Philippine Muslim Today

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Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

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NCMF refutes COA report on Welcome Brother Moy

I

n behalf of the Philippine Muslim Today (PMT), allow me to thank and welcome Haroun Alrashid Alonto Lucman Jr. for joining us. I believe Moy, as he is popularly called, can give our readers a better insight with his no nonsense analysis on things around us Moy Lucman will write a column titled "HAMMERHEAD" starting this week. In his maiden issue, he will talk about Mindanao State University (MSU) as it marks its 60th founding day — more on its unwritten side.

MSU, by the way is the brainchild of Moy's uncle, the late Senator Ahmad Domocao Alonto, who authored the law that created the prime state university in Mindanao.

Moy, former regional vice governor of the defunct ARMM, belongs to prominent families in Lanao. He is a son of the late Bangsamoro leader, Congressman Sultan Rashid Lucman and former Lanao del Sur Governor Princess Tarhata Alonto Lucman.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President and Editor-In-Chief Philippine Muslim Today Inc.

A3 Across BARMMMindanao

‘No fee’ for entry of MILF, MNLF members to PNP – Iqbal

Minister Mohagher Iqbal.

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro region’s co-chair in the Inter-Government Relations Body (IGRB) has clarified that ‘no fee’ is involved in the proposed to the police service of members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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he National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has vehemently denied any irregularity in its handling of funds for the 2019 Islamic Pilgrimage or Hajj of 7,243 Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), taking exception to a Commission on Audit (COA) report published in The Manila Bulletin on Aug. 29.

In a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 31, NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan described as “seemingly unbalanced reporting” of the 2020 audit report titled “COA Flags P397M disbursements of the NCMF in the 2019 Hajj.”

On Hajj disbursements, Pangarungan said, “all of the expenses paid coming

NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan. from the mutawiff (service fees) of the 7,243 pilgrims in the 2019 hajj is documented and accounted for. Not one peso is missing in our books, neither is there any showing of misappropriation.”

Pacquiao to lose if running independent in 2022 presidential poll — LPP official

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL MAKATI CITY, Metro Manila — A Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) official on Wednesday told Philippine Muslim Today in an exclusive interview that the political victory of Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao in the 2022 presidential election running as independent candidate is ill-advised and bound to defeat.

Shariff Ibrahim Albani, a member of the LPP national executive officers and vice president for Visayas told this Managing Editor in his reaction to the statement of PDP-Laban Pacquiao wing Executive Director Ronwald Munsayac that Pacquiao can still run as independent presidential

CLOSE TO THE HEART: Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Shariff Ibrahim Albani, the vice president for Visayas of the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) hold a gesture of having green ribbon in everyone’s heart that connotes hope, prosperity, and decency. (Contributed Photo) candidate if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will accept in favor of the PDP-Laban Alfonso Cusi wing.

The LPP has publicly announced last week of

their invitation to make Pacquiao as their standard-bearer in the 2022 presidential elections. In fact the eldest son of PACQUIAO | A3

NCMF | A2

A9

Culture

Education: The Key to SocioEconomic Transformation of the Badjaos (Part II)

Basic facts showed that there were few educational programs, both formal and non-formal, for the Badjaos and rarely have they benefitted in said programs. Educational interventions given by the local providers (e.g.

LGU’s, CSO’s and some public and state educational institutions) seemed ineffective because they did not look deeper into the social-being, characteristics and most important the economic capacity of a Badjao family to send and sustain their children to attend education.

A2

The Bangsamoro

NCMF refutes COA report on 2019 hajj… from page A1 He said the NCMF has provided earlier the COA with the following documents and justifications in evidence of the propriety of the flagged disbursement: (1) Certificate of Financial Clearance issued by the hotel provider Maad al-Masiyah Company (MAAD) that NCMF has fully paid all its obligations and accountabilities pursuant to its hotel contract with MAAD; (2) Confirmation of the Official Receipts issued by MAAD to the Philippine Consul General in Jeddah, KSA; and (3) Official Receipts issued by the hotel provider and justifications that address COAperceived discrepancies. “(The) COA knows that MAAD and the other Saudi hotels do not, and have never, maintained record of the guest list because of the sheer number of 2 to 3 million pilgrims being billeted in Saudi hotels during the annual Hajj. The COA has received all this documentation ahead of time before the crafting of the audit report. In the report they have noted our various submissions for further validation,” Pangarungan said.

He aired dismay that “such validation has not been done before the drafting of their Annual Audit Report despite the NCMF’s faithful compliance to all the Audit Observation Memorandums regarding the 2019 Hajj.”

He said the NCMF “is left wondering if, by asking for the impossible, COA seems to be engaged in faultfinding.”

On the contrary, he said, the NCMF is “extremely proud of its achievement in the 2019 Hajj,” citing the 7,243 pilgrims’ unprecedented billeting in five-star hotels in front of Prophet Mohammad mosque in Madinah and in 4.7-star hotels in Makkah, compared to substandard housing of past hajj goers in “decrepit hotels far from the two Holy Mosques.”

“In one past pilgrimage, the NCMF was sued by a hotel provider in Saudi courts for the nonpayment of P12-M hotel accommodations. (But we) had successfully negotiated with creditors to waive the debts (of) past administrations. If MAAD was not fully paid…as insinuated in the audit report, why is it that the NCMF did not receive any demand letter or a court summons after…the 2019 hajj,” asked Pangurangan who was appointed NCMF chief in July 2019.

The COA report has faulted the NCMF on job order (JO) employees, stating that such workers were duplicating tasks being performed by existing employees of the agency.

But Pangarungan argued that “COA refuses to see the fact that at the start of the COVID 19 pandemic in early2020, additional job order employees were requested by (NCMF) Bureau, Service and Regional Directors because of sheer inadequacy of personnel as only 15%-20% of our workforce are reporting for work pursuant to CSCmandated work arrangements that allow employees to work at home.”

He said the “COA should shift paradigm given the unique challenges of times instead of finding fault on conventional grounds such as duplicity of functions,” adding that the NCMF actually finds relief in hiring job order (JO) workers as because Muslims were not spared from the layoffs and joblessness brought about by the lockdowns and quarantines.

“This (JO worker hiring) is allowed by COADBM Joint Circular 1 series of 2020 or the ‘Interim Guidelines Governing Contract of Service (COS) and JO Workers in Government’ in response to the pandemic,” he said.

On cash advances, he said, “only 10.25% of the unliquidated cash advances were incurred from 2018 to 2020 during my watch.”

NCMF | A3

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

BTA extension certain if PRRD pushes bill – stakeholders

By ALI G. MACABALANG

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OTABATO CITY – While Congressional proceedings indicate a likely extension in the lifespan of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the prospect will be certain or assured if President RoLeaders of various civil society organizations (CSOs) took turns in thanking lawmakers in the Senate and House for passing on second reading their enabling bills in the plenary and joint committee hearings, respectively, last week.

They conveyed gratitude through a manifesto presented at a press conference here on Monday, Aug. 30, which they wrapped up with a last ditch plea for President Duterte to officially and urgently push for the passage of a harmonized bill in the 18th Congress.

tension will enable the BTA to make up in the delays caused principally by the COVID-19 pandemic on its perceived failure to fully accomplishment mandates under the Com-

Rep. Toto Mangudadatu (inset) told reporters on the 2nd leg of the weekly “Tapatan” Forum of the Bangsamoro Press corps that BTA extension and postponement of BARMM regular election are certain if Pres.

Duterte pushes the enabling bill.

The Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC), an umbrella group of several CSOs, organized the press conference in view of the fastapproaching filing of candidacies for the 2022 national and local elections. The Commission on Elections set the filing period this coming October 1-8, just a month away from press times.

In a plenary session on August 25, the senators passed on second Senate Bill 2214, which proposes the deferment of the 2022 Bangasamoro parliament election and extend the BTA lifespan to 2025.

The three-year ex-

prehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) of 2014 and R.A. 11054 of 2018 such as the: Normalization and Political or Governmental Tracks.

The Normalization Track will decommission in phases the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF’s) 40,000 members and their firearms, and transform them into peaceful and productive life; while the Political Stride is meant to build a parliament-styled autonomous government with electoral exercises on political party principles.

In the second episode of the virtual weekly “Tapatan” forum of the Bangsamoro

drigo Duterte pushes the enabling bill’s passage, according to stakeholders including proponent Maguindanao Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

Press Corps (BPC) on Aug. 28, Rep. Mangudadatu narrated how the five pending bills on BTA extension were harmonized and passed on second reading by the House Joint Committees on Aug. 26.

The joint committees, chaired

by Reps. Marie De Leon-Ferrer of Negros Occidental, Ansaruddin “Hooky” Adiong of Lanao Sur, and Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, mustered 40 affirmative votes against three dissenting votes, cast by Lanao del Norte Rep. Kahlid Dimaporo and Sultan Kudarat Rep. Princess MangudadatuSakaluran, it was learned.

In the virtual press briefing, Rep. Mangudadatu expressed confidence the harmonized bill will likely pass through the final approvals of the joint committee and the House plenary.

However, Mangudadatu, who authored one of the harmonized bills, said the passage of the measure will be faster and smoother if President Duterte officially pushes it, possibly with a certification of urgency.

Unlike in the Senate where majority of the senators are reportedly

in favor of an extended BTA term, the counterpart bill was expected to undergo stiff debates in the plenary, owing to “possible political maneuvers” among more than 300 House members, Rep. Mangudadatu hinted.

The BTA Parliament adopted on Aug. 27 a resolution authored by lawyer-member Raissa Jajurie to convey gratitude to the Senate for “shepherding the process” of passing the poll -deferring bill.

Similarly, the regional leadership through spokesman and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo lauded the House joint committees’ chairs and members for the favourable action, saying the MILF’s ruling United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) also expressed “profoundest gratitude.”

“Rest assured that gratitude is an attitude in this principled party,” said Sinarimbo, who staunchly advocates reforms in regional electoral exercises from personality and moneybased polling to election by party principles.

(AGM)

BARMM

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

Sulu receives 3 BARMM-supplied desalination machines

By PMT NEWS DESK

P

ANDAMI, Sulu – Fresh from receiving a brand new fire truck from the Bangsamoro region’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), the provincial

government of Sulu has received three desalination machines from the same agency to address scarcity of drinking water supply in three island constituent towns.

Provincial Administrator Erwin Tan, on behalf of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, welcomed an MILG team and jubilantly received from the machines in symbolic ceremonies on Aug. 29, the governor’s information office said in a post with photos of the event.

Tan and MILG-Sulu Director Emini Kadiri alongside military officers and civilian witnesses were shown drinking water produced from the machines installed for demonstration at the turnover ceremony.

The three machines were consigned for Hadji Panglima Tahil, Pandami, and Pata island towns, with each costing 20 million pesos and capable of yielding 22,000 liters of desalinated sea water for instant drinking in eight to 10 hours of operations, MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo and Bangsamoro governance Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim dispatched the three machines from Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao on July 20. The lack of direct shipping route from Cotabato to Sulu and the neighboring Basila and TawiTawi island provinces caused the 30-day re-

mation Office (BIO) said.

On August 20, Gov. Tan expressed elation over his receipt of one modern fire truck from the MILG, personally testing the waterdispensing velocity of the unit at the open ground of the Sulu provincial government building. The fire truck, consigned to the Jolo fire station, was one of five units purchased by the MILG for fire truckless provinces in the new autonomous region.

The MILG and other Bangsamoro ministries have earlier inaugurated the completed expan-

DESALINATED DRINKABLE WATER. Sulu provincial Administrator Erwin Tan together with other civilian and military officials drink water dispensed from three desalination machines received on Aug. 29 by the Sulu government from the Bangsamoro region’s Ministry of Interior and Local Government. (Supplied photo) ceipt of the units, it was learned.

The three units were among 10 desalination machines ordered by the MILG on order of the office of the chief minister (OCM), which shouldered the costs from its emergency special funds, it was learned.

The remaining seven units were due to arrive here from a supplying firm in Metro Manila this month, and will be sent to other island towns in Sulu and TawiTawi where residents have been saddled by age-old scarcity of drinking water, the Bangsamoro Infor-

sion of the Jolo wharf and a freshly built Coronavirus pandemic isolation center in Sulu, and launched the construction of barangay hall edifices, each costing P28-million, in three Jolo villages affected by a fire early this year, Sinarimbo said.

“Like other provinces in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, we are seeing to it that Sulu’s LGUs will be effectively capacitated to contribute to the realization of Chief Minister Ebrahim’s ‘moral and responsive’ governance, Sinarimbo told the Philippine Muslim Today news.

(PMT)

Pacquiao to lose if running independent in 2022… from page A1 Pacquiao is already one of the national officers of the LPP. He is Emmanuel Pacquiao, Jr., also known as (a.k.a.) Jimuel who chairs the Committee on Youth Affairs.

Albani bluntly told Munsayac that to let Pacquiao run as an independent presidential candidate is not only ill-advised but also misplaced.

According to the LPP vice president for Visayas, as he further told Munsayac that in the history of presidential candidates no one was successful.

Why? Apart from what you already mentioned politics is highly partisan and patriarchal. That is the culture. Senator Manny Pacquiao should not run as an independent. The pressure of lining up candidates down to councilors level is a massive organizational and logistical nightmare.”

He further said popularity alone will not make Senator Manny Pacquiao win. He needs a party that will move in unison. Candidates on their own could profit from his popularity bandwagon.

Albani also said “let us get this idea out from Pacquiao mind frame. This will spell disaster for us. Or the people will be your enemy. Right now, I believe that idea in advising him to run for independent is a political suicidal and more of a liability than an asset to our country cause with Manny Pacquiao.

Albani who hails from Mindanao also idolized Pacquiao as a boxing legend. He said the global Filipino icon is still steadfast, strong, driven to get our politics and governance moored in core values unflinched by the unpatriotic to the motherland.

He asked everyone to welcome Pacquiao with a “green ribbon” in their hearts. He said this symbolizes hope, prosperity, and decency.

Albani emphasized that Pacquiao for over 25 years, he made us proud, without a doubt even among his detractors, fair enough.

As this developed. the LPP according to Albani in two or three days Pacquiao and the LPP will hold a zoom meeting where the Senator will formally announce if he is indeed the LPP standard-bearer and therefore this will clear all speculations. (PMT NCR Plus Bureau)

A3

NCMF refutes COA report on 2019 hajj… from page A2 He said the remaining 89.75% of all the cash advances were incurred in previous administrations in the span of six years from the passage of R.A. 9997 creating the NCMF. “Nonetheless, I have ordered the NCMF Finance and Management Service to collect and resend demand letters to accountable officials who have yet to liquidate the cash advances under their names,” Pangarungan said.

The COA annual report has mentioned auditors’ failure to find documents that show the purpose of two (2) laptops, two (2) tablets and two (2) cameras procured through small value procurement by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

Pangarungan replied: “We have already ordered the BAC to provide the COA with the purchase requests indicating the justification. But this Commission finds it obvious that additional two (2) laptops, tablets and cameras apart from the 220 already procured is absolutely needed for a Commission with 924 plantilla positions.”

He refuted the COA report for implying an unnecessary purchase of high-end electronic gadgets, saying that a highly functioning national agency like the NCMF requires technological advancement in a nationwide operation especially in the advent of the global health pandemic.

Mutawiff fees not state funds Pangarungan also clarified that mutawiff (service fees) paid by the pilgrims are not GAA funds being kept in a Trust Fund separate from the GAA General Fund.

“The mutawiff is meant to pay for all the services incurred by pilgrims during the Hajj. Not being government funds, we express our reservation on the jurisdiction of COA’s prying eyes on this purely private fund,” he stressed.

He said the NCMF is now working on its formal reply and agency action plan to the findings appearing in the subject Annual Audit Report within prescription period, airing confidence the COA will find such plan of action and additional submissions to “be in order.”

(AGM)

‘No fee’ for entry of MILF, MNLF members to PNP… from page A1 Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, IGRB co-chair representing the regional governance, also pointed out in a recent advisory that the bilateral body has not decided yet on the corresponding mechanisms to be crafted by a technical working group (TWG) tasked to craft guidelines for such a purpose.

Pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article XI of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or R.A.11054, the TWG was formed to craft the mechanisms and procedures of the MILF and MNLF members’ entry to the Philippine National Police for submission to the IGRB for approval and implementation, according to Minister Iqbal.

But the draft guidelines and procedures have not been finalized by the TWG and are being awaited by the IGRB, which is co-chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for the national government, Iqbal’s advisory said.

Iqbal said the unavailability of such guidelines simply means that the acceptance of application of MILF and MNLF members for entry to the PNP “has not started yet.”

In the meantime, he pointed out that collecting money related to application or in exchange for offering slots is “not allowed and considered (an) illegal activity.”

ALI G. MACABALANG

A4

Opinion

MSU is lifeline in Marawi City

Philippine Muslim Today Inc. Co. Reg. No. 2021030008913-02 DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Directors MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor AMANODING D. ESMAIL Chairman, Special Committee on Administration & Finance

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Bureau Chief for NCR-Plus ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao & CARAGA Regions JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region & BaSulTa NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG Correspondent AMIR HUSSEIN ABBAS Correspondent COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA DR. BENJ BANGAHAN IMADODIN BASAR DIMAO ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D HAROUN ALRASHID ALONTO LUCMAN JR. ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN PROF. JAHARA A. SOLAIMAN MA. FHEBIE ORTIL DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management.

BUSINESS OFFICE: NCR PLUS SATELLITE OFFICE: Cor. Mercury & Pluto Streets, Rabago Subd., Villa Verde, Iligan City, 9200 Phone: 0915 2184388 | 063 2290965 Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Https://philmuslim.today

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

T

he buzz surrounding the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) extension has been everywhere in the region, with mixed reactions coming from several quarters of the Bangsamoro society. The differing views expressed somehow indicate that the issue is still contentious and debatable.

However, a revisitation of some aspects may help put things into a little perspective.

As my maiden write up, there is a lot to tell, especially with the political season beginning to heat up. But everybody talks about politics. I choose something else.

Today, Wednesday, is September 1, Mindanao State University’s 60th founding anniversary. What’s in it that has not yet been told? That it is the premier institution of higher learning in Mindanao, that it is the melting pot of the south, meaning social assimilation of peoples of different creeds and religion as part of the nation building…

We’ve been saying this for 60 years.. and it did fulfill this vision to a certain degree.

Stories abound of long lasting friendships molded in the campus, or rags to riches stories of alumni hitting big-time pay here and abroad. But skip this part of the MSU story. Everybody says this.

How is MSU now? I haven’t gone around the main campus for much of the times I was in ARMM. Recently I did. And I felt like saying to myself; my goodness, the campus is almost gone.. Residential houses stand next to academic buildings. The fabled MSU Golf Course area was reduced in size due to the construction of a new building. How did this happen? Admin offi-

cials said there was no other area to erect the building so that they had to build it in the golf course.

The squatting in the campus is so terrible the university autonHammerhead omy is literally compromised.

The knowledge of man expands to greater horizons and the number of students increases as humans multiply, so does the need for wider areas for acaMOY ALONTO LUCMAN demic instruction.

One thing is clear; MSU cannot sustain itself as a premier institution with the present condition of its main campus. Besides, security wise, it’s a nightmare.

We cannot expect academic excellence without excellent instructors. And such instructors are hard to attract if safety and security are not assured. This squatting problem has been building up throughout the succession of MSU leaderships. It is everybody’s fault to be fair. One former MSU President was said to have confided in a subordinate while this issue was being discussed: ‘I wish I could wake up from this nightmare and this problem is gone..”

Not that easy, my friend. The real problem is leadership choosing to dodge the issue because he is either weak, or many of those involved are his relatives or friends, or simply lacks appreciation of the far-reaching consequences of the problem. The campus is supLUCMAN | A10

Likened to a crash landing-bound plane We welcome the entry to The Philippine Muslim Today news’ pool of columnists of Haroun Al-Rashid “Momoy” Alonto-Lucman Jr., whose vast experiences as former DILG chief in Lanao del Sur and vice governor of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be apt to share as guide to the new autonomous entity.

In the opening salvo of his Hammerhead column, Momoy touched issues about the Mindanao State University (MSU) system timely in its 60th foundation anniversary celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

He mentioned squatting as one of major concerns affecting the MSU mother or main campus in Marawi City, my own Alma Mater, even as he called for collective efforts to save the academic institution from human-induced setbacks.

“The squatting in the campus is so terrible (as) the university autonomy is literally compromised,” he said, adding that “the problem has been building up throughout the succession of MSU leaderships.”

As one of the pioneer residents of the campus way back in 1960, I witnessed the gradual increase of public and private buildings from dozens to hundreds in a decade.

Mild squatting started from the Martial Law regime, when President Marcos installed his “Mindanao’s strongman” as MSU president in concurrent capacity as governor of Lanao del Sur. Dimaporo’s relatives and political allies built residential houses and commercial buildings in the campus in a domino-like trend that succeeding campus administrators’ failed to contain from spiking to multi-

tude of private houses.

Officials of the Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo, notably Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales drafted Police General Ricardo de Leon, Punchline while he was serving as PNP Deputy Director General for Admin.

News about the Palace officials’ intervention for De Leon prompted me, with constant coordination by key ALI G. MACABALANG alumni, to write stories in the Manila Bulletin questioning the propriety of his imminent appointment in MSU. For a balanced media practice, I and my now deceased colleague in Bulletin, Alejandro “Bong” Reblando, met Gen. De Leon at his Crame office and pressed for an explanation about his Palace-backed nomination.

De Leon said his assignment in MSU would be brief just to solve campus problems about squatting, warlords, drug trade infiltration, and security concerns.

His explanation formed part of my continued writing of stories opposed to a police official’s longer leadership in MSU. One day, Secretary Gonzales called me up to say with assurance that De Leon would leave the campus after putting a stop to squatting and other ills they brought to fore.

De Leon’s and Palace officials’ assurances turned out to be lies because after the police general’s stint in MSU, the squatting problem MACABALANG | A10

Opinion

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

Remembering President Ramon Magsaysay “Mambo, Mambo Magsaysay Mambo, Mambo mabuhay Our democracy will die Kong wala si Magsaysay” - Presidential campaign song for Ramon Magsasysay

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s I was about to write part 6 of Presidential Clashes in 2022, I chanced to read the article of Michael Valenzuela shared to me by my very valued friend, Raul Corrales of Camiguin and Cebu City. The Valenzuela article was written in the month of August 2019, President Magsaysay’s birth month.

After reading the article, I just cannot pass the opportunity to write about President Ramon Magsaysay this month when he would have been celebrating his 114th birthday. It’s a temptation I could not resist because I lived in the Magsaysay years with a lot of memories – delightful and interesting ones. So, part 6 of Clashes must wait until next week, after all the filing of certificates of candidacy is in October this year.

Memories: I could not help feeling nostalgic as I was witness to the rise of Magsaysay to the presidency till he unfortunately died in that plane accident in Mount Manunggal aboard the presidential plane, Mount Pinatubo.

The Magsaysay years as Secretary of National Defense and President of the Philippine were golden years in the history of this country. The country experienced, not just in words but in action, the true meaning of justice and social justice In so far as justice is concerned, Magsaysay went to a town in Negros Occidental where Mayor Moises Padilla was murdered by the goons of Governor Rafael Lacson, lifted and cuddled his body in his arms - earning him headlines in the daily papers and cover stories in magazines including the Philippines Free Press which was the leading and most popular national magazine at that time.

He also brought the Hukbalahap insurgents who surrendered to the

government to Cotabato – give them lands to till which they could call their own. It was a very intelligent move to defang the insurgents which should have been followed through by the successors of Magsaysay. Like the best moves of previous Presidents, the Magsaysay idea and action just withered on the vine.

Nostalgia: When Magsaysay was campaigning for the presidency of the country, the University of the Philippines student population, as usual, was the vanguard of the national student movement.

Rafael Salas was President of the UP-Student Council at the main campus at Diliman, Quezon City organized the National Student Movement for Democracy (NASTUM).

I was one of thousands of UP students who trooped to the San Juan de Dios Hospital at Roxas Boulevard in Manila where Magsaysay was confined for an illness to pray for his early recovery and to inform him that we were supporting him all the way to Malacañang.

In my moments of despair over the current system, I cannot help remembering President Ramon Magsasysay and in utter loneliness, not just hum, but sing “Mambo, Mambo Magsaysay.

Mambo, Mambo Mabuhay. Our democracy will die, kung wala si Magsaysay.” Our democracy has been dying for decades – from one President to another. It is despicable. It is shameful. The politicians are to blame.

But primarily, we, the people, are to blame because we elected them and placed them in offices. As they say, the people get the government they deserve.

And with the way we have been behaving all these years, we deserve this brainless,

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA corrupt, incompetent, and shameless government.

Section 1, Article II of our Constitution provides that “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,” With the years and decades past up to this moment, we are complete failures as sovereigns – either because of cowardice or greed or ignorance or indifference or a combination of all and so much more. What a shame!

Again: President Magsaysay has a lot of memories to share for people who are interested in good and effective government.

Professor of Law Enrique Fernando at the University of the Philippines College of Law at Diliman, Quezon City, used to befuddle and thrill his students with this question almost every week in his morning class – “Do you know where I was today before I came to this class?” Of course, it was met by total silence because no one knew where he came from.

Professor Fernando would follow it up by calling members of the class to answer the same question. As expected, nobody knew.

And then, Professor Fernando broke into a smile and said –“Of course, I had breakfast with the Guy in Malacañang.” Guy was the name used by the people of the whole country who were very fond of him to call President Magsaysay, other than Monching, his nickname. Fernando who was one of the terrors in the College of Law would press his students to answer this question –“What did we talk about?” Again, no one could provide an ADAZA | A11

A5

Hijab, an Islamic concept of modesty and privacy

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hijab is an Islamic concept of modesty and privacy most notably expressed in women’s clothing.

Hence, hijab is a religious veil worn by Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the hair, head and chest. The term can refer to any hair, head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conforms to Islamic standards of modesty. Another interpretation can also refer to the seclusion of women from men in the public sphere, whereas a metaphysical dimension, may refer to “the veil which separates man, or the world, from God”.

For some believers of the Qur’an, Hadith and other classical Arabic texts, the term khimār (Arabic: (‫خِ مار‬ was used to denote a headscarf, and ḥijāb was used to denote a

partition, a curtain, or was used generally for the Islamic rules of modesty and dress for females.

In its traditionalist form, the hijab is worn

by Muslim women to maintain modesty and privacy from unrelated males. According to the Encyclopedia of Islam and Muslim World, modesty concerns both men’s and women’s “gaze, garments, and genitalia.” The Qur’an instructs Muslim women and men to dress modestly.

Some Islamic legal systems define this type of modest clothing as covering everything except the face and hands up to the wrists. These guidelines are found in texts of hadith and fiqh developed after the revelation of the Qur’an but, according to some, are derived from the verses (ayahs) referencing hijab in the Qur’an.

Some believe that the Qur’an itself does not

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL mandate that women need to wear a hijab.

In the verses of the Qur’an, the term hijab refers to a curtain separating visitors to Muhammad’s main house from his wives’ residential lodgings. This interpretation has led some to claim that the mandate of the Qur’an to wear hijab applied only to the wives of Muhammad, and not to entirety of women.

It is required by law in Afghanistan, Iran and the Indonesian province of Aceh. Other countries, both in EuJANNARAL | A11

IMPLICATIONS OF TALIBAN VICTORY IN AFGHANISTAN There is no mujahideen group that struggles for liberation of their homeland and people from colonial domination as fiercely fought as the Taliban!

First, they fought against the military might of the USSR. Then they fought the joint military power of the US and its NATO allies. More or less, it took them 4 decades to fight, defeat and expel two great military powers plus NATO from their country.

Defeating two or three great military powers if we include NATO, is undeniably a feat beyond compare!

This only proves one thing that a united people armed with strong faith can defeat any power on Earth by the will of Allah as He said in the Glorious Qur’an: "How many small nations triumphs over big nations by the will of Allah."

WHO ARE THE TALIBANS? The Talibans were mainly children of Af-

ghan families who migrated to Pakistan when the USSR invaded and occupied Afghanistan after the ouster from power of the Babrak Karmal regime, a Russian puppet regime. The Talibans were Afghan students in madrasas in Pakistan, recruited and trained by the Pakistani military intelligence group and the US CIA, to fight the Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Said covert operation was jointly financed by the CIA and the Saudi Intelligence Group.

After more than four decades of Jihad Fi Sabilillah against three great military powers, they have grown old and became seasoned fighters that defeated world military powers.

THE WITHDRAWAL OF US AND NATO FORCES Two previous US Presidents Barack Obama (D) and Donald Trump (R), committed to bring home the US troops but failed to completely withdraw

Southern Frontier

GERRY SALAPUDDIN them due to certain strategic and security consideration. But President Joe Biden (D) finally and firmly decided to bring home the US troops after failing to defeat the Taliban for 20 years. It was the longest and most expensive war ever fought by the US forces together with its NATO allies, where trillions of US Dollars were spent to fight a war it cannot win.

The Biden administration realizes the futility and high cost of fighting a war it cannot win! It was also a campaign promise which he must keep to the AmeriSALAPUDDIN | A11

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News

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

BARMM launches book on child rights and Islamic sermons

PNP, NBI urged to bare updates on Kabacan massacre

orty-one provincial governors in the Philippines have expressed support on the bid of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for vice president in the 2022 elections.

By PMT News Desk

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COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), launched Thursday the book entitled “Sermons on Child Rights and Islam” in this city.

CBCS Chairperson Guiamel Alim said the Compendium of 44 Child Rights and Islam Sermons has been translated into local languages such as Meranaw, Maguindanaon, Tausug, Teduray, Iranon, Yakan, and Sama.

Alim also said the compendium highlights the importance of Child Rights in Islam and serves as an important resource for Muslim Religious Leaders as they guide parents and community members to care for children.

“With almost all countries in the world signing and ratifying the convention, including the Philippines and Muslim countries, we have also signed the convention on the rights of children,” said Andrew Morris, chief of field office, UNICEFMindanao.

LAUNCHING OF 44 CHILD RIGHTS. The Compendium of 44 Child Rights were launched in Cotabato City recently, (Contributed Photo) Morris also said that there was a study last year affirming that the most influential and reliable sources of information in the Bangsamoro region is from the religious leaders, “therefore their role is vital pertaining to the rights of children and peace as well.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ahod “Al Hajj Murad” Ebrahim said in a video message that the rights of a child is not new to Islam.

“In fact, in various occasions and episodes on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions. Several of these rights were taught including children’s rights to be fed, clothed, and protected until they reach adulthood,” Ebrahim noted.

“These teachings can be relayed further to our fellow Bangsamoro and Muslims through the weekly Khutba (sermon). Such method is the most effective when relaying a message to our respective communities,” the Chief Minister added.

Alim said that the development of child rights sermon and its translation into various languages, pertaining to children protection, and survival, is the most welcome development in the Bangsamoro region.

The vaccination is also one of the most important topics in the books, as far as the issue of ‘halal and haram’ (permitted and forbidden) is concerned.

Muslim Religious Leaders from Hay-atol Ulama Al-Muslimin in the Philippines and the Committee on Da’wah and Masajid Affairs were also engaged in developing the 44 Child Rights Sermons.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

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ABACAN, North Cotabato – Moro officials and residents here alongside supporters from outside areas have called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National BuEngr. Fathma Guiabar, an elected Kabacana Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member, led several justiceseekers a peace rally on Aug. 29 at the same road spot near a secondary gate of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus here where bonnetwearing armed men herded and executed nine motorcycle-riding farmers exactly a year ago.

“Where is the justice now? … I hope the cry for justice in the killing of our Bangsamoro brothers will not be forgotten,” Councilor Guibar, using a megaphone, said at the rally marking the massacre’s first year anniversary.

The town SB passed a resolution calling for the PNP and NBI leaderships to publicize honest results of their probes on the incident, a copy of which was read by Guiabar at the rally.

Investigations said nine victims aboard separate motorbikes were unarmed and traveling from Barangay Aringgay here when hooded armed men flagged them down, herded them to the roadside and fired at them. These refuted an earlier report that the incident was a shootout.

Eight of the victims were killed on the spot, while the ninth victim named as Nasher “Tong” Guiaman succumbed to bullet wounds in hospital.

CHR-XII Director Erland Deluvio, citing tips from grieving kin, said Guiaman before dying had confessed

reau of Investigation (NBI) to reveal their findings on the massacre of nine Muslim farmers in this town a year ago.

UNSOLVED MASSACRE? A photo culled from videorecorded footage of a rally led by Kabacan, North Cotabato councilor Fathma Guiabar on Aug. 29 at the scene of the massacre of nine Moro farmers exactly one year ago. that their attackers were cops.

The eight other victims were named as Kors Salilangan, Sandigan Zailon, Benladin Dimanalao, Romeo Balatamay, Katindig Kagayawon, and Fahad Mandigan, all residents of Kabacan town; Budsal Lipusan of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao; and Musaid Jaiden of Midsayap town in North Cotabato province.

Due to the alleged involvement of cops, seven Muslim members of the House of Representatives filed a resolution for a joint inquiry on the massacre. But the inquiry did not materialize for an unknown reason.

On Sept. 2, 2020, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, upon assuming office as new PNP chief, vowed to launch a probe on the incident after Crame reporters informed him of alleged cops’ involvement in the incident.

The North Cotabato provincial government reportedly organized a special task group composed of probers from the provincial police office, the Criminal

Investigation and Detection Group, and Kabacan LGU representatives to jointly investigate the incident.

The local military establishment also conducted a separate probe due to the implication of the incident to the state’s peace deals with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Three of the fatalities were reportedly members of the MILF. NBI local agents were also reported to have conducted their own investigation of the massacre as residents here saw them deployed on the scene and at a rally held a couple of days later.

Last year, Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) news sources said some USM security guards witnessed the incident, even as one of them had corroborated the alleged involvement of cops.

Bangsamoro autonomous government Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, who also chairs the MILF, had tasked his Public Order and Safety Minister Hussein Muñoz as

well as the Bangsamoro Commission on Human Rights to conduct a parallel probe.

Ebrahim had also dispatched a team from his Ministry of Social Services and Development to interview relatives of the massacre victims and provide them financial assistance.

Alleged police ‘mistaken retaliation’ There were speculations that the massacre here could be a “mistaken retaliation” by cops, notably loyal subordinates of Police Major Joan Resurrecion, lady police chief of adjacent Carmen town, who was killed by motorcycles-riding armed robbers on Aug. 25 or four days before the carnage here.

Published reports said Maj. Resurreccion and some subordinates aboard a patrol car responded to a flash report that armed men robbed and killed a money lender on the border of Carmen and this town minutes earlier.

A shootout ensued between the responding law enforcers and the armed robbers, leaving Maj. Resurrecion killed.

According to unconfirmed information, Resurrecion’s subordinates suspected the robbers as Moro residents of this town, and that they were enraged over seeing their lady official fatally shot repeatedly by the attackers.

But residents here said the police reprisal was “mistaken” because all the massacre victims were farmers.

(AGM/PMT)

JOB OPPORTUNITY !!!

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY, fast growing newspaper in Southern Philippines, is in need of Field Reporters and Correspondents, Editors and Advertising Associates. Email Resume to: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com

News

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

BARMM awards ambulances to IPHO Tawi-Tawi

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SPDA tackles on-going projects in ExeCom meeting

By PMT NEWS DESK

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OTABATO CITY – The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of Tawi-Tawi is now capable of prompt response to health and medical emergencies among its clientele, with IPHO officials received the four ambulance units and medical supplies from Dr. Abdulhalik Kasim and Laxamana Bangcola, deputy minister for island provinces and director for administration and finance, respectively, of BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MOH), the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said on Thursday.

The turnover rite was held at the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital (DHSMH) compound in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi’s provincial capital, on August 29, the BIO said.

The MOH purchased the land and sea ambulance units alongside medical supplies from the Transition Development Impact Funds (TDIFs) of Members of Parliament (MPs) Amilbahar Mawallil and Al-Syed Sali. TDIF is a counterpart in BARMM of the Congressional Develop-

its recent acquisition of two land and two sea ambulance vehicles from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance.

SCRUTINY & REVIEW: Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdulghani “Gerry” Ajul Salapuddin of the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) scrutinizes and reviews closely the inputs of the different managers from the departments of SPDA; as well as the regional offices of the Authority in Mindanao. (Contributed Photo)

M LAND AND SEA AMBULANCES. Workers ready the scene of ceremonial turnover of land and sea ambulance units from MOH-BARMM to the IPHO in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on August 29. (Supplied photos) ment Fund of national lawmakers.

MPs Mawallil and Sali earmarked the IPHO, known as DHSMH, as recipient of one land ambulance, one mobile X-ray ambulance, and one sea ambulance, according to Dr. Sangkula Laja, IPHO chief.

Laja said the other sea ambulance along-

side half million-peso worth of assorted medicines was received Alawadin T. Bandon Sr., municipal hospital chief of Sitangkai, the hometown of MP Mawallil.

At the turnover ceremony, Dr. Laja expressed gratitude to Mawallil and Sali, both representatives of TawiTawi to the 80-seat

Bansamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, as well as the MOH and BARMM leaderships.

Health workers from different Tawi-Tawi island towns attended the ceremony, and expressed pleas from continued if not enhanced support from the BARMM governance. (AGM)

SPDA discusses on-going projects

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ATINA, Davao City — The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) based on its flagship project SPDA 2030 and Beyond conducted its continuing special executive committee (Execom) meeting on Wednesday, September 1 here at its main office in this city.

The special Execom was convened by SPDA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdulghani “Gerry” Ajul Salapuddin.

The special executive committee meeting was convened to thresh out matters that concern the Authority’s operations and updates on the various ongoing projects in Mindanao.

SPDA Admin & CEO Salapuddin received and analyzed the inputs from managers of the different departments and regional offices of the Authority in Mindanao.

It can be recalled that the SPDA is mandated to promote the development of Mindanao by initiating and undertaking by itself or otherwise development or business projects of corporate and economic in nature whether in agriculture, power, infrastructure, energy, public utilities, land development, manufacturing, exploration and utilization of natural resources and other fields or projects.

The SPDA is also mandated to make investments in any fields that would enhance the economic development in Mindanao.

As this developed, the areas of concern during this special meeting include the construction of the administrator’s office at Catalunan Pequeno in this city; the poultry project in Sulop, Davao del Sur; construction of the 2-storey SPDA building along

Participants of the mangrove tree planting listened attentively as MENRE Tawi-Tawi CENRE Officer Saido Espiliro gave technical instruction on how to plant young mangrove trees at the target site in Kubang Mandulan Mangrove Ecosystem in TawiTawi province. (Contributed Photo)

Veterans Avenue in Zamboanga City; updates on the ongoing Wao-Bumbaran agribusiness ventures in Lanao del Sur; updates on the SPDA Regional Satellite Office IX business undertakings; the GCG requirements; and updates on the InterGovernmental Fiscal Board, among others.

Generally, the SPDA has the functions and powers to foster and accelerate the balanced growth of the Southern Philippines for national economic, social and political stability.

While specifically, the SPDA can exercise the powers of a corporation; can acquire, lease or hold personal and real properties; can exercise the right of eminent domain; can contract indebtedness and issue bonds; can engage or invest or extend loans and guarantees or to enter into joint ventures with

ATINA, Davao City — The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) based on its flagship project SPDA 2030 and Beyond conducted its continuing special executive committee (Execom) meeting on Wednesday, September 1 here at its main office in this city.

The special Execom was convened by SPDA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdulghani “Gerry” Ajul Salapuddin.

The special executive committee meeting was convened to thresh out matters that concern the Authority’s operations and updates on the various ongoing projects in Mindanao.

SPDA Admin & CEO Salapuddin received and analyzed the inputs from managers of the different departments and regional offices of the Authority in Mindanao.

It can be recalled that the SPDA is mandated to promote the development of Mindanao by initiating and undertaking by itself or otherwise development or business projects of corporate and economic in nature whether in agriculture, power, infrastructure, energy, public utilities, land development, manufacturing, exploration and utilization of natural resources and other fields or projects.

The SPDA is also mandated to make investments in any fields that would enhance the economic development in Mindanao.

As this developed, the areas of concern during this special meeting include the construction of the administrator’s office at Catalunan Pequeno in this city; the poultry project in Sulop, Davao del Sur; construction of the 2-storey SPDA building along Veterans Avenue in Zamboanga City; updates on the ongoing Wao-Bumbaran agribusiness ventures in Lanao del Sur; updates on the SPDA Regional Satellite Office IX business undertakings; the GCG requirements; and updates on the InterGovernmental Fiscal Board, among others.

Generally, the SPDA has the functions and powers to foster and accelerate the balanced growth of the Southern Philippines for national economic, social and political stability.

While specifically, the SPDA can exercise the powers of a corporation; can acquire, lease or hold personal and real properties; can exercise the right of eminent domain; can contract indebtedness and issue bonds; can engage or invest or extend loans and guarantees or to enter into joint ventures with Filipino and foreign investors; can establish subsidiary corporation/s; and charge and collect fees.

Meanwhile, the SPDA as a government agency has the vision to foster and accelerate the balance growth of the Southern Philippines within the context of the national plans and policies by the activation of mass participation in the processes of development to be exercised through a unified responsive agency.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

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News

MinDA pushes ‘one’ digitalized Mindanao’s agri data

41 provincial governors support PRRD’s VP bid

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orty-one provincial governors in the Philippines have expressed support on the bid of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for vice president in the 2022 elections.

“We laud and support President Duterte’s decision to accept the offer of the administration PDPLaban party to run for Vice President in next year’s elections,” the governors said in a press statement.

The governors said as vice president, Duterte could influence his successor to pursue his war on drugs, his Build, Build, Build infrastructure plan, projects for the poor, and his post-Covid 19 pandemic economic recovery roadmap, among others.

They said despite the inroads in the campaign against illegal drugs, the drug menace continues to persist. “Indeed, this problem is no longer confined to urban areas; it has spread to the countryside. The next administration, with the help of President Duterte, should relentlessly pursue the war on drugs,” they added.

“We, provincial governors, are witness to the gains of the Build, Build, Build program. New road networks, school buildings, airports, seaports, medical facilities, and river protection and drainage systems have mushroomed in the provinces, generating economic activities, jobs and income for our people. We have to continue building and improving infrastructure to speed up urban and rural development,” the provincial chief executives said.

The nation was on a high economic growth path until the pandemic struck in early 2020. It’s unfortunate that Covid-19 derailed economic progress. But with President Duterte’s guiding hand, the next leadership could do it. The President’s war on drugs, his campaign against corruption, his prudent use of government resources, and his incessant pursuit of good governance will all contribute to a post-pandemic environment conducive for faster economic growth.

The 41 provincial governors who signed the statement are: Jose Alvarez- Palawan; Gov. Dale Corvera – Agusan Norte; Gov. Damian Mercado – Southern Leyte; Humerlito Dolor – Oriental Mindoro; Gov. Sakur Tan – Sulu; Dakila Cua – Quirino; Nancy Catamco – Cotabato; Art Yap – Bohol; Edgardo Tallado – Camarines Norte; Gov. Wilter Palma – Zamboanga Sibugay; Francisco Matugas – Surigao Norte; Jim Salliman – Basilan; Gov. Reynolds Michael Tan – Samar; Esteban Contreras – Capiz; Edwin Ong – Northern Samar; Dominic Petilla – Leyte; Roger Espina -Biliran; Antonio Kho – Masbate; Imelda Dimaporo – Lanao del Norte; Vic Yu – Zamboanga del Sur; Philip Tan – Misamis Occidental; Ayik Pimentel – Surigao del Sur; Jecoy Villa – Siquijor; Pacoy Ortega – La Union; Joel Degamo- Negros Oriental; Joseph Cua – Catanduanes; Eduardo Gadiano – Occidental Mindoro; Samuel Gumarin – Guimaras; Steve Solon – Sarangani; Jim Hataman – Basilan; Jun EbdaneZambales; Migs Villafuerte – Camarines Sur; Bai Mariam Mangudadatu – Maguindanao; Suharto Mangudadatu- Sultan Kudarat; Samuel GumarinGuimaras; Joe Riano-Romblon; Rodora Cadiao – Antique; Al Francis Bicharado- Southern Leyte; Bonifacio Lacwasan – Mountain Province; Florencio Miraflores – Aklan; and Ben Evardone – Eastern Samar.

(PR)

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

By PMT News Desk

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IDAPAWAN CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority is pushing for adoption in the Southern Philippines of single digital data Sec. Piñol tags the thrust as “One Mindanao, One Data” (OMOD) program, which he said will cover all provinces in the island region, starting with Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato and Surigao del Sur. “At 4 a.m. today, I took off from Kidapawan City for an 8-hour journey to Tandag City, Surigao del Sur to launch the digitalization program of the province,” Piñol said on his social media post Tuesday morning.

He said Surigao del Sur would be the third province to adopt the program, following North Cotabato.

The digitalization program was earlier launched in Misamis Oriental, “making history

on agricultural and fisheries concerns to ensure harmony and swift growth in such sectors, MinDA chief Manny Piñol announced.

Above is a MinDA-supplied image of digital map of Mindanao by being the first province to go digital,” recalled Piñol, a staunch advocate for agricultural growth as a vital key to the country’s meaningful progress.

OMOD program is a digital platform that aims to establish a reliable, accurate, and real-time database of Mindanao’s

agriculture and fisheries sectors, he said.

It will contain commodities per area, production maps and volume, market information, farmers and organizations’ profiles, demand and supply monitoring, he added.

“The database shall be linked with the Min-

DA Tienda, an ecommerce platform to increase products’ marketability, ensuring the integration of a complete value chain concept,” Piñol pointed out.

When completed, the OMOD program would digitally connect all provinces in Mindanao and allow easy exchange of information on available supplies and market demand among farmers and market players, he said.

The Philippines is basically an agricultural nation, but only through capacitating farmers’ to get directly involved in the complete value chain will effectively emancipate them from the bondage of the soil, the MinDA chief added. ((PMT)

Creation of 2 hospitals in memory of MILF leaders pushed COTABATO CITY — Four bills have been filed at the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament to build two hospitals in memory of two leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and to upgrade two existing hospitals in the new autonomous region.

Member of Parliament (MP) Saffrullah Dipatuan, a physician from Lanao del Sur, filed on August 25 BTA Bills 97 and 98 to build a Ghazali Jaafar Memorial Hospital in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, and an MILF founder Hashim Salamat.

Ustadz Hashim Salamat Memorial Hospital in Pikit, North Cotabato, both with proposed 50-bed capacities, the BTA information division said.

The late Jaafar, a native resident of Sultan Kudarat town serving as MILF Central Committee 1st vice chairman, was incumbent BTA Parliament member when he died of lingering ailment on March 13, 2019 at the age of 74. He was the chair of the MILF panel in peace talks with the government that gave birth to Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Building a hospital at Barangay Simuay will memorialize Jaafar’s humble role in the negotiation for BOL, also known as R.A. 11054, and at the same time boost the services of the existing Sanitarium hospital in Sultan Kudarat town, it was learned from MP Dipatuan’s supporters who helped craft BTA Bill 97.

The BOL, a legal translation of the 2014 MILFGovernment Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is the Charter of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

On the other hand, a Ustadz Hashim Salamat

Memorial Hospital proposed under BTA Bill 98 shall be constructed in Pikit town to serve residents in villages there and the rest of 63 barangays in North that opted for including in BARMM, according to MP Dipatuan, who is a physician himself.

Pikit is the native hometown of Salamat, the MILF founding chairman, who died of lingering ailment in Lanao del Sur on July 13, 2003 at age 61.

“The reason why I propose the establishment (of hospital) in North Cotabato is that, currently, there is no hospital in the 63 barangays that opted to join the BARMM,” said Dipatuan, who once served as health minister.

Dipatuan pointed out: “More than 200,000 Bangsamoro brothers and sisters are living in this area without the benefit of having a hospital of their own.”

He said his Bills 100 and 101 seek the upgrading of Datu Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Tawi -Tawi and Buluan District Hospital in Maguindanao from Level I to Level II hospitals to in- MILF First Vice Chair Ghazali Jaafar. crease their 50-bed capacities 100.

Medical facilities in BARMM started spiking to “critical bed count due to continuing increase” in Covid-19 patients, the BTA information division quoted Dr. Dipatuan as asserting.

He also reportedly stressed that aside from reaching capacity limits, medical staffing has also been a long-standing problem since the start of the pandemic.

MP Dipatuan urged his colleagues in the Parliament to support his bills and help ensure ample health services in the autonomous territory and memorialize also the exploits of personalities in the struggle for self-determination.

ALI G. MACABALANG

JRL)

Tourism | Culture

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

Education: The Key to Socio-Economic Transformation of the Badjaos (Part II)

Veggie Mee Goreng (Fried Noodles)

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asic facts showed that there were few educational programs, both formal and nonformal, for the Badjaos and rarely have they benefitted in said programs. Educational interventions given by the local providers (e.g.

LGU’s, CSO’s and some public and state educational institutions) are seemed to be ineffective because they did not look deeper into the social -being, characteristics and most important the economic capacity of a Badjao family or families to send and sustain their children to attend both formal and non-formal education.

The Badjao Kids Coin Divers.

While the current policy of the Philippine Government is ‘free education for all from elementary grades to collegiate level’, this could hardly apply to the Badjaos who remain to be poor and destitute. Majority of the Badjao family or families can only live in ‘day -to-day basis’. Whatever they earned for the day from the bounties of the seas as fishers and seafood gatherers are only good to feed them for little number of days. In times of unfavorable weather conditions there is no other means to rely on. That is why we see most of the adult male Badjaos and able-bodied youngsters are found in piers and streets doing labor works for very small fees. Some of their women can be seen as street beggars; and their toddlers, in a small bancas, are seen waiting for an incoming commercial vessels hoping to pick-up some coins or left-over foodstuffs tossed by sympa-

thetic passengers.

These children are the so-called ‘coin-divers’ which are common scene in almost ports in the region.

Looking at these miserable situations one can surmised that there is very little hope that the Badjaos can disentangled their lot from the vicious cycle of poverty.

Getting some feedbacks from sociologists and prominent academicians, there are remedies and practical solutions that can be of help to overturn the sad plight of the Badjaos.

Here are some suggestions: A. Establish schools that are exclusives for the Badjao children – There should be a school especially in the elementary level that should be exclusive for the Badjao children knowing that Badjaos are ‘clannish’ and has low tolerance for other ‘higher tribes’ to avoid discrimination, intimidation and ‘bullying’ in-

This Badjao children is without school in their village to acquire basic learning.

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BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH With Maria Fhebie Ortil

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D.

side the classrooms.

Because they are so poor, their school needs and stuffs should be provided by government agencies concerned and their parents be subsidized in cash or in kind (food allowances) to sustain a decent living in order to sustain and continuity of schooling of their children.

B. Recruit teachers from among the Badjaos who have earned a degree from the college. – According to my source it is better to hire and assign teach-

have earned their college degrees should be given special privilege to enlist in the military establishment like the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy and other Allied military branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that requires the talent and expertise of the Badjaos as most fitted in the performance of duties along maritime, nautical and navigations.

Other these, the Badjaos can be utilized as athletes during IntraAFP mini-Olympics to

Five of these six swimmers are Badjaos who won gold medals in a regional competition representing MSUTawiTawi. ers who come from their own tribal group and those sympathetic to the Badjao cause and aspirations. The source added that there are a number of Badjao students who have graduated from their schools (a state college) but remain unemployed because they do not have the ‘right connections’ to the ‘bureaucracy’. Most of these graduates will just go back to their home place and revert back as fishermen and seaweed farmers to help their family. Said Badjao graduates managed to finish their schooling because they were given scholarships as college athletes in volleyball and swimming.

C. Enlist them in the military service.

– Again, my source suggested that those who

represent them in the games of beach volleyball, swimming, water polo, and other aquasports like rowing, kayaking and dragon boats racing.

D. Include and recruit (with full privileges and financial support) the Badjaos male athletes who have potentials in swimming and games of volleyball to be trained in the national sports agencies like the Philippine Sports Commission. – It will be recalled that a number of Philippine Olympian swimmers belongs to the Badjao tribes like Bana Sailani, Leroy Goff and Jairulla Jaitulla, in the 60’s and 70’s. A number of SamaBadjao volleyball athletes can be found in leading colleges and universities around the country. (JRL)

S

ince last June of 2020 when we launched the Philippine Muslim Today on June 19 with its maiden issue, we have discussed so many cuisines like beef, chicken, and fish.

We are now on Volume 2, No. 12, and l would like to shift to different kinds of noodles. Here I would like to discuss with you about Fried Noodles commonly served in so many Malaysian restaurants.

Hence, for the PMT-19 Vol. 2, No. 12, I would like to present to you the Veggie Mee Goreng (Fried Noodles) made with only vegetables and vegan ingredients.

This easy veggie fried noodles recipe are with ketchup, soy sauce, and lime.

INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoons cooking oil 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 3 pieces dried bean curd, cut into small pieces 1 potato, boiled, peeled, and sliced into wedges 1 big tomato, cut into wedges 1 handful fresh bean sprouts 1 lb. (0.4 kg) fresh yellow noodles, rinsed and drained chopped scallions, for garnishing Red chili, for garnishing Fried shallots, for garnishing 1 lime, cut into wedges SAUCE: 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce or kecap manis 3 tablespoons tomato ketchup Sugar and salt to taste INSTRUCTIONS: Heat up a wok and pour in the cooking oil.

Add the garlic and stir fry until aromatic then add the bean curd and potato and tomato wedges.

Do a few quick stirs and then add the yellow noodles and the Sauce and continue stirring until everything is well combined.

Add sugar and salt to taste.

Add in the bean sprouts and quick stir for another 1 minute.

Turn off the heat, dish out, garnish with the scallions, red chili, and fried shallots.

Squeeze some lime juice over the noodles before eating. (MFO)

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News ETC

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

LUCMAN | from Page A4

MSU is lifeline in Marawi City posed to be a thousand hectares. Not even half that size is now available to the university.

Marawi minus MSU would be like a human body reduced to a skeleton. It is everything to the city; it pumps hard cash to the city, generates employment, livelihood, businesses etc, educates people in and out of the classroom, promotes tourism, friendship, camaraderie, understanding, loyalty, and even love. Love of MSU or love ending in marital bliss puts Marawi on the global map.

For reasons mind bogglingly inexplicable, the Maranao is destroying the university. Officials and non-officials are all part of the blame – all of us, no exception. The solution can be as radical as anyone

can imagine: Vacate the school premises to allow growth and expansion.

At pre-siege level, the student population was 14,000 according to official records. It produces around 900 grads every year. Education is unbelievably cheap. If you are smart enough, tuition is free. If you are academically smart, the university gives you a monthly stipend. God bless my uncle, late Sen. Ahmad Domocao Alonto Sr. for the creation of this iconic school. But he would have been fuming mad at the sight of its current state.

Malacañang, BARMM, Provincial government, City Hall, and other Lanao LGUs should work together to retrieve the lands illegally occupied. And more – develop the campus environment as auton-

omous, academic, and student friendly. Much like when it was during the seventies. We need to be constantly reminded that MSU is a blessing designed to outlast every generation so that this blessing continues to the next and next.

No one is bigger than MSU. Everybody is morally bound to protect and preserve this institution in each other’s own way, big or small, because either you have a son or daughter or relative or friend benefitting or will benefit from its continued existence education-wise, employment-wise, or in any way, financial wise.

In a nutshell, MSU is a lifeline. Without it, Marawi is lifeless. Protect MSU! PMT

MACABALANG | from Page A4

IGRB ought to remedy ills in BARMM governance even became like a norm when the warlords that he was supposed to dismantle turned out to be his protectors.

I felt terribly sorry to see a drone-taken aerial image of the MSU main campus’ close to 1,000hectare brimming with residential houses and private buildings.

In my recent visit to the campus, I saw the lot

formerly occupied by a building the state-run DXSO radio station and my office as provincial head of the Office of Media Affairs has been squatted and built with a tall private edifice.

But it appears to me that squatting problem is just a secondary issue nowadays. The MSU main campus brims with qualification-wanting appointed rank and file personnel who dislodged alumni aspir-

ants.

In a recent huddle, an incumbent key official of the MSU system claimed that unless drastic remedies are done, the university campus is like “an airplane poised to nose dive in crash landing.”

(Comments and reactions may be sent to this columnist via alimac.bulletin@gmail.con or via Facebook messenger.)

ADAZA | from Page A5

Remembering President Ramon Magsaysay answer. Fernando, this time smirking, thundered, “Of course, we were talking about affairs of State!”

Professor Fernando was not joking as he was one of the chief advisers of Magsaysay. As far as I can remember, one of the major contributions of Fernando to President Magsaysay is the slogan that became one of the touchstones of his presidency – “He who has less in life should have more in law.” This is not an original from Fernando- it came from Professor Thomas Reed Powell of Yale University. This slogan which was at the core of Magsaysay’s presidency reflects the fact that President Ramon Magsaysay was a man of the masses.

He was their Guy. He was my Guy. Standards: This is a Magsaysay quote in the Valenzuela article worth remembering – “I believe that a high and unwavering sense of morality should pervade all spheres of governmental activity. I believe that the President should set the example of a big heart, an honest mind, sound instincts, the virtue of healthy impatience and an abiding love for the common man.” These are excellent beliefs but the problem is that these beliefs are not shared by other politicians and workers in government.

After Magsaysay, the crooks were again on the

road riding high. The President must not now only announce standards of behavior but must insure that such standards are followed to the letter by everyone. Other than these and most important is the President must have a vision and blueprint of the country he wants to live in and govern. It is not enough to love the country and people though this should be the main pillar of his vision and blue print. He must have balls in his brains and brains in his balls to enforce the standards he defines. And, he should have draconian measures, within the confines of the Constitution, to enforce the law and do justice so the ills of the country like graft and corruption, illegal drugs, abuse of power could be exterminated under a well defined specific program of action.

Another good standard that President Magsaysay had set to test policy and program of action is whether it would be approved by the people. Before implementation, he would ask his trusted advisers - “Could we defend this in Plaza Miranda?” In Magsaysay’s time, Plaza Miranda, which borders the Cathedral of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, politicians and their parties defended their platforms in this Plaza. This is the site of the acid

test whether a policy or program of action is acceptable to the people.

Reminiscences: Those were the days when the people of this country truly loved their President, a true leader – humble without pretenses, unassuming despite his office and truly a Man of the People.

I miss President Ramon Magsaysay. I miss singing and dancing to Mambo, Mambo Magsaysay, Mambo, Mambo Mabuhay, Our democracy will die, Kung wala si Magsaysay.

If I were to write the epitaph of President Magsaysay, I will borrow the line at the foot of the statue of Governor John Peter Atgeld of Illinois, USA, one of the best leaders of men which reads – “In the great flood of life that is spawned upon this Earth, it is not often that a Man is born.” Add to that these lines from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s A Psalm of Life - to remind us of the greatness of the Guy, “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.”

SALAHUDDIN | from Page A5

IMPLICATIONS OF TALIBAN VICTORY IN AFGHANISTAN can people when he said: "I stand firmly on my decision to completely withdraw American forces from Afghanistan and bring them home. Why will the American forces fight a war where the Afghans are not willing to fight for themselves?" He was referring to the surrender of the Afghan Forces of their military camps and weapons to the Taliban which expedited the conquest of Afghanistan speedily for only few weeks.

COMPARISON OF THE MNLF STRUGGLE TO THE TALIBAN STRUGGLE The MNLF struggle or jihad fi sabilillah which started in 1972 during the Marcos regime was only a fight against imperial Manila. No direct foreign power like the US was involved. And the Manila government was not as prepared as they are today. In fact, Gen. Fortunato Abat, Commanding General of the Philippine Army even wrote a book entitled: "The Day We Almost Lost Mindanao," to give emphasis on how the MNLF almost won the war, if it did not disintegrated into factionalism due to leadership mismanagement and the effect of the

successful policy of attraction and reconciliation which caused the return to the folds of government by many foreign trained cadre officers and mass leaders, bringing with them their weapons.

The MNLF leadership also failed to equip and match the firepower requirements of the Bangsamoro Army (BMA) in the ground in order to achieve military power parity with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Instead of only one tube of single M203 and a tube of 81MM Mortar, the BMA in all the provinces must have been provided more M203s and at least a 6 or 12 tubes of 81MM mortar, aside from the small firearms. In Basilan for instance, the BMA only possessed more and more M203 because they captured from the government troops, and some few bought from gunrunners.

There are still other factors which cause the weakening of the MNLF struggle, which was later, continued by the MILF after MNLF Chairman signed the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) on September 2, 1996 with the Philippine government and later became Regional Governor of the ARMM. But

I don't want to discuss it here this time. In my book, soon to be published, I lengthily discussed it all objectively.

On the other hand, the Taliban mujahideen, who are descendants of unconquered warriors, were possessed with great faith, united and their foreign supporters were their immediate neighbors.

Hence, the transport or shipment of any material and financial assistance was easier and faster. To the end, they were never torn by factionalism. Maybe, they have effective leadership that was able to marshal their unwavering dedication, despite they were fighting great military powers one after the other. That is why, Allah granted them great victory which must have made the US and European colonizers never to over estimate their military power over the desire for freedom of every nation.

Countries that maltreated their Muslim minority population like China and India and even Israel realize that the power of faith can conquer or defeat oppressive regimes, if willed by Allah.

(PMT)

JRL)

Vol. II, No. 12 | Sept. 3-9, 2021 (Muharram 26-Safar 2, 1443)

BARMM builds ‘bahay pagasa’ for locked-up juveniles

By PMT News Desk

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OTABATO CITY – In pursuit of inclusive and responsive administration, the fledgling Bangsamoro governance has embarked on providing focal attention to locked -up juvenile or children in conflict with the law, the Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) news learned Wednesday.

This time, concerned members of Parliament (MPs) of the Bangasamoro Transition Authority (BTA) guide the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) in building edifices called “bahay pag-asa” to provide rehabilitative atmosphere for juveniles in prisons where traditional lockup cells failed and thus, compounded spoilage in the youth sector.

In an interview with the PMT over the phone Wednesday, MP Eduard Guerra, an architect serving concurrently as MPH minister, confirmed the ongoing construction of “bahay pag-asa” buildings in Basilan and Sulu.

Guerra did not give details, but said the stride is something innovative that past administrations in the area of regional autonomy and even other regions in the country might have overlooked.

In separate phone interview, MP Raissa Jajurie, a lawyer and incumbent regional social welfare minister, said she is involved indirectly with the past planning and ongoing construction of the “bahay pag-asa” in Sulu because somehow the project’s focus forms part of the scope of operations of her ministry for the youth sector.

The BTA Parliament’s Information Division, in a statement, said MP Laisa Alamia, a lawyer, led the ground-breaking ceremony recently for the construction of the “bahay pag-asa” in Basilan, particularly in Lamitan City.

Alamia, a former regional chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights and erstwhile executive secretary of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the construction of “bahay pag-asa” is fleshing out public clamor for fortified juvenile justice and welfare system in the succeeding autonomous region.

Republic Act 10630, or the Juve-

BAHAY PAG-ASA FOR LOCKED-UP JUVENILES. Bangsamoro governance officials launch the construction of “bahay pag-aga” for locked-up juveniles in Lamitan City. (BTA supplied photo) nile Justice and Welfare Act, prescribes for the establishment of “Bahay Pag-asa” as a 24-hour caring institution for children in conflict with law (CICL).

In 2015, the defunct social welfare department of ARMM which Alamia also once led as secretary, had recorded and dealt with 72 CICL broken down at 36 in Maguindanao, 29 in Sulu, and seven in Tawi-Tawi. In the data were, there was no disaggregation by demographics by age or nature of alleged offense and the diversionary measure applied.

“Every time we talk about children in conflict with the law, it fills us with deep regret whenever we realize that a 12-year-old has already spent three years in the provincial jail or detention center with adults and was left there with little support or supervision” Alamia said in the Parliament statement.

“Imagine, a child has already lost opportunities to learn and study in school. He could have been under rehabilitation and recovery while his case was pending,” she added.

Alamia emphasized the state’s role in protecting the rights of children at risk and children in conflict with the law.

“If we want a child rights-compliant juvenile justice system,” she said, “we need to have proper care and rehabilitation services, and this requires adequate child-friendly rehabilitation facilities with a functioning system that upholds child’s rights across the country.”

“This is what the Bahay Pag-asa is for,” Alamia stressed.

Official data from the Child Rights Network show that of the 114 provinces and HUCs, 58 are operational and only eight have fully complied with the

requirements set by the law as of November 2018.

None of these facilities are located in the BARMM, the Parliament statement said.

Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay, represented by City Administrator Ligaya Buenaventura, thanked the Office of MP Alamia, the MPW, the provincial government of Basilan, and all development partners present in the launching rite.

“We hope to advance the rights of children at risk and children in conflict with the law,” Buenaventura said, “and with the first-ever Bahay Pag-Asa in BARMM, we can protect and provide them with intervention to help them become better members of society.”

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Anwari Akalun echoed the same sentiment in his message. He said they can now “better respond to the needs of children at risk and children in conflict with the law with the Bahay Pag-Asa” and described the groundbreaking event as historical. (AGM/PMT News Desk)

MP Dipatuan pushes upgrading of hospitals in BARMM COTABATO CITY: Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Dr. Saffrulah Dipatuan urged his colleagues in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament to prioritize bills on hospital upgrade and establishment in the region, as well as the procurement of additional oxygen tanks.

“I am asking my colleagues to please help me and join me in passing these proposed bills that will convert hospitals from Level I bed capacity to Level II bed capacity,” Dipatuan said in his privilege speech.

Dipatuan, a former BARMM Health Minister, filed four hospital bills last week of which two aimed to construct new hospitals, while the other two aimed to increase medical bed capacity.

Parliament Bill Nos. 96 and 98 seek to establish general hospitals with 50-bed capacity in Masiu, Lanao del Sur (LDS), and Pikit, North Cotabato.

Parliament Bills Nos. 75 and 99 call for the Dr. Serapio B. Montaner Al-haj Memorial Hospital in LDS to be upgraded from Level I to Level II, with 100 beds, and the

conversion of Tamparan District Hospital to Lanao del Sur Provincial Hospital, with a bed capacity of 150.

Dipatuan said the mentioned facilities have reached their occupancy limit, serving around 200,000 individuals across 17 municipalities and coastal areas in the BARMM. Aside from charging free for treatment confinement, hospitals were also providing free home medications to patients.

“It is therefore important that these hospitals be upgraded so that they can cater to their clients. It is a policy of these hospitals that all patients are enjoying no balance fee,” Dipatuan told the august body.

Once passed, the bills will ensure the access and delivery of health services to the Bangsamoro people, particularly the indigents and marginalized sectors in the region.

It can be recalled in August 25, the Parliament approved the bill seeking to procure an additional P50million worth of additional oxygen tanks.

JUMUNIR I. JANNARAL

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DBP to install ATMs in Taraka this month – MinDA

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ARAKA, Lanao del Sur – The Development Bank of the Philippines, in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), will install this month two automated teller machine (ATM) kiosks at the commercial center of this town end age-old absence of banking facility among public and private sectors here.

This was announced in passing by MinDA Chairman Manny F. Piñol in a huddle with the Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) news and other fellow media workers at the sidelight of the leadership turnover ceremony of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, North Cotabato on Aug. 25.

DBP President Emmanuel Herbosa is expected to return here to grace the installation of the two ATM facilities this week or the next, according to Sec. Piñol.

Herbosa and Piñol alongside respective teams and officials of the agriculture ministry of the Bangsamoro region had converged here last Aug. 10 to kick off the operations of two of six solarpowered irrigation system (SPIS) units that would boost rice production in this town.

The six SPIS units including a solar-powered waterworks system, which will convert river water to ready-to-drink fluid, have been funded under P218-million load package agreed between the DBP and the Taraka LGU represented by Mayor Nashiba Gandamra-Sumagayan, with the MinDA facilitating, in early 2020.

Herbosa accompanied by DBP Director Jeannie Sandoval and Sec. Piñol were supposed to install the ATMs on Aug. 10, but the plan did not materialize due to the delay in the shipment of the machines in the advent of the pandemic.

Taraka would become the third town in this province to avail of DBP ATM kiosks. The neighboring towns of Malabang and Balabagan in the second Congressional district were installed with such facilities early this year.

Officials and residents in the three pioneer towns had earlier asked the MinDA to facilitate with the DBP the opening of ATM kiosks to end the age-old absence of a banking system among all 39 towns in this province.

The inaugural operations of two of six SPIS units here witnessed by PhilRice Director Sailila Abdula and BARMM Agriculture Deputy Minister Amal Solaiman alongside dozens of officials from different agencies.

Sec. Pinol said all the six SPIS and waterworks systems would be fully operational by November this year to irrigate at least 700 hectares of rice farms here in a fashion designed to convert this town as Mindanao’s first agro-industrial center.

Taraka could also be the country’s first producer of packed high quality halal rice for sale to other towns in the Lanao region and elsewhere in the country and abroad, Sec. Piñol said.

On two occasions, Piñol had assured that the MinDA “will not leave its projects” here until “Taraka starts achieving an excellent agriculture production with value chain.”

AGM | PMT News Desk

AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES. DBP, MinDA and local officials in a huddle in Taraka, Lanao del Sur on Aug. 10 at the foreground of a room where two automated teller machines would be installed. (File photo)