak in the region if herd immunity will not be attained.

"Kapag hindi na reach (herd immunity) ay posibleng magkaroon ng outbreak dito sa atin dahil konti lang ang nabakunahan [if the herd immunity is not reached, it is possible to have an outbreak here as only few have been vaccinated]," he said.

With this, the health minister renewed his call for unvaccinated Bangsamoro people to get vaccinated and be protected against Covid-19. He emphasized that the protection is not only for themselves but also for their families and the community as a whole. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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Lanao Sur to inoculate 50,250 residents on special vax days

Photo by Ministry of Health

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The province of Lanao del Sur targets to vaccinate more than 50,000 residents in the coming Bangsamoro special vaccination days next month.

Dr. Ameril Usman, director-general of the Ministry of Health (MOH), said in a press conference that the province committed to inoculate 50,250 individuals from May 16 to May 20 as part of the regionwide drive to make the unvaccinated in the province seek COVID-19 jabs.

The MOH official said the target vaccinees will come from areas with low vaccination turnout. These include the municipalities of Malabang, Lumba Bayabao, Masiu, Marantao, Maguing, Bayang, Balindong, Ganassi, Tugaya, Balabagan, Madalum, Piagapo, Tamparan, Binidayan, Bacolod-Kalawi, Saguiaran, Taraka, Kapai, and Lumbatan.

The city government of Marawi also pledged to 12,900 jabs for the special vaccination days covering IDP shelters and host communities as well as barangays Dimalna, Lomidong, Cabingan, Biaba Damag, Rapasun, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Bangon.

Meanwhile, OIC Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abbas reminded the different Integrated Provincial Health Offices in the region that although they have committed targets, they should not only focus on accomplishing this commitment but rather try to reach more unvaccinated individuals. "Dapat ang reference ay yung target number of unvaccinated not yung committed [our reference should be the target number of unvaccinated, not the commitment]," he emphasized. 

The target 60% of the unvaccinated in Lanao del Sur is 353,672 individuals while 17,945 for Marawi City. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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29 areas in Lanao del Sur targeted for special vax days

Photo by Ministry of Health

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur --Around 29 areas in Lanao del Sur with low vaccination coverage are targeted for the 'special vaccination days' in the Bangsamoro region next month, according to the region's Ministry of Health (MOH). 

OIC Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas said the areas that will be covered in the province are the municipalities of Malabang, Lumba Bayabao, Masiu, Marantao, Maguing, Bayang, Balindong, Ganassi, Tugaya, Balabagan, Madalum, Piagapo, Tamparan, Binidayan, Bacolod-Kalawi, Saguiaran, Taraka, Kapai, and Lumbatan.

For Marawi City, the target areas are IDP shelters and host communities as well as barangays Dimalna, Lomidong, Cabingan, Biaba Damag, Rapasun, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Bangon.

Abas said the special vaccination days in BARMM will be conducted on May 16-20, 2022 to increase the vaccination coverage in the region.

According to him, despite the efforts and the conduct of daily inoculation, the vaccination coverage in the region is still at 28% of the target population. They attributed this to vaccine hesitancy among the Bangsamoro people especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

"Yung iba medyo violent pa yung opposition at reaction sa pagbabakuna [the others are quite violent in their opposition and reaction to the vaccination]," he said in a press conference Monday, April 25.

Meanwhile, Abbas warned unvaccinated Bangsamoro of the possibility of an outbreak in the region if herd immunity will not be attained.

"Kapag hindi na reach (herd immunity) ay posibleng magkaroon ng outbreak dito sa atin dahil konti lang ang nabakunahan [if the herd immunity is not reached, it is possible to have an outbreak here as only few have been vaccinated]," he said.

With this, the health minister renewed his call for unvaccinated Bangsamoro people to get vaccinated and be protected against Covid-19. He emphasized that the protection is not only for themselves but also for their families and the community as a whole. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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More rehab projects to be launched in Marawi Week of Peace

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--More completed infrastructure projects under the rehabilitation program for this war-stricken city are to be inaugurated and turned over in the upcoming Marawi Week of Peace. 

The Marawi Week of Peace is observed from May 16 to 23 to commemorate the anniversary of the siege in 2017.

Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario bared that among the infrastructures to be launched in the week-long event will be the Marawi Museum, Peace Memorial Park, School of Living Tradition, Sarimanok Sports Stadium, Convention Center and other barangay complexes. 

Additionally, roughly 400 permanent housing units built by the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the partnership of the UN-Habitat and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) will be awarded to rightful family beneficiaries. 

Del Rosario shared he will be spending some days in the city to attend the week’s highlights.

“I will be here for three days and the activities will be more on ribbon cutting of the completed projects,” he said.

Apart from the rehabilitation projects, partner line agencies and non-government organizations are likewise expected to hold their respective activities in line with the Marawi Week of Peace. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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TFBM chief seeks Marawi Sultanate's support to sustain peace

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chief Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario called on traditional leaders here to help the government in ensuring a peaceful environment in the city.

During an Iftar dinner with the Marawi Sultanate League (MSL) led by Sultan Nasser Sampaco, Del Rosario urged the sultanate not to allow the intrusion of the ISIS-Maute group or the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city once again.

"If we will not help each other in preventing the intrusion of criminal elements, drug lords, or the selling or buying of drugs, if we cannot stop them, again Marawi will suffer," he said.

As respected leaders in Marawi, Del Rosario appealed to the members of the Sultanate to join hands with the local government unit and the national government to put a stop to this kind of activity.

"Let us continue the partnership, let us continue the aggressiveness to ensure that the Mautes, the ISIS, and drug lords will not ever again enter Marawi City. All must cooperate because if we will not cooperate, again Marawi will be destroyed by these people," he added. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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TFBM hosts Ramadan Iftar for Marawi traditional leaders

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) hosted once again a Ramadan Iftar (breaking of the fast) dinner with traditional leaders here in celebration of the strong ties between them.

During the Iftar, TFBM chief Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario announced that the construction of Torogan in Brgy. Sagonsongan which will serve as the office of the Marawi Sultanate League (MSL) is now 95% complete.

He said they are planning to turn over the structure next month during the Marawi Week of Peace celebration.

"As you can see, it’s not totally complete yet as there are some improvements that we have to fund. One of those is the construction of the road leading to the Torogan and the landscaping of the whole facility para kapag may bisita tayo, kapag may magpunta sa Torogan [so that when we have visitors, when they go to the Torogan], from the outside alone they will be impressed already," he further said.

The TFBM chief said he has coordinated with city mayor Majul Gandamra to include the construction of the road leading to the Torogan and the landscaping outside the cultural structure in the funding that he is requesting from the national government.

An adopted son of the MSL, Del Rosario also reaffirmed his support for all the projects being undertaken by the sultanate.

Marawi Sultanate League chairperson Sultan Nasser Sampaco conveys the gratitude of the group to TFBM chief Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario for providing them with Torogan and for leading the repair and reconstruction of the most devastated mosques in Marawi. (Michael John Paclar / PIA Lanao del Su

For his part, MSL chairperson Sultan Nasser Sampaco conveyed their gratitude to the TFBM chief for providing them with Torogan and for leading the repair and reconstruction of the most devastated mosques in the city which he described as a gesture of sincerity to help the Meranaw people get back on their way of life. 

"On behalf of the Marawi Sultanate League, I am genuinely expressing our utmost gratitude to the TFBM chairman for all the good things he has done to make our cherished city great again," he said. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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Rehab effort helping Marawi to bounce back, says Gandamra

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Magnifying the positive contributions of the ongoing rehabilitation here, Mayor Majul Gandamra firmly conveyed that such an effort has been helping the city to recover from the consequences of the firefight in 2017.

He expressed that the local government and its constituents are glad to have witnessed and proved themselves that the national government through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has done its best since the beginning until the present with lots of projects already accomplished. 

“Napakalaki ng potential ng Marawi City in terms of economic activities dahil nakikita natin na lahat ng infrastructure projects ay nagbibigay boost sa ating ekonomiya… Iyan ay manifestation that we are bouncing back from the result of the siege,” said Gandamra

[Marawi City has a big potential in terms of economic activities because we can see all the infrastructure projects that give a boost to our economy… That is a manifestation that we are bouncing back from the siege.]

The mayor also presented some of the projects now in their final stages and ready to be inaugurated in the approaching Marawi Week of Peace in May this year. Among them are the Grand Padian Market, Sarimanok Sports Stadium, Convention Center, and Rizal Park.

Meanwhile, he is optimistic that even with the shift of the administration soon, other projects that are yet to be finished will continue as their corresponding budget was already downloaded to their respective implementing agencies. 

“Ako ay very hopeful dahil alam natin na kailangan din natin ng suporta ng ating national government even after the term of the President… Tayo ay nakakasiguro na ang darating na eleksyon sa nasyonal at lokal ay walang epekto. In fact, kung sino ang mananalo ay ipagpapatuloy pa rin ang pagpapaayos ng Marawi City. Tuloy-tuloy ang pagbangon ng Marawi City,” said Gandamra. 

[I am very hopeful because we know that we still need the support of our national government even after the term of the President… We can assure that the coming national and local elections have no impact. In fact, whoever wins will carry on the rehabilitation of Marawi City. The rise of Marawi City will continue.] (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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Del Rosario underscores Marawi rehab objectives

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--As the effort to bring back the devastated city here is nearing completion, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario laid down the three general objectives of the rehabilitation program.

First, he stressed that the rehabilitation should be a catalyst for growth and development which is visibly pursued through the erected buildings and showing gradual progress. 

“Ang lahat na government infrastructures na dapat natin gawin, iyon ang utos ng ating Pangulo na dapat magawa natin para magkaroon tayo ng magandang foundation at simula that will serve as a catalyst for growth and sustainable development. Makikita natin ngayon na ang ating lugar ay slowly, step-by-step, there are so many challenges, but we are moving forward,” said Del Rosario.

[All the government infrastructures which we needed to make were the ones directed by our President to be constructed so that we can have a good foundation and start that will serve as a catalyst for growth and sustainable development. We can see right now that our place is slowly, step-by-step, there are so many challenges, but we are moving forward.]

As detailed, one of the obstacles they encountered and even still encountering is the electrification of the most affected area as some landowners hinder the construction of transformer sites along the primary road fronting Rizal Park.

Del Rosario stated that if these transformer pads will not be placed in six particular sites, the energization of such an area will not be completed, but this will be accordingly given remedy through writing a final letter to appropriate citizens.

The second objective, according to the TFBM chief is to make the rehabilitation a model for good governance which is upheld with the construction of barangay complexes serving as official offices of the barangay officers. 

He said the barangay infrastructures were built following any of the three designs of the city government.

Finally, Del Rosario underscored the third objective which is to achieve a peaceful environment.

He shared that as he was told, there was an area in the city known to be drug-rampant but now has been dismantled and replaced with the new infrastructures that are beneficial to everyone, such as the Grand Padian Market, a world-standard Convention Center ready to cater to events, and Sports Complex that can accommodate four to five thousand spectators, among others.

Del Rosario emphasized that with these constructions, the locality will soon be one of the tourism sites in the whole of Mindanao. 

With the outlined general objectives proven to be all lived out, the TFBM secretary acknowledged the toil of their partner line agencies, private organizations, and the residents to extend full support to the national government’s initiative. 

“Iyan ay nagawa natin because tayong lahat ay natulong-tulong kasi without unity and cooperation, we cannot achieve all these. Ito ay sinabi ng ating mahal na Pangulo when he said, “I will see to it that Marawi will rise as a prosperous city again” at iyan ang ginagawa ng Task Force Bangon Marawi,” said Del Rosario.

[[We were able to make these because we all helped one another because without unity and cooperation, we cannot achieve all these. This is what the President mentioned when he said, “I will see to it that Marawi will rise as a prosperous city again” and that is what Task Force Bangon Marawi is doing.] (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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Marawi village chiefs glad for opening of new brgy complexes

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--With the newly rolled out barangay complexes during the recent visit of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario Thursday, April 21, barangay chief executives conveyed their gratefulness for the opening of their barangay facilities.

East Marinaut barangay chairperson Baironsalam Macabando-Mocsana stressed that the barangay complex shall honor their history and traditions while glimpsing at the future with confidence and optimism.

“This barangay complex will give us a good sense of both unity and belongingness as it symbolizes a new chapter and forging a path to the brighter future of our constituents,” she said. 

Amiladen Ampuan, chairperson of Brgy. Banggolo then attested that the infrastructure for them gave them the courage to stand once again after they lost their strength and fell because of the siege in 2017.

For his part, Chairperson Shariff Zain Lanto Gandamra of Lumbaca Madaya village emphasized that their complex serves not only as the face of hope but also of progress and development of their constituents. 

 

“Ang imprastrakturang ito ay hindi lamang magsisilbing opisina ng ating mga kawani ng ating barangay. Ito rin ay magsisilbing lugar sa lahat ng naglalayong makapagbigay ng tulong upang magkaroon ng mas maginhawang pamumuhay. Ang gusaling ito ay simula lamang ng ating pagbangon,” he said.

[This infrastructure will not only serve as the office of the officials of our barangay. This will also be the place for those who aim to give help so that we can have a more eased living. This building will be the start of our rise.]

Dansalan barangay chairperson Zenaida Maniri, on the other hand, affirmed that such a completed project will indeed contribute significantly to upholding the mandate which is to serve the community and the people. 

In the latest inauguration, at least four completed barangay complexes have been introduced, to wit, Barangays Banggolo, East Marinaut, Lumbaca Madaya and Dansalan complexes.

As per the latest record, these were added to the now 13 completed barangay complexes which are part of the target 24 barangay facilities to be constructed in the most affected area of the city by the national government. 

Del Rosario said only 11 more barangays in the most affected area of the city have yet to finish their complexes while 72 villages in the less affected area are also set to have their own barangay halls with the allocated budget initially released in 2021 for the 40 barangays and the balance to be given this year for the remaining 32 barangays. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)

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