ARMM Gov. Hataman receives outstanding governorship award 

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 14 (PIA) --- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman is one of this year’s awardees for Outstanding Governorship given by an international organization, Wednesday, November 13, in Metro Manila.

Hataman received the coveted Outstanding Governorship Award from the Superbrands Marketing Incorporated (SMI), an organization founded in 1994 in United Kingdom with 90 member countries.

Hataman is the sole Moro governor among the six awardees that include Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.

“I would like to thank those who make up the Superbrands Marketing Incorporated or SMI for giving recognition to the Outstanding Governors for 2013,” Hataman said on his speech during the awarding ceremony.

He said he is elated to be among those chosen to receive the award this year.

“If I am not mistaken, I am the first Muslim or Moro leader, as far as I know, to receive this award. I would take this as a great honor not only for myself but for the entire Bangsamoro,” he said.

The award, according to SMI, serves as testimony of Filipinos’ commitment to excellence.

Hataman is known for initiating reforms in the graft-ridden 24-year old regional bureaucracy and was touted by President Benigno Aquino III as ‘ghostbuster’ for his efforts in combating ghost teachers and schools that led to hundreds of millions of savings in the region’s education department.

“The key to our service is our loyalty to our duty, determination to right the wrong, decision to reform a rotten system and a firm belief in the capability of our people. In a short period, we have shown that change can happen in ARMM,” Hataman said.

The regional chief executive also reiterated his all-out support to the ongoing peace negotiations in the south.

“As of now, we are preparing ARMM for the coming of a final peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and our government. We look forward to a peaceful and better tomorrow with the coming of the Bangsamoro,” he said.

                                                 

Hataman, who earlier announced that his government will send a humanitarian team to Visayas, sent his message of solidarity to all those affected by the super storm Yolanda.

“In closing, I would like to express our solidarity with all the provinces devastated by typhoon Yolanda. We in ARMM send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of those who perished in the typhoon. Let us show at times like this our unity as a nation, who cares and supports each other whether there is a calamity or not,” he said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

Float parade kicks-off ARMM’s 24th anniversary celebration

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 14 (PIA) --- The month-long celebration of the 24th anniversary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) kicked off on November 7 with officials and employees parading the region’s rich and diverse culture in their traditional tribal attires with five floats adorned to represent each of the component provinces of the region.

The month-long celebration dubbed as “Pakaradjaan sa ARMM” (“Festivity in ARMM”) bannered the theme, “Pagkakaisa sa Kasayahan, Para sa Pagbabago sa Bangsamoro.”

Hataman said the celebration will not be limited in the region’s seat in Cotabato City.

“We’ll let all the people of the region experience and feel the spirit of the festivity by bringing the activities to the provincial level,” he said.

The regional government has earlier enjoined all offices and line agencies to organize activities that highlight the anniversary.

The opening ceremony of the “Pakaradjaan sa ARMM” also marked the 633rd anniversary celebration of the arrival of Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, the Arab missionary who first brought Islam to the country.

The Islamic faith is central to the Bangsamoro identity and has helped define their culture and history.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the kick-off celebration was also in honor of Sheikh Makhdum.

Meanwhile, Jose Lorena, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) undersecretary, lauded Hataman for enabling ARMM to take on its role in the ongoing peace process and the eventual transition to the Bangsamoro political entity.

“Today signifies the celebration of faith and enlightenment with the coming of Sheikh Makdhum, a celebration of unity, marking the 24th founding anniversary of ARMM,” Lorena said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)

DepEd conducts language mapping survey in Misamis Occidental

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 14 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd), Division of Misamis Occidental, has conducted a Language Mapping Survey among schoolchildren, from Kindergarten to Grade III, by school.

This is in line with the implementation of the K to 12 Implementation of the Basic Education Program emphasizing the use of the mother tongue from Kindergarten to Grade III in the different learning areas, except English and Filipino.

“We were tasked by DepEd to conduct this Language Mapping Survey (LMS) to trace the different mother tongue of the schoolchildren, Dr. Jonathan S. Dela Peňa, Schools Division Superintendent, said.

Results of the LMS from Northern Mindanao schools will be consolidated and forwarded to the DepEd Central Office to be used as inputs during the Orientation and Planning Workshop on the Multi-Literacy and Numeracy Programs for Chiefs and Regional Coordinators in Tagaytay City, on Nov. 16-20, 2013.

Meanwhile, Dela Peňa said the LMS includes the following data to be gathered by all schools in each district: List of languages spoken in Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 levels.

Orthography or correct spelling, number of schoolchildren and number of teachers speaking the language, number of available learner materials, number of big books and number of small books of each language identified in each grade level. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Revival of Visayan songs, dances highlight Tangub’s heritage and culture week

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 14 (PIA) – A week-long revival of songs/ dances and debates in the Visayan dialect will highlight the celebration the city’s Heritage and Culture Week, from Nov. 22-28, this year.

Now on its 9th year, the celebration focuses on the theme: “Ang Kabilin nga Bulawan, Ugmaron, Ampingan ug Ipadayon (Golden Heritage: To be Developed, Protected and Sustained),” said Atty. Philip T. Tan, the City Mayor.

Leading the conduct of the activities is the Tangub City Historical Commission (TCHC), in coordination with the Department of Education, Division of Tangub City, Gov. Alfornso D. Tan College (GADTC) and the Northeastern Mindanao State College (NMSC).

Meanwhile, Narcisa A. Naron, TCHC General Commissioner said the week starts with a painting exhibit at the Sinanduloy Cultrual Center (SCC) by elementary and high school students of the city on Nov. 22.

The other activities are as follows: “Tigi sa Kaalam” (Local History Tests) involving the general information on the history of Tangub for both elementary and high school level, at the Library Hub, Nov. 23.

 “Harana”(Singing of Visayan Love Songs) by high school and college students and the community at the SCC, Nov. 24, and “Kundiman” (Vocal Song Rendition), for high school and college students at Function Hall 1, Nov. 25.

Philippine Folk Dance (dancing with various choreographies) by high school and college students at the Activity Center Quadrangle, Nov. 26, and “Tigi sa Katarungan” or “Lantugi” (Debate) in the Visayan dialect using the Lubas sa Dagang Binisaya (LuDaBi) by college students at the SCC, Nov. 27.

Capping the week-long celebration is the conduct of a Grand “Bayle” (Ball), a revival of old Filipino songs and dances by selected able senior citizens of the city’s 55 barangays at the SCC, Naron added. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)