Iliganons celebrates fiesta 2017, pays tribute to Patron St. Michael the Arch Angel

 Jun Enriquez

Iligan City Patron St. Michael the Arch Angel in a procession of faiths from St. Michael's Cathedral go around the major streets in iligan City going back to the cathedral.

Iligan City – Part of the Catholicism history of the Philippines, Iliganons are known to be devoted to the Patron St. Michael the Arch Angel believed to be the soldier of God, the protector and Prince of peace. On September 29, 2017, the Iligan City and visiting parishioners lead by the Diocese of Iligan headed by Bishop Elinito Galido, hold the finale of the fiesta celebrations by conducting the kilometers-long procession of the Patron St. Michael the Arch Angel with thousands of parishioners coming from different places walked along the major streets in Iligan city from the St. Michael’s Cathedral Church go around the City and going back to the Church for almost 3 hours.

Mayor Celso Regencia (2nd front right) w/ City Councilor Huertas

Mayor Celso G. Regencia, in a radio interview said Iligan city Fiesta celebration will deliver a two face-message between the good and evil. Patron St. Michael the Arch Angel represents the good one and Lucifer represents evil. He said good will always prevail over evil. Mayor Regencia joined the procession of the faiths, He extended his thanks to the Police and Military including the force multipliers from the organized groups for providing security of the month-long fiesta celebration to maintain peace and order. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to the people of Iligan City for their support especially on understanding the importance of the curfew hour as a deterrent to possible crimes is a big contribution for the successful and peaceful fiesta celebration in Iligan City.  

He said despite the conflict situation in the neighboring city of Marawi, the fiesta celebration in Iligan City was very peaceful. This is a manifestation of people in unity fighting against evil with the able help of St. Michael the Arch Angel.

Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, also a priest in St. Michael’s Cathedral is now on Sabatical leave for political reasons, extended his thanks to the power of prayers of the people with the help of St. Michael the Arch Angel for the protection and peaceful fiesta celebration of Iligan City. The Patron St. Michael is the protector and guardian of the people to make the place safe and peaceful Iligan city.

Col. Alex Aduca, Battalion Commander of the 4^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion,Philippine Army based in Camp Pintoy, Suarez, Iligan City extended his thanks for the cooperation of the people and the government for a safe, secure and peaceful fiesta celebration of the St. Michael the Arch Angel of Iligan City. he said the 4^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion in cooperation with the 5^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion and and 15^th infantry Battalion is providing proper security using the available resources to augment the Philippine National Police (PNP) and secure Iligan City in celebrating the half a month-long fiesta celebration from September 20 to October 2, was shortened by 2 weeks from previous celebrations. The most important activities are the “Pakanaog ni Senyor San Miguel”, Street dancing Parade, Procession of the faiths and “Pagpasaka ni Senyor San Miguel”

Aduca said security is the responsibility of everybody that’s why the community is also requested to help the military and Police through the force multiplier to secure Iligan city and has made possible response. Intelligence networks will involve the community to gather information and make reports to the Military or police whether it is true or not. Information gathering is a guidance of the security sector to provide appropriate security. Aduca said they cannot provide a soldier in every corner of the city or barangay to protect the people,.

Col. Alex Aduca, Phil Army

Aduca said the imposition of Martial law is a big help as a deterrent to the escalation of conflict in Marawi City and to suppress lawlessness and violence. The installation of checkpoints is a big help in preventing the plan of the criminals to create violence due to the visibility of the security forces to deny their attempt to conduct terroristic activities.

That’s why community is requested to help in at least gathering information at the minimum and report it to the police or Military to have a peaceful and secure community, Aduca added in a statement. With reports & photos by Bam Gimena and FB post.

Diyandi Festival 2017 - Viva Senyor San Miguel!

By Jun Enriquez

Video File: Diyandi Festival Street Dancing Competition 2017

Iligan City - "Diyandi" is a cultural and traditional practice of celebrating the death. This was known to the original people in Iligan when they were informed in a neighborhood that there is someone suffered from death so they will go for Diyandi.

On the other hand, Iligan City Fiesta is celebrating the victory of St. Michael the Arch Angel triumphant over the evil Lucifer the angel of the dark. The notion connotes that good will always triumph over evil.   

The Diyandi Festival in Iligan City was formally supported by a local ordinance to be celebrated every year during the period of the month of September. The Fiesta celebration of St. Michael the Arch Angel is on September 29 and every year thereafter. This year's Diyandi Festival activities will start on September 20 to October 2.

Patron St. Michael The Arch Angel, secured by Karancho

At 3:30 early in the morning on September 20, 2017, Karancho Lone district of Iligan City was tasked to provide marshal during the “Pakanaog ni Senior San Miguel” the Patron Saint of Iligan City will step down from the Altar. There were 700 Karancho members assisted the Philippine National Police (PNP) of securing the area around the St. Michael’s Cathedral. It was traditionally practiced by Iliganon parishioners that the “Pakanaog ni Senior San Miguel” is a Roman Catholic church event at St. Michael's Cathedral in Iligan City, will be done every 20^th of September the start of the fiesta celebration and also the day of the Opening salvo of the Diyandi festival and announcement of Fiesta activities. with reports & photo by Bam Gimena.   

House Speaker Alvarez anoints new PDP LABAN members in Mis Occ

By Jun Enriquez

PDP Provincial SEC GEN & Mis Occ Provincial Board Member Dan Navarro (2nd from left) welcomed in PDP shake hands with House Speaker Pataleon Alvarez, National SEC GEN PDP LABAN at airport in Ozamis City 

Ozamiz City - Partido Demokratikong Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP LABAN) held its Mass oath taking ceremony, September 7, 2017 at Our Lady of Triumph School Gym, Ozamiz City. There were at least 1,100 public officials composed of Barangay officials, local and provincial officials joined the PDP LABAN party.

Misamis Occidental is composed of two districts, District 1 and District 2. The District 1 is composed of one City (Oroquieta) and nine municipalities while the District 2 is composed of two cities (Tangub and Ozamiz) and five municipalities. Majority of the Mayors in the 1^st district joined the party. In the second district only one Mayor was absent during the oath taking ceremony.

Provincial Board Member Dan Navarro, Secretary General, PDP LABAN of Misamis Occidental said they invited House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, National Secretary General, PDP LABAN to officiate the mass oath taking ceremony of the new members of the political party. The PDP LABAN in Misamis Occidental is now the new majority party in the province, Navarro said.

Navarro said “you will not become a party member without undergoing the process of recruitment and attend party seminar.” President Duterte showed his party leadership convinced the local officials in Misamis Occidental to join the party. Governor Herminia M. Ramiro of Misamis Occidental was invited but did not shown-up for unknown reason. Ramiro is the party chairman of National Unity Party (NUP) in the province. 

PDP LABAN Mass Oath-taking rites

Misamis Occidental Vice Governor Aurora Virginia M. Almonte attended the oath taking ceremony. 2^nd district Congressman Henry S. Oaminal strongly supports the PDP LABAN in Misamis Occidental as well as 1^st district Congressman George T. Almonte.                                                                                            House speaker Alvarez gave updates of the business in congress to the new members of the party. Alvarez was expected to arrive at 12:00 noon or 1:00 PM but he arrived at 3:00 PM due to other two party membership oath taking ceremonies in other areas and Misamis Occidental was the third activity. The PDP LABAN of Misamis Occidental adopted the PDP kitchenette feeding program, with egg and arrozcaldo. Series of schedules in the province had been conducted

Navarro said Misamis Occidenal is generally peaceful and orderly despite of what happened in Ozamiz City on the killing incident of the late Mayor Parojinog and arrested others due to illegal drug related case. There are drug cleared Barangays in the province of Misamis Occidental declared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The local government of Ozamiz City is trying their best to become drug free City. Anti-drug program is now part of the Seal of Local good governance.

Rescue 911 Operation headquarter in Clarin, Miss Occ.

Navarro said Rescue 911 project focused its services in district 2 of Misamis occidental to monitor and evaluate through the online dispatch operational system and disaster preparedness purposes. The rescue 911 project had no support from the provincial government and not aligned at the Provincial Disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO). However the rescue 911 will cover its services in the entire 2^nd district of the province will include the 1^st district if requested. The rescue 911 headquarters is based in municipal hall of Clarin Misamis Occidental seek support from the local governments in the second district to sustain its operation. Navarro was dubbed “daghang programa apan walay kwarta”

Tokhang Surenderees on SALTU seminar 

Navarro said SALTU program was established and started in 2015 due to limited resources for rehabilitation of the victims of illegal drugs is now a complete success. “Tokhang” surrenderees is the partner of SALTU program. SALTU means "Save the none users and Love The Users" program is awareness raising, planning top down and bottom up, identification of resources, organization and selection, training, etc.. SALTU program became good practice as evaluated by the PDEA.

Navarro said The PDEA reviewed and validated SALTU program. There were 20 out of 29 Barangays declared drug cleared in Clarin municipality. Some local government used the new name of the program, PWUD meaning Person who used drugs. It was observed that there is change of attitude of a person from being irresponsible person turn into a responsible family man or member. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) supported the PWUD program extended financial support for livelihood.

A building was donated amounted to PhP2 Million from the non-government organization (NGO) for the “Tokhang” surenderees rehabilitation and training such as Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training. The family members were also trained as volunteer to monitor their family members who are dependent on drugs or PWUD and report to the Barangay chairman or in SALTU office. As of latest police report Clarin is zero crime incidence and presently, per record there was no drug related killings in Clarin because of the presence of SALTU program.

The Rescue 911 and SALTU are twin programs conceptualized and implemented by Provincial board member Dan Navarro in partnership with the LGUs in the second district of Misamis Occidental. With reports from Mike Navarro; photo courtesy from BM Dan Navarro.

Parents complains on allege illegal school fees in Bansarvil Nat’l High School

By Jun Enriquez

BNHS Multi-purpose hall

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte – Several complaints from parents on school contributions amounted to PhP570.00 per student at Bansarvil National High School (BNHS), Bansarvil 1, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. Some parents of the students from Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) when learned the presence of the media visited the area on September 6, 2017, approached and aired their sentiments about the problem why should the school require them to pay the school contributions while in fact the government program is free education. The media group in Iligan City including this writer decided to proceed to BNHS to clarify about the complaint. Upon reaching at BNHS to interview the school principal, Leonilo Gorecho, who was not around due to some important appointment, the school teachers present were able to talk about the complaints on school contributions.

  

There are 1,200 students more or less enrolled at BNHS for school year 2017-2018. The complaint was confirmed from the teachers upon having short conversation with them while looking for other person to talk on behalf of the school principal. One of the teachers said it is evident that some of the money collected was used in the development of school-building. The teachers were reminded that development of school-building is not the responsibility of the parents but of the government.

BNHS principal's office at close mode.

Based on Department of Education (DepEd) policy, there is the so called Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) is the allocated funds for public elementary and secondary schools that can be spent on activities and necessities (i.e. electricity and water, etc.) that support learning programs and help maintain a safe and healthy environment in schools. As a reminder from the DepEd, In accordance with RA 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007), schools are mandated by law to have a Transparency Board on MOOE posting all school expenditures using the allocated funds.

During a short interview with Lanao del Norte School Superintendent Emmalinda R. Duhaylungsod, CESO V at her office in Pigcarangan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, asked if she allowed collection of fees from the parents or students, she said any contribution from school should be voluntary. Duhaylungsod said she will act to conduct investigation about the parents’ complaint at BNHS and if found of any wrongdoings will be dealt with accordingly.

DepEd Provincial office, Pigcarangan, Tubod, LDN

In the parents’ complaint, their children will not be cleared during closing of classes if they could not pay the amount of PhP570.00 for the school contribution. In this case, if not cleared from school at the end of school year the student will not able to enroll during the opening of classes for the next school year. On this situation the amount contribution of PhP570.00 is no longer voluntary but in reality compulsory because it is already part of the mandatory school clearance.

The DepEd policy is free education and zero collection of fees from parents or students. Asking the teachers about the breakdown of the PhP570.00 contribution, they mentioned only few of what they knew such as the Boy scout or Girl scout fee of PhP50.00, insurance fee of PhP60.00, all subjects club fees, such as Math club, science club, among others, without mentioning the amount and other fees.

Upon learning from other schools, the insurance is already inclusive in the Boy scout or Girl scout fee. This should be supposed the concern to be clarified to the school principal as to the breakdown of the amount.

On the following day Gorecho could not be reached for comment about the parents’ complaint. He was called many times by this writer in his mobile phone but to no avail it was only ringing without him answering. He was also advice to send with text messages on his answers but no text messages received from him.

Information gathered that allegedly Gorecho practiced collecting contributions from parents or students through the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of being the school principal of BNHS. Gorecho served 1 year as Officer-in-charged (OIC) and four years as regular Principal of BNHS.

Republic Act 3019, known as the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, section 3, pa. h, states that “Directly or indirectly having financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest.” In principle, any acts disadvantageous to the people and the government is plain and simple corruption.” 

The complaining parents mostly living below poverty line who are fishermen and farmers, urged the government especially the DepEd to investigate the BNHS fees of PhP570.00 per student considered to be illegal, if proven must penalize the culprit accordingly. The parents said the alleged corrupt practices on school contributions must be stopped. Photos by Jun Enriquez; published at MGSD by Nora Sorino.

Maranao people suffers historical oppression over land issue while Marawi open doors to normalcy

By Jun Enriquez

Aerial view of the eastern part of the conflict zone of Marawi City smoke emissions after a bomb exploded from the government war plane air strike.

  

Iligan City - Maranao are called people of Lake Lanao situated in Lanao del Sur with capital City of Marawi. The Maranao people claimed the land they live as their ancestral domain since time immemorial including Marawi City.  Ancestral domain is one of the big issues brought up by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during negotiations with the Government, triggered the armed conflict in Mindanao in 2008 due to the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

The local terrorist Maute group inspired by the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) siege Marawi on May 23 and on the same day Martial Law was declared by President Duterte to suppress lawlessness and violence. The continuing Marawi crisis is still uncertain to end due to sporadic attack and counter attack on both sides.     

The nature Lake Lanao at the eastern side of Marawi

In an exclusive interview with Sultan Abdul Hamidullah Atar, Sultan of Marawi, said that radicalization and ideological conflict are some reasons behind the Maute group inspired by the Islamic State militants launched armed confrontation against the government. The most crucial issue behind the Marawi crisis is the military reservation of the land in Marawi City containing an area of at least 8,407 hectares, and at least 80 per cent equivalent to at least 6,700 hectares is Military reservation, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation of President Quirino in 1953. Marawi city was developed after the Second World War. The kilometer zero land mark in Mindanao established in Marawi City by the Americans. As time goes by Marawi City became populated and considered as an urban area and later on dubbed as the Islamic City of Marawi because at least 95 per cent of the population are Muslims.

Some legal opinions states that Presidential proclamation can be amended or repealed through executive or legislative powers. Marawi became populated and developed into urban area for more than 70 years. If the land problem will continue to exist, the Maranao people of Marawi will also continue suffering from historical oppression and injustice. Sultan Atar said he hopes this problem will be resolved the soonest time so that extremism and radicalism will no longer claim any reason to exist.

Marawi Sultan Abdul Hamidullah Atar

Sultan Atar said for seven days after the Maute group siege Marawi, being the Sultan of Marawi he is respected of all sectors in Muslim society, attempted to dialogue with the leaders of the extremist to vacate Marawi. The intention is to dialogue with them in a peaceful and civilize manner to free the area from any eventualities. Transpired during the dialogue is to agree on negotiation with the President to be brokered by the MILF with the Sultanate and Ulama sectors but the proposal was neglected. The crisis continued and the Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the evacuation centers also continued their sufferings from prolong poor living conditions.

There were Fatwas issued by the Ulama group in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the group called “Darul Ifta” and the Ulama group in Lanao del Sur, condemning the act of violence done by the Maute group and ISIS. Sultan Atar said, the Sultanate is hoping to balance the statements of the Ulama because there were also cases of violations committed by the Government forces. The Sultanate condemned both parties equally on the act of atrocities victimizing the innocent civilians. There are still at least 300 people and hostages inside the conflict zone.

Stereotyping, bias and discrimination were some of the endpoints that Maranao people in Marawi labeled as supporters of the Maute group. Sultan Atar said in reality all of the Maranao people in Marawi were victims of the conflict with almost half a million people were displaced.

The failure of intelligence and information about the presence of Maute in Marawi City is the responsibility of the government not to blame the civilians. The government has intelligence funds coming from the taxes of the people to be used to gather information and protect the people. Militarization is not the only solution to the Marawi crisis but the root-cause of the problem should be uprooted and talked in a dialogue.   

Sultan Atar said the Sultanate will conduct its own investigation on the impact of the atrocities affecting the lives of the victim civilians and came up with recommendations to compensate the damages inflicted by Marawi crisis. He said the damaged is not only relational, lives and properties but it is also generational. “We don’t know what kind of story we will tell to our children and children’s children” Sultan Atar said.

Sultanate Enthronement rites

The political dynamics in Marawi is different to any local governments in other places of the country. The culture of Marawi and Lanao del Sur is homogeneous in nature. They have their own perspective in life, culture, belief, creed and practices of the way of life still very strong. The Sultanate system is recognized and respected by the different socio-cultural forces in Muslim communities even the non-Muslims in Mindanao. However, the Government didn’t recognize the role of the Sultanate system politically including the Ulama group and other informal state actors.

About rebuilding Marawi, it’s not only the government will do to rebuild Marawi but also to include the presence of the civil society especially the affected civilians on Marawi crisis. The created Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) agreed to include the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in all of its sub-committees. The repairs of private and government infrastructures must include the Madrasas and Mosques. The TFBM shall maintain transparency in the implementation of rebuilding Marawi City to avoid disagreements among the beneficiaries.

BGen. Restituto Padilla (photo: RTVM)

Indeed, Sultan Atar said the Marawi crisis will possibly affect the ongoing Government and MILF Peace Process. The MILF shall provide sound explanation on the Marawi crisis why they were silent on the issue. A plebiscite will probably at stake in Marawi and Lanao del Sur as soon as the Bangsamoro Basic Law or enabling law (BBL) will be approved. However, the people in Marawi and Lanao del Sur supported the Government and MILF peace negotiations in past.

In another development, Brigadier General Restituto Padilla in a press conference in Malacanang just recently which video file posted in social media expressed concerns on the Road to peace with three steps to consider. The first step is about the situation that the areas around Lake Lanao and nearby municipalities are slowly getting back to normal. Opening the road to normalcy, the IDPs are already allowed to go back to areas in Marawi City which are declared safe by the Military far from the main battle area. Padilla said that the LGUs were provided with the list for places cleared for the return of the IDPs. The opening of classes in Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus in Marawi City already started on August 22, 2017. The students were provided with service buses to transport from different places in going to MSU. The MSU campus is tightly provided with security to guarantee the safety of the students.   

The MSU entrance

The second step was about the presence of 41 Mayors from various Local Government Units (LGUs) signed a manifesto declaring war against the local terrorist, Maute group. The issuance of two Fatwas by the Grand Mofti in the ARMM and the MILF condemning the acts of violence and prevent the spread of extremism and radicalism. Padilla said the Maute group is not a religious group that has no authority to issue Fatwa. He said “Islam is peace” and the Ulama group is Muslim religious leaders who are authorized to issue Fatwa or condemnation against peace.

Area cleared at the heart of Marawi City going to MSU

The third step is the updates of Military operations in Marawi City. Padilla said that the military operation in the area is progressing. The main battle area has reduced to half a kilometer square barely the world of the terrorists getting smaller.  The main battle area remained complex by the recovery of improvised explosive device (IEDs) and explosive ordnance.     

In related development, the Unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk reduction campaign initiated by the Mine UXO Risk Education (MRE) headed by Abduljabbar Dumagay, Community Liaison officer and MRE officer of the Fondation Suisse De Deminage (Swiss Foundation for Mine Action), is conducting an ongoing information and education campaign (IEC) especially in the evacuation centers first then to the community. The purpose of the IEC on UXO is to capacitate the people affected in conflict to determine and identify properly the UXO in their respective area. Dumagay said it is very dangerous to civilians affected by the Marawi crisis as soon as they will return back to their respective places if they don’t have any knowledge on UXO which can kill people if not handled properly.

During the Forum on UXO, August 25, 2017 in Iligan City, Dumagay said that the campaign has started since the Zamboanga siege in 2013. It is expected that there are plenty of UXO present in the war zone of Marawi City.  Dumagay said the UXO project is part of the Normalization process of the Philippine Government and MILF Peace process. Photos by Jun Enriquez