Lanao Del Sur launches operation manual for women, peace center

In a bid to promote gender equality in the province, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur launched on November 21, the operation manual of the Provincial Women and Peace Center (PWPC).

The manual specifies the processes and work flows that are to be adopted by the PWPC in the delivery of gender-responsive programs and services.

Guidelines on the facility and human resource requirements as well as the institutional arrangements are also spelled out in the manual.

The launching was attended by gender and development (GAD) focal persons from the different line agencies and municipalities and local media practitioners.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary for Peace-Building and Development, Diosita Andot, also graced the event.

The Center was established with the support of the OPAPP and the ARMM Regional Government through the Regional Commission on the Bangsamoro Women (RCBW) in line with the government’s Localizing the National Action Plan (LNAP) on women, peace and security program that targets to bring national programs to grassroots level, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Andot said the establishment of the PWPC is a demonstration of the government’s active support and leadership in the implementation of international commitments on women, peace and security under the UN Security Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

Monaima Adiong, provincial GAD Focal Person, said the Center seeks to provide women in the province access to programs and support services related to GAD and peace-building and address concerns of women especially those affected by conflict and other related issues.

Located inside the Provincial Capitol compound, the PWPC will house the different activities of women groups, provide capability building on GAD, and training to capacitate women to be economically-empowered.

The Center will also provide referral services for the violence against women (VAW) survivors, Adiong added. (APB/PIA-10)

Lanao Food Festival to showcase authentic Meranao cuisine

What Meranao cuisine will capture the heart of food lovers?

We will find out during the Lanao Food Festival on November 15, at the regional seat of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Cotabato City.

The festival aims to showcase the rich culture and diversity of Meranao cuisine and delicacies.

Key attractions at the festival include feature traditional Meranao cuisine such as badak with kudalis, pindyalukan, inaluban, and kuning as the main course; palapa, byaring and pariya as side dishes; and live music and entertainment showcasing the Meranao ensemble.

Delicacies such as dodol, tomaginting, pinipig, browa, and tapay as well as the famous Meranao native coffee with ginger will also be served during the festival.

The Lanao Food Festival is part of the month-long celebration of the 27th ARMM Anniversary dubbed Pakaradjaan sa ARMM. (APB/PIA-10)

Lanao del Sur strengthens promotion to attract tourists

The Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) are looking at the natural beauty of Lanao del Sur and the uniqueness of its people and culture as the focus in promoting the tourism sector in the province.

During the PTC organizational meeting last week, the Council members identified competitive tourist destinations and spots across the province and scheduled an ocular inspection of these areas in the third week of November.

After the inspection, the PTC and its Technical Working Group will recommend the needed infrastructures to boost the tourist spots.

The PTC also approved the putting of "I Love Lanao del Sur" emblems in strategic areas of the province.

The promotion of Meranao crafts and food products, especially their unique spice called 'palapa' were also tackled during the meeting to attract prospective tourists to visit the province, not only for its natural beauty but also for its unique products and cuisine.

The Council further plans to focus part of its promotional efforts on halal tourism in a bid to tap the growing market of Muslim tourists.

The PTC was created through an Executive Order dated September 29, 2016 to provide technical support to the provincial government and recommend policies and programs for tourism promotion and development.

The Council is composed of representatives from the provincial government, provincial heads of national line agencies, and representatives from the business and banking sectors. (APB/PIA-10)

DTI, REZA works to strengthen import-export industry in ARMM

Members of different government sectors and the Chamber of Commerce and Industries attended the Orientation-Briefing on Importation given by the Bureau of Customs today at the Bajau Hall, ORG Compound.

The forum, organized by the ARMM Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA) and Polloc Free Port, was aimed at re-orienting ARMM trading clientele on the business of import and export.

This was a step taken by DTI to encourage even small business traders to legalize all their importing transactions to eliminate the rampant misconceptions of illegal smuggling especially for products coming in from nearby Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to Fernando de Dios, DTI Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist, barter trading played a big part in the economic stimulus in the ARMM and this is why DTI is looking to revive the industry.

He said that the agency is working on reviving the real barter trading as it is, and not just the one-way system that it is today. “The barter that we are talking about today is no longer the barter that we knew early on when Sulu was still the barter trading center,” he adds. According to him, the proper orientation on import and export guidelines for ARMM traders certainly paves the way for the revival of the industry.

Eshan Karl Mabang, Administrator of the Polloc Free Port said that the port’s design meets international port standards and that it is ready for international importation and exportation anytime. Mabang supports the revival of the barter trading and the projected boost this will have in the export side of the industry.

“We support this kind of economic activity dahil una, pag maging successful ito, we can provide employment, increase our revenue collection at malaki ang magiging remittance natin,” he said.

To date, the Port is only mobilizing on its imports on cement, corn, and equipment for renewable energy, coming in from countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, and India.

REZA-ARMM also ensured that it is ready not only for importation, but also for exportation after it entered into a Joint Memorandum Order with the Bureau of Customs last October 2015, on the implementation of the mandatory Electronic Processing of Transshipments of REZA locators to REZA Zones and other procedures through the E2M system.

E2M (electronic-to-mobile) is an internet-based technology that allows Customs Officers and traders to handle most of their transactions online. It makes use of advanced technology including electronic signatures to provide government officials with new tools to enable them to make dramatic improvements in security, trade efficiency, and to fight against corruption.

One of those who will benefit from the innovation is the Bangsamoro Oil and Fuels Corporation, which is waiting for its importation permit as it looks forward to building a four million peso oil depot in Polloc under a joint-venture agreement with a Malaysian company.

Dr. Amor Pendaliday, President of the Corporation said the construction will take around three to five months and that the depot will have a petroleum capacity of about 14 million liters. According to him, petroleum prices, especially in the nearby areas of Maguindanao and Lanao, will definitely go on a major roll back once the depot starts operating.

Dr. Pendaliday is certain that once the Liguasan Marsh is explored and developed, exportation of crude oil is also very possible in the near future. (BPI/PIA-10)

DTI, Lanao del Sur provl govt to establish Go Negosyo Center

In a bid to assist entrepreneurs start and manage their business, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office and the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur is eyeing the establishment of a Go Negosyo Center in the province.   

Danny Arumpac, senior trade and industry development specialist and Go Negosyo focal person, said the establishment of Negosyo Center will bring government services closer to small businesses and promote entrepreneurship in the province.   

Under the Republic Act 10644, also known as the Go Negosyo Act, a Negosyo Center shall be established in all provinces, cities and municipalities to promote the ease of doing business and help create jobs and livelihood.   

Jasnia Adiong-Pandapatan, provincial livelihood training center manager, said the Negosyo Center of the province will be established at the Lanao Peoples' Park for greater accessibility.   

Among the services to be offered by the Negosyo Center include business registration through the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) System and Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE); business advisory services such as product development, market promotion, financing facilitation, investment promotion, and SME counseling; and business information and advocacy.   

The Negosyo Center will have reception, meeting and working areas, as well as training room.   Provincial Governor Soraya Adiong issued Executive Order No. 21 creating the Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Council to serve as the coordinating and oversight body for the Go Negosyo Center. (APB/PIA-10) 

200 indigent PWDs, senior citizens in Lanao del Sur receive free wheelchairs

Some 200 persons with disability (PWDs) and senior citizens  in the province  were given free wheelchairs on November 3, 2016.

The distribution,  led by Lanao del Sur First District Representative Ansaruddin Adiong and Provincial Governor Soraya Adiong, was held at the Provincial Capitol Compound, Marawi City.

Salma Jayne Tamano, Provincial Information Officer, said  additional 400 wheelchairs are set to be distributed by Congressman Adiong and Governor Adiong in far flung municipalities and district hospitals in the province in the coming weeks.

The beneficiaries are initially recommended by the municipal mayors and have undergone assessment by the Provincial HealthOffice.

She said the mobility assistance was requested by Congressman Adiong from the Department of Health Central Office.

Despite its being a separate legislative district, Tamano said Congressman Adiong has also allocated wheelchairs to PWDs and senior citizens from the second district of the province who are needing mobility assistance. (APB/PIA-10)