Iligan LGU pays tribute to Heroes tightened security against terror

By Jun Enriquez (see video below)

At left, BGen William A. Alunday, AFP, received citation award from Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia (3rd left) with Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar L. Vera Cruz (2nd left) looks on with some City Councilors at the background.

Iligan City – Simple but meaningful ceremonial event commemorated the 2017 National Heroes day, August 28, 2017, at the Freedom park, city public plaza this city, organized by the local government of Iligan City in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and different National government line agencies. 

The MSU-IIT Kalimulan Dance Troupe

Giving more colors to the event were the entertainments of the Buhanginan voices, selected government employees for the Iligan March and the cultural dance of the Kalimulan Dance troupe of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), 21-gun salute by the military. Guests and participants attended during the celebration were the Local Public officials and employees of the Iligan City government, Barangay officials, Military and Police, Coast Guards, Non-government organizations (NGOs), among others.

Also present during the event were Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar L. Vera Cruz; Col. Alex Aduca, Commander of the 4^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army; and PSSUPT Leony Roy Ga, City Director, Iligan City Police Office (ICPO).

Atty. Dexter Ray Sumaoy, City Administrator of the Iligan City Government in his welcome message paid tribute to the new heroes, the soldiers who fought and sacrifice their lives just to make sure people can sleep well. He also appreciated the social workers, volunteers, benefactors of local and national agencies, and all those who sacrifice their time, sweat and efforts to serve the Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and outside the evacuation centers who were victims of the Marawi crisis, considering the sharing of the culture of others.

Atty. Dexter Ray Sumaoy 

Sumaoy said the IDPs who are victims of the terroristic acts feel the discomfort in the evacuation centers foothold not to contribute to the terrorists and their comrades, neighbors, friends or relatives is a sign of sacrifice of embracing peace. He said the Iliganons pay respect to protect Iligan given the sanctity to the course of freedom, independence and peace is always a challenge.

Iligan City Councilor, Atty. Demy Plando also expressed his appreciation to the living heroes especially the Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in one way or another contributed a big help to our beloved country in terms economic stability for sending remittances out of their salaries for the sustenance to the needs of their families. Plando said he is sponsoring a local ordinance for financial assistance to help local applicants abroad with an amount of 20,000 to 40,000 pesos to be used for the processing of their applications to unemployment problem.

The invited Guest Speaker during the event was Brigadier Gen William A. Alunday, AFP, Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry "Magbalantay" Brigade, Philippine Army, based in Ma. Cristina, Iligan city. In his message, “the commemoration for the Special day for our heroes who offered sacrifices to our motherland or homeland, enjoy the freedom to live the liberty of progress.” He urged everyone enjoins to help realize the fast changing environment benefiting the pursuit of progress and prosperity.

City councilor Datu Rolando Soong with Gen Alunday

Alunday said “the success of our heroes will not be wasted to the succeeding generations and enjoy the economic advantage in the access of resources on environmentally safe, to sustain the balance of production and fair distribution of opportunities and generates employment.”

The government workers to include the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other security agencies, including the local chief executives are mandated by the people and the state of integrated efforts for the transformation of the environment to produce positive results for progress and prosperity.

Alunday said there must be a balance of the economy and environment to prevent unfavorable impact like what happened in Syria and lately in Marawi City. He said they obey constitutional mandate to secure the sovereignty and constituency with strong coordination of the members of the security sector. He said Peace and order must always prevail. There are threats from terrorism and terrorist groups substantiated with transnational crimes to create problem.

Given the taxes from the people, the government has effectively performed their duties to provide services in a form of education, health, infrastructure among others for development, characterized by sensitivities of different cultures and faiths, and guarantee the quality of life.

   

Alunday said “there is a need the support of everybody because we cannot solve the social problem by combatting alone. Love of country must continue to be done what our heroes started.”

Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia in his message said there are people critical to the President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, which is he is only doing his job  especially the fight against illegal drugs, criminalities and terrorism.

The Marawi crisis to date had at least 134 soldiers killed in action, at least 40 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) died and at least 1,341 soldiers wounded. Mayor Regencia said they are the new heroes of today. He had hope that the Marawi crisis will be ended soonest time so that the evacuees can go back to their respective places to end their sufferings.

 

Regencia said “in today’s National heroes day celebration is a manifestation that we owe to our great grandparents for sacrificing their lives for the freedom that we enjoy at present.” He added “our soldiers sacrificed their lives in the fight against the enemy of the state so that we can sleep well at night.” Checkpoints were created for the safety and security of the people. It is enough to show support from the constituents to keep up the moral of the military and police to continue their fight against criminality and terrorism.

Regencia said the local government of Iligan City always committed its all-out support to the military and police in fighting the Maute and ISIS  in Marawi city. The terrorists wanted to discredit the government to kill civilians but the government will not stop to crush them out. He urged finally the people should unite to defeat the evil prevail peace. Photos & Video by Jun Enriquez; with reports by Joan Eslit.

Video file: Entertainment songs rendered by Buhanginan voices and cultural dances by the MSU-IIT Kalimulan dance troupe.

Magsaysay LGU holds “Kalinga sa Bayan” supports the fight against criminalities & terrorism

By Jun Enriquez

 

The Youth participants formed human peace sign during evening peacebuilding session.

 Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte - Kalinga  sa Bayan was conceptualized by the 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army some years ago to educate the children and the youth on peacebuilding and train them to become responsible citizens in the country. The “Kalinga sa Bayan ng Magsaysay” was organized and initiated by the 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army headed by its Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana, and 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade Philippine Army, headed by Brigadier General William A. Alunday, AFP, Commander in partnership with the Local Government of Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte headed by Mayor Asizah S. Omar. 

The three-day activity was held on August 25-27, 2017 at the Municipal Auditorium, Barangay Poblacion this town. There were 240 children and youth participants during the three-day event coming from the 24 Barangays of the municipality. Highlights of activities were concert for peace spearheaded by the 15 Infantry Battalion (IB) Molave Warrior Band. facilitators training, youth empowerment, bayanihan race, bihis bayani, kalinga night, symbolic human peace sign, peace rally, tree planting, signing of pledge of support for peace, football clinic, dance workshop; gift giving activity and paraisong pambata. The facilitators training, youth empowerment, bayanihan race, bihis bayani, kalinga night and symbolic human peace sign.

The tree planting and signing of pledge of support for peace was participated by all the pillars of local government unit present during the activity, youths, stakeholders, military, PNP, parents, teachers, and populace of the municipality. The seedlings were planted was “kape” from Kauswagan Department of Agriculture.

During the culmination program, Mr. Jaime Y. Yurong, School Principal of Magsaysay Central School in his welcome message said “Kalinga sa Bayan” will enhance the youth to become a catalyst of peace in Magsaysay municipality and future leaders of the country.

Magsaysay Mayor, Hon. Asizah S. Omar said the Local government of Magsaysay supports the thrust of the President to eradicate illegal drugs and terrorism. She said there is a need for cooperation from all sectors to fight against criminalities. There are 300 surrenderees drug dependents in Magsaysay and they were given skills training through Alternative learning System (ALS) and Technical Skills Training Development Authority (TESDA). The 1st batch was already graduated from the training. The purpose of the training is to make the surrendered drug dependents could stand on their own feet to do away on illegal drugs and seek decent livelihood.

At left, Hon. Mayor Asizah S. Omar

Mayor Omar cited the incident in Marawi City was badly devastated by war because local terrorist Maute group wanted to reign the place. She urged the people not to allow terrorism in any of the Barangays in Magsaysay. That’s why there is curfew hour from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM, is to maintain peace and order in the area including the prevention of illegal drug trade activities. The Martial law before is different nowadays. The Military especially in Magsaysay came to educate peace among the children and youth, and help the fight against illegal drugs with the Philippine National Police (PNP) supported by the Magsaysay LGU.

Lanao del Norte Vice Governor Ma. Cristina N. Atay in her message, the “Kalinga sa Bayan” is a big help to our children and grow in positive attitude. She expressed her expectations after the activity the participants will share their learning to others in their respective barangay and impart it on their own lives, to capture the good attitude and left the bad attitude behind.

At left, Vice Gov. Atay with LTC Rosana planted a tree

In closing Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana read the message of Brigadier General William A. Alunday who was not around due to conflict of schedules. In his message Gen. Alunday reflected his own experienced during his younger days, said the “Kalinga sa Bayan” program is beneficial to the people of Lanao del Norte particularly in Magsaysay. He Quoted and expounded the thoughts of Dr. Jose Rizal “The Youth is the Hope of the Nation”, he challenged the youth on how to become the future of the nation. The youth is the hope of the nation because it has the inherent of good health, strength, mental ability and full of dreams. It was observed that many of the youth today did not able to go to school due to high incidence of poverty. There is also high rate of criminalities because some of the youth did not follow the right path to achieve their dreams.

Standing: 1Lt Cesarjin M. Manalon, lectures on security

Alunday said Illegal drug is one of the causes of criminalities, violence that will result to poverty. Illegal drug is a big threat to any person because it will cause damage to the body especially the brain. The person who is dependent on illegal drug will act like zombie or living dead. If the person has no more money to buy illegal drugs they will result to kidnapping, robbery, carnapping and killings just to get money to sustain their vices. If no one will use illegal drugs no person will benefit from illegal drug trade.

Alunday said there are group of people fight against the government also conducted disinformation campaign to the community to portray the government negatively and portray themselves as heroes so that they can convince the youth to integrate in their ranks citing the absence of development. He said development will only come when the government will implement infrastructure projects to generate employment, develop the economy and overcome poverty. As a youth you must arrest the good opportunities in life that the government will offer. It is best to enjoy life in a peaceful and develop community. Finally Alunday said the fulfillment of dreams is the answer of hope of the nation.

Teambuilding activity

The impressions from the youth and children participants expressed their sentiments when they saw soldiers before they thought that there is war coming to town and they were afraid on it. As they attended the “Kalinga sa Bayan” they were happy and thankful because they learned many things during the trainings and exposures especially the customs and traditions of other culture. The participants gained more friends Muslims and Christians alike.   

The children were given slippers donated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by PSUPT Roland C. Batolan, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration, Lanao del Norte Police Provincial office and Gawad Kalinga (GK) headed by Engr. Jake Gerona. The Jollibee sent their Mascot for the children’s game; the hamburger for children was donated by the LGU of Magsaysay and the school supplies was donated by the fraternal Order of Eagles headed by Geovani Hera, Governor, Northern Mindanao Region III. Other stakeholders include the provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, DepEd, ABC, DILG, DOH, DSWD, PDEA, Youth for Development, among others. With reports from Bam Gemina, Sita Asequia & 1Lt Cesarjin M. Manalon (MI) PA. Photos by Bam Gemina &15IB news team.

PH Navy leads relief operation in Tamparan, LDS

By Jun Enriquez

Evacuees waiting for relief distribution at Tamparan Municipal Hall.

Marawi City - There are at least 1,000 families evacuated in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur as a result of the Marawi crisis. Tamparan is one of the municipalities of Lanao del Sur that can be found in the eastern part of the coastal area of the Lake Lanao. At times like the Marawi Crisis, Tamparan is very difficult to access passing at the heart of the city because of the continuous military offensive against the local terrorists. It is more convenient to pass in the eastern part of Marawi City rather than in the west that will double the travel time over the eastern road. 

Tamparan in land passing the route in Bubong Lumbac in the northern part of Marawi going to the eastern part via Kapai, Lanao del Sur, will take 2 hours from Marawi City. Another route was in the waters of Lake Lanao via speed boat from Marantao in the west cross the lake going to Tamparan will take 30 minutes.  Marantao is the next town of Marawi City in the western part of the Lake. The volunteers preferred to ride speed boat which is faster and safer. All these routes were being traversed by the volunteers and security personnel in going to Tamparan. The Philippine Navy and the Philippine Marines are stationed in MSU complex, Marawi City, the former is the mother unit of the latter.

Far smoke after the explosion at ground zero in Marawi City

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still on its way on clearing operations with continuous air strikes headed towards in the eastern part of Marawi City against the Maute group joined forces with other local terrorist group allegedly allied with foreign terrorists. The continuous military operation is confined in one square kilometer with sporadic air strikes and ground assaults that sooner or later Marawi crisis will be ended.     

Relief distribution at the gym.

The relief operation in Tamparan on August 16, 2017 was conducted by the Naval Task Group Marawi composed of the Civil Military Officer (CMO) of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command headed by Ens. Roel E. Vino Philippine Navy (PN); the 623^rd Squadron Philippine Navy Reserve command headed by Ens. Paisal Mawi PN (Res); the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) headed by Lt. Senior Grade Queen Michelle Duran PN; Civil Military Officer (CMO) of the 1^st Marine Brigade, Philippine Marines headed by Major Jose C. Arjona; and Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) headed by Police Inspector Michelin S. Llano. There were 1,000 packs of relief goods contained food items and hygiene kits donated by the Tala Foundation chaired by Kaye Koo. Their project also include playroom for children in evacuation centers as part of psychosocial for the children victims of the Marawi crisis, with ages from 3-12 years old especially those children who did not able to enroll in school due to lack of educational facilities. The NAVSOG and PNP SAF women are the main partners in the implementation of the playrooms for children to act as teachers.

Ens. Vino (4th from right), (2nd from left) Ens. Mawi PN (Res)

Tamparan was identified for relief goods distribution for the IDPs because the place is very difficult to access due to the continuing military offensive. The consultant to the office of the Mayor, Sultan Bangki D. Maomin, said that there are about 1,300 internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in Tamparan rarely received relief assistance. Private organizations usually engaged the security sector especially with the Philippine Navy as partner on disaster response to effectively serve the victims especially on hostile communities.

(2nd front right) Vice Mayor Alinor D. Tomawis

Tamparan Mayor Sittie Amina G. Disomimba represented by Vice Mayor Alinor D. Tomawis, assisted by the DSWD-ARMM help facilitated the distribution of relief goods to the IDPs. Other Navy Reserve volunteers organized and headed by Ens. Paisal Mawi PN (Res) who helped on the relief operation were PO3 Lynlanor A. Taping PN (Res), PO3 Flordeliza A. Candelanza PN (Res), PO3 Nasher A. Gandamato PN (Res), PO3 Nor Jana D. Randasan PN (Res), SN2 Nestor E. Mabini PN (Res), SN2 Ismael A. Panganting PN (Res), SN2 Abubakar Sammy M. Racmat PN (Res). Photos by Jun Enriquez

Task Force “Bangon Marawi” accelerates rehabilitation despite land tenure problem

By Jun Enriquez (song Video below)

Guests and Participants posed during the event with DND USEC Ceasar B. Yano.

 Iligan City - It is still uncertain when to end the Marawi crisis. Despite the odd, a two-day conference on Shared Visioning and Strategic Planning for Marawi Crisis Response and Rebuilding held August 8-9, 2017 at Celadon Hotel, Pala-o, Iligan City was initiated and participated by the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to include the international non-government organizations (INGOs). Invited guests were Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Director Ferdinand Jovita, DOH Director Gloria Balboa, Health Emergency Management Bureau; USEC Caesar B. Yano, DND; Ruel B. Paclipan, Provincial Director, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Lanao del Norte; Engr. Eltemio Sisican, National Housing Authority (NHA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); Foster Anayron, Iligan City Director, Department of interior and Local Government (DILG).

(2nd from left) DND USEC Ceasar B. Yano

The conference aimed the participation and representation of the CSOs in formal structure of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) to directly involve in decision-making affecting the lives of the Internally Displaced peoples (IDPs) as an effect of the crisis. Yasmira N. Panagadapun, Provincial social welfare officer, DSWD-ARMM, Lanao del Sur has brought 200 food packs for the IDPs donations coming from Lipa City containing rice and canned goods to be consumed for 3 days. Panagadapun, a Maranao said “at this point brought by Marawi crisis, this is the time we will plan our future and redesign our lives.”

CSOs & IDPs participants

Administrative Order No. 3 dated June 28, 2017 has created the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chaired by the Secretary of the Department National Defense (DND), the Secretary of Public Works and Highways as the Vice-Chairperson and 21 heads of other agencies as members. The main responsibility of the TFBM is the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City as a result of the crisis on violent extremism by the Maute local terrorist group.

The functions of the TFBM is to Organize & deploy a Quick response team (QRT) that will provide for the immediate needs of the displaced adversely affected families; Conduct a priority needs assessment of Marawi City and other affected areas to develop and implement a “Bangon Marawi” projects intended for those areas; Facilitate and oversee the construction of temporary and/or permanent shelters for displaced persons; Coordinate the restoration of public utilities such as water and electricity, and the repair and re-construction of public buildings and infrastructures; Attend to the health, sanitation, food, and other basic needs of affected residents; Provide an environment conducive to the revival of business and livelihood activities; Ensure the restoration and maintenance of peace and order; and Perform such other functions as may be directed by the President.                

The Finance and Resource Mobilization Support Group are co-headed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), shall be responsible in handling all funding and financial aspects of the Task Force, manage and liaise with International non-government organizations (INGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Private sector to converge relief and  rehabilitation effort.

LGUs and CSOs executives guested at press conference

There are 5 sub-committees mandated under AO No. 3 to address the various fields of concerns in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City. The Sub-Committee on Reconstruction is headed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); the Sub-Committee on Housing is headed by the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS); the Sub-Committee on Health and Social Welfare is co-headed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); the Sub-Committee on Business and Livelihood is headed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and the Sub-Committee on Peace and Order is headed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). DND Undersecretary (USEC) Ceasar B. Yano said the pronouncement of the President of 20 Billion pesos to rehabilitate Marawi will be implemented gradually depends on the availability of funds.

The Information Management and Strategic Communication Support Group is headed by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), shall be primarily responsible for the provision and availability of regular updates to the general public. The Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) shall be represented in all TFBM sub-committees to address social reintegration and social healing in all affected communities. The Offices of the ARMM Regional Governor, Lanao Del Sur Provincial Governor, and Marawi City Mayor are represented in all sub-committees and support groups in TFBM. USEC Yano in his commitment to include the CSOs in all of the sub-committees in the TFBM.

(front standing) Biema Minosa, media, cueing at presscon

Most of the challenges encountered by the TFBM is the return of the Internally displaced peoples (IDPs) to Marawi City but was disallowed by the Military due to security reasons. The parents of the students in the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City were not allowed to enter the premises of the school campus pending the presence of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) to process the entries of non-students. Another security concern was about the Ulama group in Marawi city entered the conflict zone during the just recently Eid’l Fit’r celebration in June to talk to the Maute group to vacate Marawi.  Abdulraman Taher, an Ulama said the Maute group will only vacate Marawi as soon as President Duterte agree for a negotiation to be mediated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Taher said they relayed the information to the MILF Chairman Murad and committed to bring the matter to the President. Taher added that during their sermon in Masjid they condemned extremism and terrorism. “It is a foreign ideology brought violence and destruction in Marawi, it is not the ideology of the Muslims in the Philippines,” Taher said.

However, Former Chairman Mohagher Iqbal and now member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), in a CSOs peace conference in Davao City last month said that they have the difficulty to talk with the Maute group. He said they have one thing in common both are practicing Islam religion but has different ideology. Iqbal said the MILF was labeled as un-Islamic by the extremist. He added that MILF have plenty of Ulama members in the organization.  

Land tenure is one of the controversial issues because 80 percent of the land in Marawi City with total land area of 8,407 hectares is under the Military reservation based on the Presidential Proclamation of 1953 by President Quirino. The 20 percent of Marawi land equivalent to 1,681 hectares is privately owned with title.  In another land issue owned by the government’s MSU has total land area of 1,090 hectares but only 300 hectares was utilized for the school operations. Some of the areas within the unutilized 790 hectares were illegally occupied by the private residents. USEC Yano said that the Marawi rehabilitation will commence as soon as the land tenure issue will be cleared.

Yano said the AFP is doing its best to fast track the clearing operation because as time prolong to end hostilities the IDPs will also prolong their stay in the evacuation centers and their needs accumulates and become bigger as the time goes on. The transitional shelters for the IDPs will be constructed in Marawi to house for the return of the IDPs probably for the first 5,000 families. There are at least 70,000 families displaced as a result of the Marawi crisis. The transitional shelter is under the Housing sub-committee headed by the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and working with the Housing Urban Development Corporation (HUDC). It is a structure with floor area of 22 square meters - single detach with available toilet inside the house. Photos & Video by Jun Enriquez

Moro Artist: Musa Sanguila

ALERT volunteers actively provide community services in Linamon

By Jun Enriquez

ALERT volunteers who are members and officers of the organization ready for providing feeding to children.

Linamon, Lanao del Norte – Active citizenship is great importance nowadays needed to extend voluntary services to communities. The Allied Linamon Response Team, Inc. or ALERT based in Linamon, Lanao del Norte is extending services on disaster response especially on rescue operation. They also provide services on feeding program to children. They also active on two-way radio communication to monitor the peace and order particularly in Linamon, Lanao del Norte to assist the local government and security sector.

Volunteer's Preparation stage

Myla Castro, Executive Vice President said just this day they conducted Feeding program for the children in all of the 8 barangays in Linamon, Lanao del Norte in partnership with the Julie’s bakeshop to establish branch soon in Linamon. This is their first engagement with the said bakeshop. There were 635 children in 14 day-care centers in 8 barangays. The feeding for children contained is in a form of snacks containing bread from Julie’s bakeshop and juice from ALERT. There were 20 volunteers, 11 males and 9 females including the 2 personnel from Julie’s bakeshop conducted the feeding program. The feeding program activity is part of the ALERT 6^th year anniversary on August 5, 2017.

Feeding to children at Bagy. Robocon 

Castro said other ALERT project is bay watch in the beaches of Linamon and some areas of Iligan bay. They have acquired one unit rescue speed boat equipped with life vests, rope, life buoy, spine band. They regularly conducted roving and sea patrol every weekends to watch the beach goers. ALERT was the beneficiary of the rescue equipment from the Bottom-up-budgeting (BUB) project from the Department of Interior and local Government (DILG) with project cost amounted to 300,000 pesos.

Feeding to children at Sitio Tilapas, Bagy. Poblacion

On May 28, 2017, they rescued a woman allegedly committed suicide including with her two children. Accordingly, they jumped from the bridge in Maigo, Lanao del Norte. The dead body of the woman was fished-out in the high seas of Maigo. The two children still unknown until today. On Easter Sunday in April this year, they also rescued the dead body of a man allegedly drunk was drowned in Samburon beach but it was already dead upon their retrieval.

Castro added that the ALERT volunteers will conduct relief operation on Saturday, August 5, 2017 in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte evacuation centers for the evacuees victims from Marawi crisis. They will assist the Philippine Coast Guard shipment of relief goods from Manila whose activity will coincide with their 6^th year anniversary. Published at Mindanao Gold Star Daily (MGSD) by Nora Soriño.

“Kalinga sa Bayan ng Nunungan” showcase at least 2.0 B-peso devt. project

Presidential table seated @ Left, Mayor Aziz of Sapad; 3^rd from left to right: Mayor Marcos Mamay, BGen William A. Alunday, Cong. Bobby Dimaporo, Gov. Angging Dimaporo and Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana

Nunungan, Lanao del Norte – “Kalinga sa Bayan ng Nunungan” is a peacebuilding initiative for the youth by the 15^th Infantry “Molave Warrior” Battalion, Philippine Army headed by Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana, under the command of 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade Philippine Army headed by Brigadier General William A. Alunday, AFP. The event was held July 29-30, 2017 at Masibay complex, Nunungan, Lanao del Norte hosted by the Local Government of Nunungan, the main partner of the event.

The youth participants

On the first day of the event of “Kalinga sa Bayan ng Nunungan” was the youth leadership training and teambuilding seminar. On the second day, the trained youth of Nunungan complimented in the arrangement of the event to effectively implement the program for the day. The Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by PSSUPT Leopoldo E. Cabanag represented by PSUPT Roland Batulan with his men and women personnel, was able to give slippers to children. The Panguil Bay Jaycees International headed by Ms. Edelyn “Buhling” dela Cruz gave ice cream to the children and conducted tree planting activity. They also requested Jollibee to send their mascot and entertained the people, and gave hamburger to children. The Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 also donated medicines during the event. 

Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana, Bat. Comdr., 15th IB

Lt. Col. Rosana extended his thanks to the peace stakeholders for sharing their resources for the very successful event. He said it is part of their responsibility to educate the people on peace-building within their area of responsibility, especially the children and the youth to become responsible citizens and good leaders in the future.

Brigadier General William A. Alunday, AFP

General Alunday said conflict started by the people with personal interest to have huge amount of money through illegal activities and recruit young people. He paused a question about what will be the future of the young people if they will hold firearms and violates the law then become wanted person? Definitely it’s none said Alunday. He added that the menace of the illegal drug targeting the young people will directly create damage to the mind and body of a person that will impacted to social disorder. Alunday advised the youth to do away with illegal drugs with close watch of the parents. Alunday said a peace loving and united family will have a peace and develop community.

At left, Congressman Bobby Dimaporo

Congressman Bobby Dimaporo in his message cited the Marawi crisis that mostly of the recruited members of Maute terrorist group are young people. He said “we will not allow the Maute and other terrorist group to come to Nunungan or in any places of Lanao del Norte, we will prevent them to create damage in our beloved province.”

Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza Dimaporo said that the slogan of Lanao del Norte is “Peace and Unity for Development” she reiterated the destruction of Marawi was happened because their people allow the Maute to do it.” She added “we will not allow it to happen in Lanao del Norte.”

Engr. Jake Gerona delivered his message

Engr. Jake Gerona, President of the Gawad Kalinga, Iligan City and Lanao del Norte said that they already started implementing the construction of 60 housing units in Sapad and hopeful to implement the same project in Nunungan. Their Malaysian partner will provide PhP300 Million a year intended to implement housing projects to be managed by the Gawad Kalinga. Mayor Aziz of Sapad, Lanao del Norte also present during the event.

Jollibee mascot entertained the children & adults

Political neophyte Mayor Marcos Mamay of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte entered politics in May 2016, the only PDP LABAN in Lanao del Norte won over his 30-year veteran political rival in mayoralty race. Nunungan is composed of 25 barangays with population of 18,367 based in 2015 census. 

Mayor Mamay is the 13^th of the 15 siblings in the family fighting hardships to success and sometimes during his college days, a working student and scholar, sleeps at night with empty stomach just to save money to pay for his board and lodging. Mayor Mamay is a PMA Alumni of 2004 entering the Academy in 1999. He was on medical leave after a year but was not able to go back in the highly disciplined institution, to no avail he continued and finished his college degree on Business Economics in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan City.

Nunungan Mayor Marcos Mamay

The big part of his sacrifices is to traverse the 15-kilometer rocky road of Nunungan from Sapad municipality lasted for 5 hours in going back home and vice versa but now it takes for only one hour due to initial road concreting. This was the life of the people in Nunungan for years so long. Prior to his office as Mayor of Nunungan, being an ordinary concern citizen he wrote to President Aquino requesting for road concreting connecting the municipalities of Sapad-Nunungan-Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) corridor and was approved with an amount of PhP900 Million. Upon his assumption to office he is timely implementing the project a dream from his younger days and now a reality.

Road concreting started from Sapad to Nunungan

Gov. Angging Dimaporo said that the provincial government had already approved an ordinance for the circumferential road connecting from Sapad to Nunungan going to Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) already a national road, with the approval from congress through Congressman Abdullah “Bobby” Dimaporo. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now responsible in working and maintaining the road project.

Nunungan road preparing for concreting

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has approved a 5 year plan project with corresponding budget of 1.3 Billion pesos for the forest rehabilitation and maintenance. In parallel to this a Lake development project amounted to 9.2 Million pesos was also approved for the tourism industry. Other project will include Hospital construction worth 9.8 Million pesos from the DOH regional office X. A construction of three units school buildings for Elementary and High schools in Masibay and Nunungan proper, two solar dryers for Masibay and Butadon; Construction of Municipal Hall and Fire station at Masibay. Barangay Masibay will become the new center of governance in Nunungan municipality. The newly constructed 2-classroom school building was inaugurated to coincide with the "Kalinga Sa Bayan" event with the ribbon cutting by Gov. Angging Dimaporo and Mayor Marcos Mamay. 

Gov. Dimaporo, left & Mayor Mamay, right cut the ribbon

Construction of Water system in Bagy Abaga 7.2 Milllion pesos; Spring Development at Notagan worth 5 Million pesos; another water system project for the 5 barangays at 12 Million pesos. The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) approved undetermine amount of 5 irrigation projects. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) approved farm-to-market road for the 5 barangays with corresponding budget of 15 Million pesos. The DILG also approved evacuation center for every barangay and health center for every barangay from the DOH. Other planned project will include the construction of Drug Rehabilitation center with land area of 6 hectares in Barangay Katubuan, a Strawberry farm production will be propagated in Nunungan.

Mayor Mamay signed peace covenant

About the Peace and order situation, Mayor Mamay settled at least 30 “Rido” or clan feuds on big and small cases. The purpose of settling rido is to unite the people for peace and development. Mamay stated his vision “there is no peace when there is no development, no development when there is no peace.” Mayor Mamay said being a PMA Alumni is a big help in his public service because his co-Alumnus help him to access development projects for Nunungan. Indeed finally, Mayor Mamay said he is not a Mayor for the few but a Mayor for the whole populace of Nunungan. 

Reports & photo by Jun Enriquez; Publish at MGSD by Nora Sorino & Sita Asequia, August 3, 2017.

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