PSA updates ARMM on PH statistical dev't program

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted a forum on Wednesday, January 24, in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional seat to update ARMM constituents on the 2011-2017 Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP). National Statistician and PSA head Lisa Grace Bersales said there is gradual decline in poverty incidence in the region but the figure is lower than what was expected by the ARMM regional government. 

Based on data covering 2014-2015, poverty incidence in the region was estimated at 48.2 percent close to figures monitored in previous years.

“The basis of our poverty statistics is income, and incomes of households respond very slowly to the interventions; but I feel that it’s a good start,” said Bersales.

“Poverty statistics is the most controversial because poverty is multi-dimensional, very complex situation, and our official poverty statistics for now focuses on one dimension, which is income,” she said.

She said that the government interventions to trickle down to household level income take much time and this is the reason for the disappointment sometimes of local governments on the poverty statistics that PSA releases.

In recognition of this, Bersales said the PSA listens and knows the needs of their partners and try to address these needs as much as possible. 

“We hope to develop multi-dimensional statistics which will capture the improvements in health and education, not just the income statistics,” she said.
During the forum, PSA-ARMM regional director Abubakar Asaad stressed the importance of data in the regional government’s planning. 

The PSDP activity here was described as a regional dissemination forum that also provided updates on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for both the ARMM and Soccsksargen or Region 12.

Candido Astrologo, assistant national statistician, discussed highlights of the PSDP while Wilma Guillen, assistant national statistician for the social sector statistics service, provided the overview for the SDGs.

As of latest official statistics, ARMM has a total population of 3,781,387 in 116 municipalities, and 2,490 barangays. 

From 2014 to 2015, the region registered an economic growth of 5.3 percent  in terms of Gross Regional Domestic Product.

Meanwhile, lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM Executive Secretary, said Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman is delighted with the presence of the PSA at the region’s seat. 

She said Gov. Hataman looks forward that with the help of the PSA, ARMM can set its direction, thrust and priorities in strengthening statistical development in the region.
The mere presence of PSA in the city, Sec. Alamia added, signals that ARMM is now getting timely and relevant data on the different sectors of the region. 

Prior to the Hataman administration, there has been no established communication between the PSA and the regional government, she said.(BPI/PIA-10)

ARMM finalizes draft for Regional Development Plan PLAN 2017-2022

Members of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Development Administration Committee (RDAC) convened on  January 20, 2017 to finalize the draft for the four chapter entries of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022.

The RDAC will then submit the enhanced four-chapter draft to the Regional Economic Development Planning Board (REDPB) to form part of the RDP.

The committee, chaired by the regional Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) , is responsible for planning strategic steps to ensure the attainment of the development outcomes of the sectors in good governance, peace order and safety, access to justice, and fiscal policy.

Along with the RDAC, the Regional Economic Development Committee, Regional Infrastructure Development Committee, Regional Admnistration Development Committee, and the Regional Social Development Committee, are also finalizing their designated entries to the RDP.

The RDP, as the regional counterpart of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), is consistent with the national plan of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to establish foundations for inclusive growth, high trust society and globally competitive economy.

The regional plan will form part of the Annexes to the PDP, covering the six-year term of President Rodrigo Duterte, and is set to be released this February.

The PDP shall focus on regional, infrastructure, agriculture, and culture development and the strategies of the government in attaining the long-term vision and socio-economic agenda of the Duterte administration, as well as the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.  (BPI/PIA-10)

ARMM convenes network of regional IOs

The  Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) convened for the first time this year its Guild of Information Officers convened for the first time this year, at the Bajau Hall, Office of the Regional Governor, Tuesday, January 17, 2017.

The major plans of the Guild for this year including the conduct of skills enhancement trainings for all information officers, the election of its new sets of officers, and the re-branding of the ARMM government messaging were discussed during the meeting.

The Guild also plans to conduct enhancement trainings on technical and news writing, social media use and campaign, and the effective ways of communication.

ARMM Bureau of Public Information OIC Executive Director Cris Gaerlan challenged the Guild members to strategically communicate the reforms in the region in a unified and consistent manner. 

Gaerlan said all ARMM agencies’ messaging must be anchored and related to the regional government’s primary goal this year – poverty alleviation and the attainment of peace and security.

The ARMM Guild of Information Officers is a society of information and public relation officials who work together on the development of their specific crafts on communication. (BPI/PIA-10)

Former ARMM Information Chief is now Head of Office of Bangsamoro Youth Affairs

 

 

Youth advocate, journalist, and erstwhile executive director of the ARMM Bureau of Public Information, Amir Mawallil is the new head of the Office of Bangsamoro Youth Affairs. Mawallil steps into the shoes of Salic Sharief, Jr. after the former's appointment was signed by Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman on January 12, 2016.

Hataman based his choice on Mawallil's advocacies of youth awareness, vis a vis the numerous issues that Moro youth need to deal with. Hataman expects the new OBYA Executive Director to take the lead towards empowering the youth at all levels. It is time that the Bangsamoro youth take an active role in their communities, engaging their leaders to bring youth awareness to the fore.

“The youth is constantly faced with a lot of challenges, especially here in the ARMM where poverty has proven to be a pervasive problem,” Mawallil said. “Poverty makes our youth vulnerable, especially with the rise of extremism that preys on the youth’s idealism and hope,” he said. Add to that the clear and present danger of terrorism now targeting the youth, making Mawallil's job cut out for him.

Mawallil believes that the youth should go beyond the education that they get from schools, and that opportunities should be provided for this, alongside the regional government's efforts to make basic social services available to all.

“We have been working hard to provide quality services and job opportunities across the region, especially for the Bangsamoro youth,” Mawallil said. “The OBYA is committed to ensuring these efforts translate to real opportunities, which translates to the growth and development of our region.”

The young Mawallil has had years of experience in human rights work and communications, and has served as the Executive Director of the BPI-ARMM for more than three years, prior to his appointment as OBYA head.

The OBYA was established in recognition of the vital role of youth in regional development and nation building. It is mandated to develop, promote and protect the well-being of the Bangsamoro youth in various aspects, including their moral, social, and political growth as citizens. (Bureau of Public Information)

Lanao del Sur PDRRMC conducts damage assesment in 6 flooded towns

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held an emergency meeting early morning today, January 17, 2016, following a heavy downpour yesterday that flooded the municipalities of Ramain, Taraka, Kapai, Poona Bayabao, Maguing, and Balabagan, and are set to conduct a Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in the said towns afterwards.

The Provincial Administrator led the said meeting with representatives from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Engineering Office, Accounting Office and Provincial Information Office.

Governor Soraya Alonto Adiong has ordered and sent five teams for a visual assessment of the areas affected by the low pressure area and tail-end of a cold front that has also devastated other partd of Northern Mindanao.

Immediate assistance is said to be immediately given to the affected communities.

According to Col. Tatar Boriongan of PDRRMO, there was an estimated Php10M worth of damages in both agricultural and residential properties.

ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD-ARMM) also arrived today to help in the RDANA according to PDRRMO assistant head Saripada Pacasum.

Pacasum also stated that of the latest data from the ground, in Kapai, there is no casualty reported although there are numerous damaged properties like houses and school buildings. The official count on affected households is still to come from the respective MDRRMOs.

ARMM gov’t. to prioritize poverty alleviation in 2017

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government will focus on poverty alleviation in the region this year.

In a media forum dubbed Tapatan sa ARMM, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said there is a P4-billion allocation for various programs and projects aimed at eliminating hunger and malnutrition in the region. 

Governor Hataman also responded to various issues affecting the ARMM as well as policies of President Rodrigo Duterte specifically on the war against illegal drugs and criminality and its effects in the region.

He also expressed full support to the President’s initiative to eliminate illegal drugs and criminality in the country.

With regards to terror threats and drug-related violence, Governor Hataman disclosed that the 6^th Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police have intensified security measures and will definitely be on top of the situation, along with the regional government’s support, to ensure peace and order stability in the region.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the ARMM at the provincial levels are also on high alert after the recent jailbreak in North Cotabato involving high-profile inmates, the regional governor said.

The local government units of areas where the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) operates have created teams led by the Cooperative Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture to implement productivity activities aimed at helping local communities, including families of ASG members, he further said.

Governor Hataman also clarified the cause of delay in the release of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) payouts that sometimes take as long as five months.

“Ang control ng Department of Social Welfare of Development (DSWD) sa ARMM at regional government ay monitoring lamang, kahit mag huhumiyaw ang DSWD-ARMM at ang regional government na bayaran na, kung walang paper for the contractor to pay it, walang mangyayari,” he said.

DSWD-ARMM has already scheduled a meeting with the DSWD central office to discuss about the technical problems the program is facing and to clear out issues on inconsistencies.

As to the economy, the regional government is expecting this year around the same level as 2016’s investment inflow.

He said his administration is looking at inviting more job-generating investments this year to provide more opportunities to his constituents. (BPI/PIA-10)

Oversight bodies to protect, develop Lake Lanao river basin created

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) created oversight bodies to protect and manage the Lake Lanao River Basin.

The Lanao Basin Management Council and five sub-watershed management councils were created in a workshop held on January 9-10, 2017 in Grand City Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

The workshop was aimed to ensure that Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project or (INREMP) activities are carefully planned and carried out through the oversight bodies to protect, manage and develop the Lake Lanao River Basin.

INREMP is intended to address unsustainable watershed management in four priority river basins including Lake Lanao.

Members of the oversight bodies were also oriented on their roles and responsibilities to effectively manage the watersheds in Lake Lanao River Basin.

Present during the meeting were Governor Bedjoria Soraya A. Adiong, Vice Governor Mamintal “Bombit” A. Adiong, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Lordelie Enjambre who represented Secretary Abul Khayr Alonto, Municipal Mayors League President Atty. Dimnatang L. Pansar, Pipalawan Naga, Interior and Local Government Assistant Regional Director McMillan Lucman, local chief executives, and representatives from the provincial DENR, Philippine Army, National Power Corporation, Mindanao State University.

Provincial Governor Adiong said failure to protect Lake Lanao will have a negative impact not only in the lives of the Maranaos but to all Mindanaoans.

She said Lake Lanao presents many benefits to people - be it economic, recreational, aesthetic, cultural, educational, scientific, and ecological. (PIO Lanao del Sur/PIA-10)