New ARMM DepEd Secretary

New ARMM DepEd Secretary. ARMM Acting Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong's new Department of Education secretary Dr. Hamid Barra (right) takes his oath of office before Executive Secretary Atty. Naguib G. Sinarimbo (left) on February 1, 2010 at the Office of the Regional Governor, ARMM, Cotabato City. Sown witnessing the ceremony are Atty. Udtog Tago (2nd from right) and Judge Abuali Cali (2nd from left). Barra, a lawyer also, was elected president of the National Ulama Council of the Philippines at the 3rd national summit of Islamic scholars in Davao City on Jan. 28. (Omar Mangorsi/BPI-ARMM)

January 30, 2010

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao – Almost 250 pupils from Kamasi Elementary school here and their parents availed of free medical checks ups, dental services and free medicines and nutrient foods in a joint outreach program launched by five agencies of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) recently.

The pupils were also taught on the proper ways of brushing teeth and washing hands by field experts from the health and nutrition division of the Department of Education (DepEd). On the process, they were given free toothpastes and toothbrushes, according to ARMM Deputy Executive Secretary Abdullah Kusain.

Dozens officials and workers from the ARMM’s DepEd, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Technical, Educational and Skills Authority launched the inter-agency activity here last January 28 on order of acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong, Kusain said.

Petronila Lim, school nurse from Datu Piang said free medicines for cough, fever, pain relievers, diarrhea, antibiotics and hypertension were readied for distribution on Monday for the pupils’ parents, especially those affected or displaced by the August 2008 atrocities between military and rebel forces, and the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre and its resultant martial law imposition.

In his brief message read for him by Kusain, Adiong said his administration is “committed to bring about needed reforms and deliver basic services for the people through series of medical and dental missions to host communities and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”

The mission delivered a complete health package to the host school here. It will cover next week the municipalities of Shariff Aguak, Datu Unsay and Datu Abdullah Sangki.

Kusain said the series of mission would last until March to provide resident pupils and teachers ample psychological and medical attentions from experts.

Aside from the health package, the mission also provides vegetable seeds, skills training for parents of pupils in the conflict affected areas of the four towns.

A water system and two-storey classroom with chairs and tables and restrooms with rain water collector is set for construction by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) at the National High School in Shariff Aguak town.

Reports from DSWD-ARMM, as of January 19, 2009, said there are 20,343 families still living in 80 evacuation centers in Maguindanao while 23,104 other families have already returned to their respective places of origin during the month of December 2009.

Director Taya Aplal, DepEd-ARMM focal person to the Technical Management Group, Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), said teachers and pupils in the conflict-affected towns would receive psychosocial stress debriefing.

She said a facilitators training on Psychosocial Intervention on Critical Incidence Debriefing for teachers, non-teaching and school health personnel is underway until May with support from DepEd National Office and UNICEF.

The inter-agency mission is also supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines – 6ID and ASFP. (johenry/cbpi-armm)

Port operation Linis

Port operation Linis. Polloc Port Manager Muharim Mohammad,(2nd from Left) ARMM Deputy Executive Secretary Abdullah Cusain (left), Nituan, Parang, Maguindanao Barangay Chairman Sukarni Salazar (right), representing Parang Mayor Talib Abo, and Polloc Barangay Chairman Oting Esmail (2nd from right)lead the operation linis last January 30 in pursuit of their concerted efforts to operationalize fully the regional port under the administration of acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong. The day-long ground cleaning activity was participated in also by personnel from the local Maritime office, Philippine Navy, the Parang municipal government and the Taskgroup Polloc. (Omar Mangorsi / bpi-armm)

AusAID grants $5-M fund for ARMM’s education projects

January 29, 2010


COTABATO CITY - The Australian government has granted $5-million more fund for education projects and programs in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in what acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong described as a boost to concerted efforts of improving the quality of education and other related gray areas in the region.

Titon Mitra, Minister-Counselor for Development Cooperation of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), and Adiong signed on Jan. 27 of an agreement providing for the grant of the $5-million grant this year to the ARMM regional government, Regional Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo said.

The signing rites were held at the Australian Embassy in Manila and witnessed by other AusAID top officials including Peter Bartu, adviser on peace and conflict development cooperation. Sec. Sinarimbo was also a witness to the ceremonies, he said.

The grant will be used in the extension of another year in the implementation of the program on Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM), including the crafting of the new program on education in the ARMM. The BEAM program in the region ended last year.

Meanwhile, Sinarimbo also bared that apart from the good news from the AusAID, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board has approved the request of the ARMM Social Fund Program (ASFP) for a fresh US$30-million loan for various infrastructure facilities and good governance-building programs in the autonomous region.

Sinarimbo said acting ARMM Governor Adiong was informed of the NEDA board’s favorable decision shortly after the signing rites on the AusAID fund grant.

In an earlier interview, ASFP Project Manager Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo said the new Word Bank fund will be used in the region’s 596 barangays that do not have ASFP projects before.

Sinarimbo said the World Bank and ARMM will set the criteria and the guidelines for selection and identification of projects identified by the stakeholders of these barangays.

ASFP started in the ARMM in 2005 and has been extended twice upon request of recipient local government units in the region. ARMM covers Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan. (Jo Henry/bpi-armm)

ARMM cooperatives improvement forum

ARMM cooperatives improvement forum. Mahendra Madjilon, cooperative development authority administrator of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, (inset photo left) delivers the opening remarks as his district workers from the five component provinces listen at the recent three-day training on cooperative re-registration in ARMM in Cotabato City recently. The affairs was graced by Marites Hwang (center) of the CDA central office and ARMM Bureau of Public Information executive director Ali G. Macabalang, (right) who addressed the opening rites as guest speaker on behalf of ARMM Chief of Staff Avecina V. Alonto. (omar mangorsi/bpi-armm)

ARMM’s campus journalism

ARMM’s campus journalism. A lady lecturer on editorial writing teaches selected group of students engaged in campus journalism from schools in relatively peaceful areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at a recent regional training held in Cotabato City by the ARMM’s Department of Education (DepEd). Meanwhile, DepEd central office representatives are due to arrive in Maguindanao on Jan. 28 to conduct psychological orientation on teachers and pupils believed to have been traumatized after the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre of 58 people including 31 journalists and its resultant martial law imposition. Acting ARMM Governor Hookie Alonto-Adiong has ordered the distribution of relief goods by social welfare workers and the conduct of medical mission by physicians for affected pupils in conjunction with the psychological interventions program. (Omar Mangorsi / bpi-armm)

100 midwives deployed in Tawi-Tawi

(Ref: Ali G. Macabalang, BPI-ARMM, Jan. 27, 2010)

COTABATO CITY – The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi has launched an outreach program dubbed as “Project 100 RUBIES” deploying 100 midwives across the province including dozens of villages in islets where lack of health workers has been causing enormous deaths.

RUBIES is an acronym for reaching underserved barangays through initiative for enhancement of services, a derivative from the name of Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan, who earlier conceived and launched the program grand ceremonies attended by dignitaries here last January 23.

Starting from the launching day, Sahali-Tan said, the provincial government will embark on “mass hiring of 100 midwives to be deployed in the most critical and underserved barangays” in the 11 towns, mostly in islands, of Tawi-Tawi.

Tawi-Tawi is one of five component provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which, according to government statistics, profusely lag behind in rural health and medical services.

“Our provincial government is cognizant of the need for a more aggressive approach to address the poor state of maternal and child health services in the province,” the lady vice governor said.

The health department function have been devolved to the ARMM government, but “the provincial government is …also accountable for the health of its constituents and has the mandate to support the regional government and the provincial health office in (their) undertakings to improve the health outcomes in the Region,” she said.

The deployment of 100 midwives is aimed at “reducing mortalities in Tawi-Tawi by halves from 20 to 10 maternal deaths and 159 to 100 infant deaths by the end of 2010,” Sahali-Tan pointed out.

“Tragically, the death of a mother is heartbreaking. It has many consequences, not least of which is the reduced probability of survival of her children and her newborn child is most likely to die too. A mother’s life is so precious and for each baby being born is a gift from God for a family to show affection, love and care,” she stressed.

Citing statistics, she said the ARMM has a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 320 per 100,000 live-births or nearly double the risk of women elsewhere in the country (172 per 100,000 live-births).

In the entire ARMM, only 42% of the women who died of maternal causes received medical attendance (NSO 2004). The Maternal Mortality Ratio reflects the women’s basic health status, access to health care and the quality of health care in the rural areas, statistics showed.

Meanwhile, Sahali-Tan alongside Sulu Governor Sakur Tan expressed enthusiasm in operating principles of “transparent, consultative and moral governance” of the new ARMM leadership under acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong. (AGM/bpi-armm)

ARMM strategic planning. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao acting Governor Hookie Alonto-Adiong (right standing) huddles with ARMM treasury officials at the recent five-day strategic planning in Cagayan de Oro City for their two-year development plan, 2010-2011. He shifted from one to another in what was perceived to be his way of getting cordial rapport with his subbordinates. Shown standing is Chief Regional Planner Adel Dumagay and (seated) ARMM Regional Treasurer Kanggo Umal and Assistant Treasurer Kasan Panawidan. The convergence was also attended by the five provincial governors and two city mayors of ARMM, who belong to the ARMM planning board, which approved the strategies and fund allocations discussed in the planning sessions. (Ali G. Macabalang)

ARMM dev’t direction refreshed

-January 21, 2010

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Line departments and offices of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ended here yesterday (Thursday) their three-day strategic planning workshop, drafting a two-year development package aimed at bringing the impoverished ARMM communities to greater heights.

Some 70 heads and technical personnel of the ARMM’s agencies and offices threshed out problems besetting the region and proposed the corresponding solutions in three successive days of deliberations attended personally by acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong.

The two-year development plan, which has been collated from the proposals of participating departments and bureaus, will be tackled further for adoption by the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board (REDPB), the ARMM’s highest policy-making body chaired by Adiong.

The REDPB, which opens today (Friday) their two-day meeting at the same venue here, is composed of the governors of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the mayors of Marawi and Lamitan cities and the tops officials of the ARMM regional legislative assembly (RLA).

At the opening of the preceding workshop Tuesday, Adiong addressed the participants, citing among others funding supports from national and foreign sources now in the pipeline that include a $30-million package earmarked by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank (WB).

In his brief speech, Adiong said the national and foreign-funded development projects will be proportionately spread across the ARMM component areas to meet the social, economic, infrastructure and peace and order concerns of the target areas.

“Let us pursue our development thrusts and address squarely the grey areas under the principle of transparent, consultative and moral governance,” said Adiong, who sat and exchanged ideas with the participants in their respective tables in an unprecedented fashion for an ARMM chief executive.

Malacanang through Interior and Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno installed to office Adiong last December 14 in lieu of ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, who has been suspended and detained in connection with the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao of 57 people including 31 journalists.

Over the weekend, Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and Tawi-Tawi vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan expressed their cooperation with the new ARMM leadership, saying they were optimistic that Adiong would be able to “achieve reforms in the regional bureaucracy and deliver better services to the populace.” (AGM / BPI-ARMM)

ARMM Acting Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong's new health secretary and Assistant Deputy Executive Secretary, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. (right) and Abdullah M. Cusain (middle) respectively took their Oath of Office before Executive Secretary Atty. Naguib G. Sinarimbo (left) on January 16, 2010 at the Office of the Regional Governor, ARMM, Cotabato City. (Omar Mangorsi/BPI-ARMM)

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) acting Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong has inaugurated two (2) office buildings that would house the ARM

January 17, 2010
COTABATO CITY – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) acting Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong has inaugurated two (2) office buildings that would house the ARMM’s Human Resources Information System (HRIS), and Intelligence and Security Services (ISS).

At the brief inaugural rites last Friday here, Adiong and some members of his cabinet expressed joy over the completion of the facilities that would provide the personnel of the two vital offices more comfortable environment and enable them to deliver better services.

The new buildings were constructed during the reign of detained ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan but completed after the recent office assumption of Adiong, according to Engr. Titingalangit Sumagayan, new public works and highways regional secretary.

The construction of the two buildings inside the ARMM compound here cost the regional government P1-million each as a counterpart to its memorandum of agreement with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Under the agreement signed on March 5, 2008 by JICA representative Norio Matsuda and Ampatuan, the Japanese agency funded the series of capability-building trainings of HRIS and ISS personnel to upgrade their operations.

ARMM and JICA officials have started carrying out joint projects since Dec. 2004, the first episode of which had sent 440 ARMM senior executives and middle management officials for professional training at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City to improve their capabilities.

For the HRIS, JICA provided 20 computer sets and trained its operators on database management.

ARMM Attorney-General Baratucal Caudang said the continued assistance of JICA has provided improvements in the regional government’s infrastructural and manpower development. (johenry/BPI-ARMM)

Rehabilitation of Polloc Port

Rehabilitation of Polloc Port . Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong (2nd from right) together with Polloc Port Manager Mr. Muharim Mohammad (left), Parang Municipal Mayor Talib Abo (2nd from left) and ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo (at the back) riding in one vehicle during the inauguration of the improved Polloc Port amounting of P 22,895,184.06 million. (Omar Mangorsi/BPI-ARMM)

Modernized ARMM port

Modernized ARMM port. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund Project (ASFP) Manager Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo briefs ARMM acting Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong (2nd from left) on the potentials of Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao, whose newly rehabilitated access road network has been turned over to the port management on January 14. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded the rehabilitation through the ASFP with P22.8 million. Polloc Port has 123,353-hectare land area sufficient for transformation into an international seaport. Also shown in the picture are Maguindanao OIC-Governor Bai Nariman Ambolodto (3rd from left partly hidden), Parang, Maguindanao Mayor Talib Abo(3rd from right) and JICA representative Tito Oria (right). (Omar Mangorsi/bpi-ARMM)

ARMM regional wharf gets modernized access road

PARANG, Maguindanao – A foreign-assisted access road was inaugurated and turned over to the Polloc Port management here in what officials touted as an added push to campaign for heightened business activities in the 20-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong led on Thursday here the turnover rites between Polloc Port Manager Moharim Mohammad and Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo, ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) manager.

The access road, involving 6,000-meter length at eight-meter wide stretch and built-in with rubber fenders on the coast side, has been rehabilitated and fully paved with a cost of P22.8-million. The fund was provided by the International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the ASFP, records showed.

In his brief speech at the ceremonies, Adiong said the opening of the access road would “signal the start of the ARMM government’s vision” to operate fully the Polloc Port as a regional hub of marine transport activities.

“Rehabilitation and Improvements of ports in ARMM is one of the Autonomous Regional Government's priority projects,” Adiong added.

The turnover rites were also attended by local and regional officials including Pagras Biruar, who was installed as general manager of the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) a day before the occasion.

Port Manager Mohammad said the concreting and rehabilitation of wharf road network would ensure smooth, efficient and effective movement and delivery of port services at the Polloc Port.

Polloc Port has a total land area of 123.0353 hectares which is potential to be transformed into an international seaport, a reason the ASFP sought the fund support from the JICA through its Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI), fund project manager Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo said that efficient sea ports operations are imperative in the socio-economic uplift of the autonomous region.

ASFP has been implementing vital projects in ARMM that include education, health, infrastructure and other socio-economic concerns, he said.

Also present during the inaugural rites were JICA officials headed by JICA representative Tito Oria, JICA head of consultants Domingo Guarinio and Maguindanao OIC governor Nariman Ambolodto. (bpi-ARMM)

ARMM regional wharf gets modernized access road

PARANG, Maguindanao – A foreign-assisted access road was inaugurated and turned over to the Polloc Port management here in what officials touted as an added push to campaign for heightened business activities in the 20-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong led on Thursday here the turnover rites between Polloc Port Manager Moharim Mohammad and Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo, ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) manager.

The access road, involving 6,000-meter length at eight-meter wide stretch and built-in with rubber fenders on the coast side, has been rehabilitated and fully paved with a cost of P22.8-million. The fund was provided by the International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the ASFP, records showed.

In his brief speech at the ceremonies, Adiong said the opening of the access road would “signal the start of the ARMM government’s vision” to operate fully the Polloc Port as a regional hub of marine transport activities.

“Rehabilitation and Improvements of ports in ARMM is one of the Autonomous Regional Government's priority projects,” Adiong added.

The turnover rites were also attended by local and regional officials including Pagras Biruar, who was installed as general manager of the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) a day before the occasion.

Port Manager Mohammad said the concreting and rehabilitation of wharf road network would ensure smooth, efficient and effective movement and delivery of port services at the Polloc Port.

Polloc Port has a total land area of 123.0353 hectares which is potential to be transformed into an international seaport, a reason the ASFP sought the fund support from the JICA through its Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI), fund project manager Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo said that efficient sea ports operations are imperative in the socio-economic uplift of the autonomous region.

ASFP has been implementing vital projects in ARMM that include education, health, infrastructure and other socio-economic concerns, he said.

Also present during the inaugural rites were JICA officials headed by JICA representative Tito Oria, JICA head of consultants Domingo Guarinio and Maguindanao OIC governor Nariman Ambolodto. (bpi-ARMM)

ARMM regional wharf gets modernized access road

PARANG, Maguindanao – A foreign-assisted access road was inaugurated and turned over to the Polloc Port management here in what officials touted as an added push to campaign for heightened business activities in the 20-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong led on Thursday here the turnover rites between Polloc Port Manager Moharim Mohammad and Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo, ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) manager.

The access road, involving 6,000-meter length at eight-meter wide stretch and built-in with rubber fenders on the coast side, has been rehabilitated and fully paved with a cost of P22.8-million. The fund was provided by the International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the ASFP, records showed.

In his brief speech at the ceremonies, Adiong said the opening of the access road would “signal the start of the ARMM government’s vision” to operate fully the Polloc Port as a regional hub of marine transport activities.

“Rehabilitation and Improvements of ports in ARMM is one of the Autonomous Regional Government's priority projects,” Adiong added.

The turnover rites were also attended by local and regional officials including Pagras Biruar, who was installed as general manager of the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) a day before the occasion.

Port Manager Mohammad said the concreting and rehabilitation of wharf road network would ensure smooth, efficient and effective movement and delivery of port services at the Polloc Port.

Polloc Port has a total land area of 123.0353 hectares which is potential to be transformed into an international seaport, a reason the ASFP sought the fund support from the JICA through its Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI), fund project manager Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo said that efficient sea ports operations are imperative in the socio-economic uplift of the autonomous region.

ASFP has been implementing vital projects in ARMM that include education, health, infrastructure and other socio-economic concerns, he said.

Also present during the inaugural rites were JICA officials headed by JICA representative Tito Oria, JICA head of consultants Domingo Guarinio and Maguindanao OIC governor Nariman Ambolodto. (bpi-ARMM)

Rehabilitation of Tamparan District Hospital Training Center

Rehabilitation of Tamparan District Hospital Training Center. (Inset photo) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Acting Regional Governor Ansarrudin Alonto Adiong (center) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the rehabilitated Tamparan District Hospital on January 14, 2010. Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) through the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) funded the hospital rehabilitation which included a training center amounting up to P5.7 Million. ASFP was represented by Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo (2nd from right). Assisting the acting governor (left to right) are Chief of Tamparan District Hospital Dr. Potri Disomimba-Ali, JICA Expert Mr. Tito T. Oria, Sr. and DPWH-ARMM Assistant Secretary Nasrodin D. Macabinta. (Omar Mangorsi/BPI-ARMM)

Lanao Sur district hospital inaugurated

January 15, 2010


TAMPARAN, Lanao del Sur – Residents here have gained access to better health and recreational facilities following the inauguration Thursday of the newly renovated district hospital and a training center in this agricultural town.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong led the inauguration of the improved Tamparan District Hospital in ceremonies attended by his elder brother, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. alongside all mayors in the province.

In his brief speech, Adiong aired his administration’s commitment to advance health initiatives to help make the region’s over four million residents mentally and physically healthy.

The ARMM chief executive assured to support the refurbished district hospital by providing other necessary medical equipment and an amount of P3,000 to each personnel for a new set of uniform. The hospital also received 22 boxes of assorted medicines personally delivered by him.

Adiong said his one month-old administration will strive to let his constituents “feel the services of the government.”

The rehabilitation of the Tamparan District Hospital Training Center has been funded with P5.7-million by the ARMM Social Fund Program (ASFP) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Dra. Potri Disomimba-Ali, chief administrator of the hospital, lauded Adiong for pushing for the improvement of the medical facility after seeing it in a poor condition during a free cataract operation he sponsored few months ago.

“The realization of this project has been through the efforts made by Governor Adiong,” Ali said.

The two-storey, 10 x 30 square meter training center, Ali said, will provide quality medical and health services to the locals and will serve as “ideal venue for our integrated health programs such as future medical missions.”

Engr. Nasser G. Sinarimbo, ASFP Project Manager, said the project formed part of the commitment of the Autonomous Regional Government (ARG) to provide constituents access to decent health service.

Tito Oria Sr, a JICA expert, urged hospital administrators to take care of the facility, even as he expressed optimism for its long sustained operations.

He promised to continue supporting projects on the pipeline intended for the development of stakeholders and communities in the region.

Tamparan District Hospital was created thru Republic Act passed in Congress in 1963 thru the efforts of then Mayor Datu Palawan Disomimba under President Diosdado Macapagal. In 1987, the hospital was upgraded to serve all its ten neighboring municipalities in the province.

The province now has five district hospitals and the Amai Pakpak Provincial hospital in Marawi City .

US-funded road opening

US-funded road opening. (Inset photo) Barira, Maguindanao Mayor Alexander D. Tomawis (3rd from left) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the North-West road project that includes the spillway stretch across Ambal river inside the former Camp Abubakar of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on January 8. The road stretch has been funded with some P8-million by the US Government through the US Army. It consists of a 750-meter concrete span on the west of Nabalawag and 3.5- kilometer stretch on the east including spillway road. Shown assisting the mayor at the ceremonial turnover rite are US Army representative Captain You (right), 37th Infantry Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Gavin Edjawan (2nd from right) and Nabalawag Barangay Chairman Datu Gani Dimasangkay (left). (Omar Mangorsi/BPI-ARMM)

AFP builds road in former MILF stronghold

January 12, 2010

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the help of the U.S. forces has built a road right at the heartland of a former stronghold of the separatist rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Barira, Maguindanao.


The project consisting of the 750 meters Nabalawag West Road and the 3.5 kilometers Nabalawag East Road including a spillway in the Ambal River all in Barangay Nabalawag cost around P8 million. It was officially handed over Friday to the management of the local government of Barira after being completed.


The funds were provided by the United States ’ government thru the U.S. Army.


“This is the biggest project we have undertaken so far in this area,” said Lt. Col. Gavin Edjawan, Commander of the 37th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.


Nabalawag including most parts of Barira and its neighboring municipalities were under the control of the MILF up until 2000 when the government launched an all-out war against the rebel group. The Nabalawag road project is just few kilometers from the hub of Camp Abubakar – the largest of the MILF camps during its reign in the area.


Mayor Alexander Tomawis of Barira is the man who pushed for the project. Most parts of the municipality have remained inaccessible to vehicles for the longest time.


He said it is an indication that the place is moving towards progress. It would be easier now for farmers to move their harvest, he said.


Tomawis said they will try to secure more help to support the extension of the road and the construction of other development projects.


The road project gives locals here a glimmer of a brighter tomorrow. They dub it the ‘peace road’ – a welcome development from their war torn past. (Rav Bahri / BPI-ARMM)

New police cars for ARMM

New police cars for ARMM. Regional Executive Secretary Naguid Sinarimbo(3rd from left) turns over to DILG-ARMM Secretary Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman (2nd from right) the keys of 11 new police car (some of them shown in the background) during a simple rite in front of the ORG Executive Building in Cotabato City on January 5. Also shown in the photo are unnamed officials earlier tasked by DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno to accompany the shipment of the vehicles to the Office of Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong. (Omar Mangorsi / BPI-ARMM)

ARMM receives 11 police cars

07 January 2010


Eleven (11) police cars were turned over Tuesday by the national office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to its regional counterpart in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in support to the peace and order campaign of the newly installed administration of acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Adiong.

The police cars are to be distributed to pre-identified police stations across the region.

According to DILG-ARMM Sec. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, ARMM is set to receive more vehicles for its police force and fire department. He said they are awaiting the arrival of luxury police cars to provide V.I.P. services and a number of firetrucks.
ARMM Executive Sec. Naguib Sinarimbo said the donation complements the security preparation of the regional police force this election period and an added help to the overall maintenance of peace and order in the region.

Sinarimbo said the DILG central office is also sending in few weeks time another fleet of police cars (Toyota Innova) and fire trucks for distribution to the five provinces of the ARMM.

Several areas in the ARMM have been consistently identified by the Commission on Election (Comelec) as election hotspots. The region is infamous for election-related violence and for allegedly being the country’s cheating capital during elections. The massacre in Maguindanao, which left at least 57 people dead including more than 30 mediamen, is said to be the worst election-related violence in the country.

This has prompted the Comelec and other political figures to push for the early conduct of voting in the ARMM, ahead of the scheduled May 2010 polls, to avoid further violence and ensure a clean election.

The five provincial governors of the ARMM had earlier aired their support to the proposed early polls. (bpi-armm)