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BBL is not yet dead – Drilon
By Jelly F. Musico MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) – The Senate may not be able to pass the substitute bill of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this year but it is not........»»
BARMM proposes P98-B budget
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has formally submitted the proposed budget for the region’s 2024 fiscal year, totaling P98.46 billion with education, infrastructure and health as the top three priorities. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim Al Haj on Wednesday said that he personally handed over the proposed Bangsamoro Expenditure Program for 2024 to Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong during a symbolic ceremony held on Tuesday. Ebrahim said education emerged as the top priority, securing the largest share of the proposed budget with an allocation of P30.2 billion, stressing that the amount reflects the region’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape in BARMM, aiming to provide better opportunities for its residents. The allocation will be used by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education to fund various education programs, scholarships and the development of schools and learning centers, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all, Ebrahim explained. Following closely is infrastructure, receiving a substantial budget of P17.6 billion from the Ministry of Public Works, which signals BARMM’s dedication to developing its physical infrastructure to strengthen economic growth, connectivity and a better quality of life for the Bangsamoro people. MPW Minister Arch. Eduard Guerra said that they intend to expedite the construction and maintenance of essential infrastructure facilities, such as flood management, bridges and water systems. The post BARMM proposes P98-B budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec, Barmm sign MOA for teachers participating in BSKE
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Barmm’s Ministry of Basic, Higher, Technical, and Education (MBHTE) inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to protect the rights of the teachers as the frontliners during elections. The MOA is in line with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 and pursuant to Bangsamoro Autonomous Act No. 35, known as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, in consonance with meaningful autonomy under (R.A.) No. 10756, otherwise known as the Election Service'', on October 19, at Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City. The agreement also aims to emphasize the honoraria, travel allowance, and other benefits of the teachers in Barmm for their role in maintaining the confidentiality of voter’s ballot......»»
Bangsamoro Municipality Passes A Landmark Ordinance On LGBTQIA+ Community
Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao - In a significant stride towards ensuring equal rights and protection for the LGBTQIA+ community, the Municipal Council of Panglima Sugala has passed a comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance, No. 001. This landmark decision comes after a series of campaigns, highlighting the pressing need for safeguarding the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bangsamoro region, amidst increasing acts of violence and discrimination. HUMAN RIGHTS Caravan headed by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Philippines, along with Google, Commission on Human Rights and implemented by Mujer LGBT+ Organisation. The urgency to address the plight of the LGBTQIA+ community was also recognized by the Bangsamoro Parliament through resolutions 524 and 526 in 2021, which called for a thorough investigation into instances of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Emphasizing the significance of these resolutions, they are expected to contribute towards protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals from illegal acts, while preventing discrimination, harassment, and inhumane treatment. Human Rights Training/Workshop lead by Mujer LGBT+ Organisation. Bangsamoro Region has been marked by a series of reported cases of LGBTQIA+ members being subjected to harassment, physical attacks, and even murder in recent years. The passage of this ordinance is seen as a crucial step towards curbing these acts of violence and promoting tolerance, acceptance, and equality within the community.The passage of the ordinance was spearheaded by Panglima Sugala Vice Mayor Dayang Iman Sahali, with support from the Mujer LGBT+ Organization, the Commission on Human Rights, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany through their Human Rights Caravan program. The collaborative efforts of these organizations and individuals have been instrumental in ensuring the successful enactment of this legislation along with the members of the Municipal legislative council. This landmark passage was welcomed by the Executive Director of Mujer LGBT+ Organisation Alvin ''Toni Gee'' Fernandez, saying "Our organization is overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the news of the passage of the landmark law. For years, we have dedicated ourselves tirelessly to create a safe and inclusive space for the Moro LGBTQIA+ community in Bangsamoro. The importance of anti-discrimination ordinances has never been more crucial than now. We firmly believe that these measures serve as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where every Moro individual is valued, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive. This achievement is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community, and we will continue our unwavering commitment to championing equality and justice for all in Bangsamoro." Panglima Sugala Municipal Government Officials with Mujer LGBT+ Organisation What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the lack of a national anti-discrimination law in the Philippines, which has remained unresolved in the Congress for the past 24 years. This void has left LGBTQIA+ communities reliant on local legislation for protection and deprived them of their basic human rights for decades. The passage of this ordinance is a strong message that local communities are determined to initiate change and create an inclusive and safe environment for all. Panglima Sugala Municipality - Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance No. 001 Under the newly enacted anti-discrimination ordinance, the LGBTQIA+ community in Panglima Sugala will be afforded vital protection against all forms of discrimination, including denial of access to public services, education, employment, and healthcare due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The ordinance also empowers victims of discrimination to seek legal redress by providing a clear avenue to file complaints and ensuring the enforcement of penalties against offenders. ''Whether people agree with it or not, it is a fact that people with different SOGIEs are humans as well. They deserve protection along with every Filipino in the Philippines. The passage of this ordinance is sending a message of inclusivity and acceptance to my colleagues in the Bangsamoro region. It shows that Panglima Sugala local government recognizes the rights and needs of all sectors of society, including those with varying SOGIEs and those living with HIV. By enacting this ordinance, we hope to set a precedent and inspire other municipalities in the Bangsamoro region to follow suit and implement similar measures to protect the rights of marginalized groups.'' - Vice Mayor Sahali strongly affirmed. Panglima Sugala Vice Mayor Dayang Iman Sahali This historic passage of comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance No. 001 adds momentum to the ongoing struggle for equal rights in the Bangsamoro region. It is seen as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQIA+ community, setting a precedent for other municipalities and cities in the region to address their own local legislation and embrace inclusivity.While this ordinance is a positive step forward, advocates and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to push for the timely passage of the national anti-discrimination bill in the Philippines Congress. The hope is that such a law will provide comprehensive protection and recognition of the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the country.As society progresses towards acknowledging and respecting the diversity of its citizens, the passage of this anti-discrimination ordinance in Panglima Sugala is a commendable milestone in the long journey towards equal rights and acceptance for all, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. The post Bangsamoro Municipality Passes A Landmark Ordinance On LGBTQIA+ Community appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Teacher item for sale’ allegations to be probed
General Santos City — The Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has created a special investigation committee to look into the alleged extortion and selling of position for teachers that amounted to at least P300,000. In a statement, MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal stressed that the allegations are tainting the reputation of the Ministry. This comes after Kapatagan town, Lanao del Sur Mayor Raida Maglangit through her Facebook account divulged that a P300,000 fee is allegedly collected just to get a teacher position. She even said that despite of the qualifications and even with masters’ degree, some candidates are being dropped because they could not afford the fee. “I have created a special committee to ferret out the truth…We are not saying that this is happening in the Ministry, we are not also saying that it is happening outside the Ministry, but we will assure you that we shall give teeth to the committee to investigate and find the truth in and outside the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education. We will leave no stones unturned, we will find the truth,” Iqbal said. The minister also lamented that being a cum laude is not only the basis of being hired and there are processes needed to be followed, adding that a candidate must possess the basic requirements such as relevant course graduated, the relevant Civil Service qualifications, trainings, oral and written results, among others. Iqbal added that all applicants aspiring for a position gone through rigorous competitive processes before they will be ranked. He firmly believed that there are no irregularities in getting of teachers by MBHTE, however, it is important for the truth to come out and punish those who are found out to be doing the illegal acts. The post ‘Teacher item for sale’ allegations to be probed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM inflation remains at 5.1%
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao announced that the inflation rate in the region last month remained at 5.1 percent which was last recorded in July 2023. BARMM-PSA director Engr. Akan Tula said on Monday that the region’s inflation rate is currently at an acceptable level in an up-and-down situation.” “The inflation rate depends on the changes in the supply and demand of basic commodities in the region in which if there is scarcity on supply and increase in demand, the price will eventually increase and also the inflation rate,” Tula said. He added that several major factors that contributed to the inflation rate such as the cost of food and non-food beverages, restaurant and accommodation services including housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels. Tula claimed that among the regions in the country, Eastern Visayas still recorded the lowest inflation rate at 3.1 percent, followed by Cordillera Administrative Region at 3.9 percent and Zamboanga Peninsula at 4.3 percent, while Central Luzon recorded the highest inflation rate at 7.0 percent. In the provinces of BARMM, Tawi-Tawi recorded the lowest inflation rate at 2.7 percent, followed by Basilan at 3.5 percent, Lanao Del Sur at 4.0 percent, Sulu at 4.1 percent while Maguindanao still recorded the highest inflation rate at 7.7 percent The post BARMM inflation remains at 5.1% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM needs to increase enrollment in basic education
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should work on increasing the number of enrollees in the basic education system. In a recent Senate hearing on the preparedness of basic education schools, Gatchalian lamented that BARMM has the lowest student participation rates nationwide. During the School Year 2020-2021, the BARMM’s participation rate in Kindergarten stood at 53 percent, notably lower than the nationwide average of 66 percent. Similarly, in elementary education, the BARMM’s regional participation rate was 69 percent as opposed to 89 percent nationwide. The region's participation rates in junior and senior high school further plummeted to 37 percent and 13 percent, respectively. In contrast, the nationwide participation rates for junior and senior high schools during SY 2020-2021 were considerably higher at 81 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Based on the average low cohort survival rate in BARMM, Gatchalian cited that for every 100 learners in the region who enter Grade 1, only 17 graduate from Grade 12. While only 51 graduate from senior high school for every 100 learners nationwide who enter Grade 1. "I believe that the first order of business in BARMM is to promote schooling and the second order is to retain learners in school,” he said, urging the officials: “Bring the kids to school and retain them.” Citing his recent discussions with BARMM governors, Gatchalian said it became apparent that many children in the region drop out of school to help out in their families' work on the farms. “They're forced to work at an early age because of poverty. But, of course, in the long run, the situation may not be conducive to their long-term well-being," said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education. Gatchalian previously pushed for an enhanced back-to-school program to increase enrollment in the Bangsamoro region. He also sought to strengthen the implementation of the Alternative Learning System in the area “to enhance the skills and abilities of the current working population” as well as out-of-school children and youth. The post BARMM needs to increase enrollment in basic education appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sulu handed new school division office
JOLO, Sulu — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, has formally turned over a new three-story school division office to Sulu province. MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said the new building aims to provide security, protection, and adequate facilities to education officials in the Sulu Schools Division office. “They play a major role in stabilizing our education system, and their safety and satisfaction is one of our top priorities,” Iqbal said. He added that the newly constructed building was funded under the BARMM Special Development Fund 2020. Iqbal also reported that Sulu Province currently has 39 high schools, 418 elementary schools, and 20 annexes. MBHTE Director General for Basic Education Abdullah Salik, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, and Sulu Schools Division Superintendent Kiram Irilis led the turnover ceremony on Monday. Iqbal emphasized that the school division office is vital in strengthening the education system in Sulu, serving as a home to an impartial and quality education system. For his part, Governor Tan expressed his gratitude to MBHTE for providing Sulu with a new Schools Division Office building. “We thank BARMM-MBHTE for giving us this new schools division office building. This is the best Schools Division Office building so far, (I think) in the whole BARMM,” Irilis said. The post Sulu handed new school division office appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Panelo: Resolve Maguindanao Norte predicament
Former Presidential Legal Adviser Atty. Salvador Panelo on Thursday has called on the provincial government of Maguindanao del Norte to resolve the problem of having two governors, saying that it stalls the basic public services that should be delivered to the public. “The law is very clear, you cannot have vacancy in government elected position, otherwise problems will occur like what is happening now in Maguindanao del Norte where it has Bangsamoro Ministry of Interior and Local Government-endorsed Governor Abdulraof Macacua and designated acting Governor Fatima Ainee Sinsuat who was the former Vice Governor,” Panelo said. He added that the Supreme Court also have already ruled “that the designation of Sinsuat is valid,” as the local government employees are also caught in the middle of controversy of having two governors for their province. Sinsuat’s spokesperson Atty. Samuel Divina earlier explained that the situation of the province is getting bleaker as the MILG continues to block the funds supposedly intended for the people of Maguindanao del Norte, as well as the plans and programs of the local government supposedly governed by the designated acting governor since Maguindanao was separated into two by the plebiscite last year. He added that Malacañang was not swayed by the prodding of the MILG and should now recall the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua, who was not even voted by the people of Maguindanao. “Recall the appointment of Macacua, for the basic services to the people to roll,” Divina said, pleading Malacañang to cancel or nullify the appointment of Macacua. Divina also stressed that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Bureau of Local Government and Finance, the MILG and the Land Bank in the province are allegedly holding the budget hostage because of the confusion it brought when they endorsed Macacua to Malacañang to be the governor. Divina said that the MILG was even a respondent to the Petition for Mandamus filed by Sinsuat at the Supreme Court which ruled on her favor. The post Panelo: Resolve Maguindanao Norte predicament appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP resumes recruitment of MILF, MNLF applicants
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday visited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to personally witness the recruitment process for the second batch of police applicants who were former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Abalos said this is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s peace and security agenda. A ceremony was held at Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR) at Camp Pendatun in Maguindanao del Norte, as Abalos urged the MILF/MNLF applicants to become "beacons" of lasting peace and security in their region. “We all share the dream of lasting peace and sustainable progress in Mindanao. Once na pumasa kayo, kayo na ang simbolo ng peace talks. Kayo na ang simbolo ng Bangsamoro at ng Republika ng Pilipinas at PNP. At kayo ang tatayo sa inyong mga lugar to ensure that there is indeed peace, kapayapaan at katahimikan,” the DILG chief said. The recruitment was based on National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Resolution No. 2023-0380, which approved the recommendation of the PNP to allocate 400 slots in its recruitment to former members of the MILF and MNLF. The entry of MILF and MNLF former members in the PNP is covered by Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for BARMM, which was enacted after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF. During his visit, Abalos saw 44 MNLF/MILF applicants undergo a 3-kilometer run as part of the Physical Agility Test, while 649 others are now taking their Psychological and Psychiatric Exam (PPE). At the same time, he encouraged the 102 newly appointed PNP patrolmen from the first batch of MILF/MNLF applicants to persevere in the 24-week rigorous Police Safety Basic Recruitment Course on police science administration, combat operations, and tactics. The post PNP resumes recruitment of MILF, MNLF applicants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maguindanao del Norte: Caused by wrong legal advice (2)
The Maguindanao del Norte impasse, with the spectacle of having two acting governors holding office simultaneously, is obviously caused by wrong legal advice of the government lawyers of the Office of the Solicitor General, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Acting Governor Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat, who assumed office pursuant to Section 30, Republic Act 11560, holds office at Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality, which is the seat of the Provincial Capitol of Maguindanao del Norte. Acting OIC Abdulraof Abdul Macacua, appointed by the President, presumably upon the advice of government lawyers, pursuing the theory that there was a vacancy in the position of Acting Governor in the newly created Province of Maguindanao del Norte, is holding fort in Cotabato City, curiously not a part of Maguindanao del Norte. The Acting Vice-Governor Sharapudin Tucao Mastura and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao del Norte, hold their sessions at the old Capitol Building in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. The government lawyers foisted the legal opinion that Section 50 of Republic Act 11550 which created the new provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte is not applicable to Acting Governor Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat and Acting Vice-Governor Sharafudin Tucson Mastura, in so far as the law makes them the transitional highest provincial officials that will govern Maguindanao del Norte until their successors have been elected and qualified in the elections of 2022. They opined that since the plebiscite ratifying the law creating the new provinces occurred after the 2022 national and local elections, and not prior to the elections, as contemplated in the said legal provision, the assumption of the elected Vice-Governor and the highest-ranking board member elected in the 2022 local elections in the then undivided Maguindanao Province, cannot take place. To their legal minds, by reason of such circumstance, a vacancy was created in the positions of Acting Governor, Acting Vice-Governor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. This wrong legal opinion, which apparently became the basis of their legal advice to the appointing power, paved the way for the appointment of Abdulraof Abdul Macacua as Acting OIC of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte. That wrong legal opinion and advice created the legal fix Maguindanao del Norte is presently in. It is the proximate cause of why the efficient and effective delivery of basic services to the people of Maguindanao del Norte has been stalled, if not completely stopped. So too is the failure of the employees of the province Maguindanao del Norte to draw their salaries on time, if they receive it at all. These lawyers have forgotten a basic tenet in legislation. A law cannot create a vacuum. It cannot allow a situation where there will be a hiatus in governance relative to who will assume such a task. Nor will it tolerate a circumstance that there will be either a stoppage of work or a failure or a delay in the delivery of basic services to the people. (To be continued) The post Maguindanao del Norte: Caused by wrong legal advice (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Contractors told: Speed up infra works
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan Province — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through the Ministry of Public Works, urged contractors of the various infrastructure projects in Basilan province to speed up the works that were awarded to them by the Bangsamoro government. The BARMM-MPW also called on the supplier of construction materials to fast-track the delivery of the materials to the different construction sites in order not to delay the projects now being implemented by the different contractors in the province. MPW Basilan District Engineer Kasim A. Hasanin on Wednesday said that his office is now implementing more than P1.298 billion worth of various infrastructure projects in Basilan province funded by BARMM through MPW. He added that the infrastructure developments were all targeted to improve the lives of the people in Basilan province who has been living below the poverty line for the past many years. “MPW is introducing more infra projects in the province to help alleviate the people’s lives and improve the basic government services for the people in the province,” Hasanin said. It has been observed that construction of various infrastructure projects in the province is now mushrooming and more are still on the pipeline, as Hasanin also called on the supplier of construction materials in Cotabato City to speed up the delivery of the materials to the province in order not to cause delay in the implementation of the program. He also appealed to the contractor fabricating the precast steel house frames to add more workers to improve their daily production. Additionally, precast house steel frames greatly reduce construction times, thus allowing contractors to complete the building of more houses at a limited given time. The post Contractors told: Speed up infra works appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Police, military upgrade gains
Initiatives that would strengthen the country’s police and military to ensure a “strong and stable rule of law” in the archipelago will continue, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos said this effort would serve as a foundation for the country’s transformation. “Our police and armed forces are being strengthened and modernized to be more effective in maintaining peace and order and in defending our sovereignty,” he said. The President also vowed the government will continue its stiff campaign against illegal drugs — which he said has taken on “a new face” and is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among the affected citizenry. “Last year, we launched the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ or BIDA Program, and established additional 102 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide,” Marcos said. Marcos underscored that the government will focus its efforts on the rehabilitation of drug dependents while sustaining the fight against drug syndicates by shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations. His administration, he said, will also run after law enforcers and their accomplices implicated in the illegal drug trade. Narcos exposed “Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations. In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity, and who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating this dreaded and corrosive social curse,” Marcos said. His administration will not tolerate corruption or incompetence in government, he added. Marcos likewise said the country is now nearing a peaceful solution to its problems concerning Filipinos who have taken up arms against the government. “For almost half a century, some of our fellow Filipinos have taken to arms to make their views heard. We are now at a point in our history when their armed struggle has evolved. We have now progressed together towards peace and development,” he emphasized. The government, he added, has incorporated capacity-building and social protection into its reintegration programs to guarantee full decommissioning of former combatants. Marcos underscored that the government’s Barangay Development and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Programs has been effective in addressing the root cause of conflict in the countryside through the continuous implementation of the community development and livelihood programs for the former rebels. Further, the President announced he will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees to complete the reintegration process. “I ask Congress to support us in this endeavor,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive was pleased to note that communities affected by the infamous Marawi siege in May 2017 are recovering with the ongoing granting of financial aid to those severely affected by the conflict. He said it will allow these residents to start afresh. “Nawa’y mamayani ang pag-asa. Nawa’y magpatuloy ang pagkakaisa, pagmamatyag, at paghahangad ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran (May hope prevail, may unity continue along with vigilance and the desire for peace and progress),” he added. Marcos also mentioned the progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which he said was made possible because of the cooperation of all key groups. “We are proud of the progress that the BARMM has taken. It will be self-governing, progressive, and effective,” he said. “The local government, the royal families, the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) were all consulted and represented in the transition phase. The international community has also supported us in this smooth transition. Former adversaries are now partners in peace. Its functions have been defined, and its basic laws are being written.” Marcos said the progress in the BARMM has pulled up the sustainable advancement of southern Philippines anchored on a “true and lasting peace.” The post Police, military upgrade gains appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maguindanao Norte ops yield loose firearms
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities have collected 40 weapons of war from four barangay chairpersons of Talitay town and some residents of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte as part of the measures to keep the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October free from any hostilities. Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao commander P/Brig. Gen. Allan Cruz Nobleza disclosed on Sunday that four village chiefs surrendered their loose firearms to authorities in Barangay Poblacion in Talitay on Friday. A similar gesture was also demonstrated by residents of 34 villages of DOS on the same day after the local government of the municipality called on them to surrender their loose firearms to authorities. Nobleza identified the four village chiefs of Talitay as Solaiman Buisan of Barangay Poblacion, Kuli Mama Datulukes of Barangay Kilalan, Azmy D. Guiamadel of Barangay Bintan and Mamatanto Manap of Barangay Kuden. The four village chiefs turned over one unit Home Made 50.CAL Sniper Barret: one unit of 7.62 Sniper Rifle; one unit of Home Made Shotgun; and one unit of .38 Caliber revolver without ammunition. Nobleza said that the operation against loose firearms will continue to intensify across the BARMM. He also called on the remaining private individuals and local officials to lay down their unlicensed firearms for the overall peace and security in the Bangsamoro region. Over at Datu Odin Sinsuat, at least 36 different types and calibers of firearms were collected by the local government as part of the Balik-Baril Program of the government. Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat said that his government collected 36 different calibers of firearms in the 34 barangays of the municipality. Among the surrendered weapons were a Cal .50: BMG machine gun; a Sniper, Cal 50; a Cal. 30 Awards; nine 7.62mm M14 rifles; five 5.56mm M16 rifles; two 12 Gauge Shotguns; two M203 Tube Launchers; six 40mm M79 GLs; two RPGs; five 9mm UZI SMGs; a Cal. 22 Basic Assault Rifle; one 38mm Revolver and two Ammunition of 40mm. Sinsuat said they turned over the guns to the security forces during a ceremony held at the Municipal Covered Court, Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat on Friday. The post Maguindanao Norte ops yield loose firearms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
36 loose firearms surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte
ZAMBOANGA CITY — About 36 different types and calibers of firearms were collected by the local government of Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), Maguindanao del Norte as part of the Balik-Baril Program of the government and were presented to government security forces in the province. Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat said yesterday that his government collected 36 different calibers of firearms in the 34 barangays of the municipality. Sinsuat said they turned over the guns to the security forces during a ceremony held at the Municipal Covered Court, Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat on Friday. Among the surrendered weapons were a Cal .50: BMG Machine gun; a Sniper, Cal 50; a Cal. 30 Awards; nine 7.62mm M14 rifles; five 5.56mm M16 rifles; two 12 Gauge Shotguns; two M203 Tube Launchers; six 40mm M79 GLs; two RPGs; five 9mm UZI SMGs; a Cal. 22 Basic Assault Rifle; one 38mm Revolver, and two Ammunition of 40mm. Sinsuat believed that through the government's Balik-Baril program, private armed groups and other lawless element groups would be dismantled, resulting in a peaceful community. The guns were surrendered to Lt. Col. Tristram Tolentino, acting commanding officer of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, he said. It was later turned over to Col. Nasser Lidasan, the assistant division commander of the 6th Infantry Division (ID), and Police Col. James Gulmatico, of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BAR). For his part, Joint Task Force-Central (JTF-C) Commander Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera praised the leadership of Datu Odin Sinsuat, the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, and the police for continuing to dismantle loose firearms. "Every gun that we have obtained and removed from the hands of individuals who are not authorized to carry weapons is equivalent to saving many innocent lives and ensuring a better future for the people of Datu Odin Sinsuat," Rillera said. The post 36 loose firearms surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (12)
Unity as mere rhetoric meant to create an illusion of a unifying leader, this was how critics described and ridiculed the battle cry of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 campaign. sire to bring together several sectors of society was stamped in the way he handled the deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law — by seeking to extend the consultation to as many of the stakeholders as possible. In a Daily Tribune report on his address before students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during a symposium entitled “In the Name of Peace,” the proposed law was presented to the youth. Marcos recalled that he visited various places in Mindanao and talked to major stakeholders like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Moro National Liberation Front, indigenous peoples, the Sultanates, and representatives of different sectors of society. “Then I realized, I haven’t talked to the youth and the students yet. If I don’t do this it will be a major shortcoming because the youth are our country’s future and the principal beneficiary of the peace process,” Marcos said. In general, he said, BBL was part of the effort to bring peace and development to Muslim Mindanao under the context and framework of the Constitution. Marcos recognized the validity of creating autonomous regions, saying that people in certain areas of the country shared a “common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage” different from the rest of the country and that the Constitution authorized the creation of autonomous regions. Charter compliant Specifically, Marcos said the Constitution allowed for the creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which are vested with extensive powers not otherwise enjoyed by ordinary local governments, but so far only the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had been organized. The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law sought to abolish the ARMM and repeal the law that created it, apparently based on a statement by President Benigno Aquino III that ARRM is a “failed experiment.” “The problem was — and this was a big problem — it turned out in our hearings in the Senate that many of the provisions of the draft BBL were unconstitutional,” Marcos said. He said he sought the help of the Senate’s resident constitutional expert, the late Senator Miriam Santiago, to conduct hearings on the constitutionality of the draft BBL. Citing the Santiago report, Marcos said the BBL aimed to create a “part-sovereign” or “sub-state” called Bangsamoro with elements of a state under the Montevideo Convention, namely, a permanent population, defined territory, and capacity to enter into relations with other States. The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States is a treaty signed in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 26 December 1933, that codified the declarative theory of statehood as accepted as part of customary international law. Had Congress adopted the draft BBL based on the Palace proposal, the new law would have violated the Constitution and would have faced a challenge before the Supreme Court. Marcos said the remedy was to either amend the draft BBL to make it consistent with the Constitution or to amend the Constitution to accommodate the drastic changes the BBL sought to put in place. Shortcuts not allowed “These are the peaceful, unifying, and constitutional ways of doing it. In the name of peace, let these be done. No shortcuts. No railroading. No threats of violence. No threats of war,” Marcos stressed. “Let us do this right, as one nation united by our Constitution and under one flag,” he added. Earlier, Marcos prepared a substitute bill that addressed the constitutional issues against the BBL. He vowed the substitute bill would ensure the sovereignty and integrity of the country even as it strove to achieve lasting peace and development in Mindanao. The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (12) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Galvez returns as presidential peace adviser
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reappointed former AFP chief Carlito Galvez Jr. as presidential peace adviser after being renamed senior undersecretary of the Department of National Defense. In a statement Saturday, Galvez said Marcos reinstated him as the secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity to help in pushing forward the Bangsamoro peace process because “this is where his heart is.” Galvez was previously appointed as OPAPRU secretary by former President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018. In January this year, Marcos swore in Galvez as the DND officer-in-charge and later led several activities related to the defense sector. Galvez said he is determined to help the administration “unleash the full economic potential” of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Earlier this weekend, Galvez joined Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. in visiting the BARMM office in Cotabato City to assess the progress and development of peace initiatives in the region. Lagdameo and Galvez also met separately with BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Embrahim, Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education Mohagher Iqbal, and other BARMM officials, to discuss possible areas of cooperation between the national and Bangsamoro government, particularly on initiatives that aim to boost the region’s standing as a commercial and trading center in Mindanao as well as maintaining peace and security situation in the region. Lagdameo is currently the co-chairperson of the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization, the body mandated to coordinate and mobilize national government agencies in the implementation of the Normalization Program for Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatants, their families, and communities. Galvez said there’s remarkable economic progress taking place in the BARMM region. Hence, he recommended the revival of what he described as “sea-lane of commerce” in the South. The president’s peace adviser was referring to the development of a coastal area that stretches from Malabang to the Polloc Port, and further down south to the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Galvez cited BARMM as the biggest contributor to the country’s fish industry, followed by the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) and Soccsksargen (Region 12), respectively. The economic activities within the Maguindanao del Norte and BARMM’s Island provinces are expected to increase after the BARMM’s Ministry of Transportation approved Roll On/Roll Off operations in April this year. The post Galvez returns as presidential peace adviser appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zero hunger is possible
As grade school students back in the day, one of the more important lessons drilled in our young minds was to know the basic needs of man. In the relatively simple and peaceful universe we lived in then, we were told these were food (and water), clothing, and shelter. Years later, a more sophisticated, technologically advanced, and complex environment exposed men to new challenges and corresponding changes. To that simple three-item list were added — apart from the basic physical needs — emotional, mental, and spiritual necessities, and a host of others, including, and most especially now, communication facilities or an Internet connection. Within the Philippine setting, Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, our National Statistician and economist, appended health, education, and personal care as essentials. High on the list is food, and rightly so, for the nutrients we get from it make our bodies strong and healthy as these replace cells worn out from wear and tear. Yet a United Nations Sustainable Development Report released last year revealed alarming news: between 720 million and 811 million persons were suffering from hunger, roughly 161 million more than in 2021. And in the same year, a staggering 2.4 billion people, or above 30 percent of the world’s population, were moderately or severely food insecure, lacking regular access to adequate food. On the home front, despite our vaunted natural resources and seemingly inexhaustible bounty from the land and seas around us, a survey has shown that one out of 10 households in the Philippines suffer from “food insecurity.” The survey also cited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Region VIII (the six provinces and seven cities in Eastern Visayas), and Region XII (the Mindanao provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat) as the three most “food insecure” regions of the country. It may not be a coincidence that these three areas are among the country’s poorest regions. Admitting this is a national concern, the government has said it considers food security a top priority. Late last year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said they were watching out for surges in the prices of goods and services due primarily to recent typhoons that hit the country, affecting workers who complained their wages were barely enough to buy or pay for their basic needs, especially food. He added that the administration was bent on ensuring consumers an adequate and affordable food supply. Food security has been defined as “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life,” according to the 1996 World Food Summit. At the same time, food should be readily available, easily accessible, prepared and eaten the right way (nutrition-wise), and procured regularly, the world body added. In the Philippines, the most common food security problems are poor or inadequate agricultural harvests attributed to practices or methods that have either been discarded or have not been adopted or kept pace with the times. Suggestions have been floated as possible solutions to food security like introducing more diversified crops, improving infrastructure, building new road networks linking farms to markets, enhancing or restructuring current trade practices and policies, working on programs and advocacies to combat the adverse effects of climate change and maintain sustainable green economies. Boosting agricultural production would mean “more investments in the food value chain and research and development to enhance farm productivity and improve the efficiency of post-harvest processes,” Balisacan said. “Getting the government to facilitate private investments in marketing infrastructure including storage, transport, and logistics, and continuing to provide cash transfers and fuel discounts are crucial to achieving durable food security.” Is zero hunger attainable? The optimist (and farmer) in me believe it is possible, but only when we aggressively push for renewable agricultural practices and work hard at growing more crops on every piece of land available. Then, we can say that we will never be hungry again. The post Zero hunger is possible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Training the trainers’: Teachers undergo English language workshops
From 8 to 26 May, the United States government is hosting a series of intensive training workshops for more than 100 English teachers from across the Philippines to enhance their teaching methods and skills in English language instruction. The workshops employ a “training the trainers” curriculum designed specifically for the Philippines by US-sponsored English language specialists Donna Brinton and Jan Frodesen. The program is expected to benefit more than 7,000 teachers and 250,000 students in the Philippines by preparing participants to lead follow-on training sessions with colleagues in their local communities. According to Brinton and Frodesen, the program shares information, strategies and techniques that enable participants to train fellow educators in their home communities. [caption id="attachment_135092" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Carlson greets US government-sponsored English language specialists Donna Brinton and Jan Frodesen, who created the training materials for the workshops.[/caption] During the first two weeks of workshops in Manila, more than 60 teachers from academic institutions in Mindanao — including public high schools in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi — received training. Twelve teachers from the State Department’s English Access Microscholarship Program, including participants from Fiji, also joined the Manila program. More than 50 educators from various campuses of Palawan State University are scheduled to join the final set of workshops from 22 to 26 May in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. On 17 May, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson met with workshop participants to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working with Philippine partners to support quality education in the country, especially in language learning. “We know that having a strong educational system is the key to prosperity,” Carlson said. “The United States looks forward to seeing the positive results of this program as dedicated Filipino educators share these methods with their peers and students.” For these workshops, the US government collaborated with the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, non-government organization Synergeia Foundation Inc. and Palawan State University. The post ‘Training the trainers’: Teachers undergo English language workshops appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BBL is not yet dead – Drilon
By Jelly F. Musico MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) – The Senate may not be able to pass the substitute bill of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this year but it........»»