by Apipa Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur Mar. 9 (PIA) --- Some 224 barangays in Lanao del Sur (LDS) are eyed to benefit from the $30-million International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Additional Financing (IBRD-AF) in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Implemented by the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP), about 126 of these barangays are located in LDS-A while 98 others are in LDS-B, ASFP Manager Nasser Sinarimbo, said.
Sinarimbo made the disclosure during the IBRD-AF orientation for local government units (LGUs) here held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, last March 6, for the LDS-A participants and on March 7, for LDS-B participants.
The conduct of the two-day orientation is a kick-off activity towards the full implementation of the ASFP additional financing for projects that aims to sustain the momentum of development in ARMM through the implementation of more demand-driven interventions for poverty reduction and peace building.
The project which consisted of two components: the institutional strengthening and governance (ISG) and the community development assistance (CDA) will run from November 5, 2010 to May 31, 2011, he added.
The ISG aims to strengthen the capacity of the ARMM institutions towards the improvement of performance delivery, transparency, and accountability that includes information, education and communication, capacity building on improved local governance through the municipal block grants and project management support.
On the other hand, the CDA intends to empower communities towards participation and management of their community affairs by providing resources for community based infrastructure, social services, as well, as learning, livelihood and food sufficiency activities.
At the end of the orientations, local chief executives (LCE) forged a memorandum of agreement with the ASFP management office and the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) signifying the official enrolment of their respective municipalities to the additional financing.
Aside from the LCEs, the orientation was also graced by the Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDO) and the Presidents of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in the province. (PIA-10)
MILF holds peace advocacy, consultation in Lanao del Sur
by Apipa Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Mar. 9 (PIA) --- In an effort to give primacy to the peace process, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) conducted a peace advocacy and consultation forum with its members and various constituencies in Lanao del Sur (LDS).
Held at Unda Memorial National Agricultural School in Barangay Langi Talub in Masiu town last March 5, the consultation aimed to discuss the different agreements reached by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF during their recently-concluded exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, chairman of the Bangsamoro Development Authority, said the exploratory talks resulted to the review and reactivation of the mandates of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
The AHJAG isolates kidnap-for-ransom groups and other criminal elements in Mindanao while the IMT monitors the ceasefire and the civilian protection agreements between the GPH and the MILF, he further said.
The MILF has also submitted the case of the 25 MILF officials who are presently detained, as well, as the group’s draft proposal for the so-called comprehensive compact containing the positions of the MILF in substantive issues, added Dipatuan.
Meanwhile, the GPH hailed the efforts of the MILF to consult the stakeholders in search for a just and peaceful solution to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao citing such move as certainly in keeping with desire of both panels to maintain transparency in the negotiations.
Government Chief Negotiator Marvic Leonen said in a statement that the GPH panel will likewise present its proposed solution to reach a political-acceptable and principles-negotiated settlement after full and adequate consultation and clearances.
Both panels agreed to hold their next round of exploratory talks tentatively on March 29-30, this year. (PIA-10)
RIDO Inc. conducts conflict management training
by Apipa Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Mar. 9 (PIA) --- Around 65 participants from the local government units, traditional leaders and clans in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur participated in a 2-day workshop on conflict management conducted by the Reconciliatory Initiatives for Development Opportunities (RIDO) Inc.
Aimed at enhancing the skills and capacity of the participants in conflict resolution and management, the conflict management workshop was held March 5- 6, 2011 at Crystal Inn, Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City, Abdul Hamidullah Atar, Executive Director of RIDO Inc., said.
He said the activity highlighted the resolution of family and clan conflicts using the traditional justice system and the Islamic point-of-view.
Among the topics tackled during the workshop were Introduction to Conflicts, Tools, Principles and Approaches, Inter-group Divisiveness: Context, Triggers, and Conflict Escalation and Conflict Resolution on Islamic Perspective.
The participants also shared their knowledge on Rido (family feud) settlement and their respective best practices for local conflict resolutions.
Atar said RIDO Inc. is an organization which aims to strengthen the potentials of traditional structures, mechanisms, and leaders for the prevention and resolution of family, clan, and inter-ethnic conflicts so that sustainable peace and development in the two Lanao provinces will be attained. (PIA-10)
TESDA to provide free skills training to PNP in Lanao del Sur
by Apipa Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Mar. 9 (PIA) --- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be offering free skills training to local police officers to help them improve their performance.
This was confirmed during the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the TESDA, Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (LSPPO), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the Tactical Foundation Training and Assessment Center, Inc. (TFTACI) on March 8, at the LSPPO headquarters.
The forging of partnership wherein the different programs and projects of the four (4) parties are entangled into one is the first of its kind in the province, cited TESDA Provincial Director Tarhata Mapandi.
She emphasized that the MOA signing formalized their agreements to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to project themselves as the true security and peace officers in the province.
With the support of the PNRC and TFTACI, we are planning to implement free skills training program to be conducted in every municipality where PNP officers are assigned, she said.
Mapandi further explained that TESDA will provide training to PNP personnel on emergency responses which include fire drills and first-aid and client relations or the so-called ‘front office.’
We will, likewise, involve them into language skills upgrading in time for the opening of our Language Skills Institute sometime this April or May, she added.
As counterpart, the LDSPPO will identify the target areas and PNP personnel who will undergo training and to support TESDA in terms of financial and other logistical needs of the training.
As stipulated in the MOA, the LSPPO will issue special order to mandate all their personnel to participate in the different personality and skills development trainings, Mapandi said.
She also disclosed that they will commence the training as soon as they are able to arrange all the training needs and that they will be starting first with the PNP officers in the provincial headquarters before they will be conducting the training in the different towns of the province.
Following the MOA signing was the conduct of a bloodletting operation where some provincial PNP personnel donated their blood after passing the medical screening.
The bloodletting activity was conducted by PNRC headed by its chapter president, Raifa Adiong and facilitated by the Tactical Foundation led by Faridah Adilao. (PIA-10)
Camiguin steps up campaign on oral care
by Jorie C. Valcorza
MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Mar. 9 (PIA) – The Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Camiguin Chapter successfully completed its massive dental outreach to community folks, school children and school teachers in the island last month.
The activity was among those lined up by PDA, Camiguin as they joined the nation in celebrating the Oral Health Month of February.
The event featured advocacy on the importance of preventive services like keeping good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental visits, especially among children to develop good habits.
Dental services like oral examinations, tooth cleaning or extraction and other restorative care were likewise extended to all beneficiaries in priority barangays and schools.
During the community outreach program, PDA in partnership with Colgate, Phils. also distributed complete oral hygiene kit consisting of toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss and mouthwash in two (2) barangays of the province.
Children in other beneficiary communities, likewise, received set of toothpaste and toothbrush given by the Camiguin Provincial Government.
Camiguin Provincial Dental Coordinator, Dr. Ophelia M. Sahay, said that the dental outreach program is a year-round activity which prioritizes school children, dubbed as the “Orally Fit Child Program”.
“For preventive care, we also have the Essential Health Care Package (EHCP) in partnership with Fit for School Foundation where all grade levels 1 to 4 elementary students were given health care kits consisting of hand washing soap, toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste,” Sahay said.
She also said the EHCP was expanded last year to cover all pre-schoolers. “All these children will enjoy year-round supply of the basic hygiene kit,” she added.
Sahay noted that the local government also launched Gov. Romualdo’s dental program which caters to the Grade 5 and 6 levels and extends services to all high schools and college scholars of the Provincial Youth Grantees (PYG). (PIA 10)
Women’s rights highlight Bukidnon women’s summit
by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Mar. 9 (PIA) – Thousands of women from government and non-government organizations gathered at Kaamulan Folk Arts Theater, this city, March 8 to commemorate the International Women’s Day and discuss issues on the rights of women.
The activity was is in response to the call on full and effective implementation of the Magna Carta of Women articulated in RA 9710, in order to achieve the millennium development goal, which is the eradication of poverty by the year 2015.
In her keynote, Atty. Jerefe Bacang, senior legal officer of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the global financial crisis has great impact on the lives of women all over the world.
“It is women who will first lose their jobs and women bear the brunt of looking after their families in such difficult times,” she said.
Bacang explained that the Magna Carta of Women is the local edition of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Thus, these include women’s equal access in education, non-discrimination in employment in the field of military and police.
It also includes women’s equal participation in sports, non-discriminatory portrayal in media, full opportunities in political, economics, health and various services, among others. (PIA-10)
4ID, PA Celebrates Women’s Day
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 9 (PIA) --The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA) commemorated the International Women’s Day early morning of March 8 with a holy mass at the St. Ignatius de Loyola Chapel inside Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
In his message during the mass, 4th ID Chaplain Rev. Fr. Major Leonides C. Cruel Jr., stressed the significance of the celebration as the event reminds us of the challenges and ordeals women in the past had to surmount to gain the recognition of today.
He also cited Mother Mary as a model to our women saying, “The best example of this is Mother Mary as a mother to Jesus and to us all. Her acceptance to the will of God has uplifted the role of women in the community. We continue this path in the protection of our women from discrimination and uplifting the dignity of our women.”
For his part, Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, 4ID Commanding General said the Army recognized the significant role women play in our society, especially the women soldiers who equally dedicate their lives in the service of the country.
“We, specifically, observe this day as a celebration of the achievements of women past, present, and future,” he said.
“We also see to it that we support and uphold laws protecting women and children, especially, from abuse and violence. The celebration is also a way to acknowledge our women in uniform, in giving them credit in the achievements and successes in being part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Felix said.
Meanwhile, 4th ID Spokesperson and Commanding Officer of the 4th Civil Military Operations (Kasaligan) Battalion, Maj. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV also said that the Army’s way of commemorating the global event only shows that we are committed in our mandate to protect human rights regardless of race, religion and sexuality. (4CMO/PIA-10)
NPA killed in Army firefight
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 9 – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed after a fire fight broke out between troops from the 402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army and about 15 NPA members in Barangay La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, recently.
The Army team under Cpl Eduardo C. Cenabre was on routine patrol when it encountered the NPA group believed to be from the Guerilla Front-19A.
A firefight lasted for more than 10 minutes which took the life of one NPA member and recovered an M-16 assault rifle. The rebels then withdraw heading to the southeast, while the Army went on hot pursuit.
There was no casualty on the government side and that more troops were moved in to aide in the search and conduct pursuit operation in the area.
Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, Commander of the 4th ID said that he is pleased with the result of the encounter that no soldier was killed. However, he also send his sympathies to the rebel who died in the fight.
“I am saddened with the death of another Filipino which could have been avoided if they would only cooperate in promoting lasting peace and further development in the region. On the other hand I commend our troopers for a job well done in defending our communities from the hostile rebel threats and for their steadfast dedication to the service,” Felix said.
As such, 4th ID Spokesperson Maj. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, Commanding Officer of the 4th Civil-Military Operations (Kasaligan) Battalion said that the success of the encounter has proven that our soldiers are well-trained and courageous.
“We call to our brothers in the armed movement to help end the senseless bloodshed and violence and instead work hand in hand with the government,” Osias said. (4CMO/PIA-10)
No comments:
Post a Comment