Balik-Marawi: Sa Panahon ng Bagong Gyera

BY THE COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) IN MINDANAO

(CSOs of Iligan City, Marawi City and Initiatives for International Dialogue, Davao City) 

3rd Year of Marawi Siege: 

Meranaw Civil Society leaders demand ‘Balik-Marawi’; urge gov’t to make IDPs part of social protection program on COVID-19 pandemic

In line with the commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of the infamous “Marawi Siege”—a tragic event that befell the people of Marawi City three years ago during the Holy Month of Ramadan—Meranaw civil society leaders today held an hour of conversation in Iligan City dubbed "BALIK MARAWI: SA PANAHON NG BAGONG GYERA (Conversations on Internal Displacement, Ramadan, and COVID-19)".

Three years since the war that turned the whole of Marawi City into rubble, thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing at ground zero or the 24-barangay group of residents from the most affected areas (MAA) of the once peaceful and progressive city have yet to return to their homes. The Mindanao Displacement Dashboard of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that as of April 2020, a total of 25,355 families (126,775 individuals) are still displaced in various parts of Lanao province and Marawi City in the aftermath of the 2017 siege.

During the conversation in Iligan, the Meranaw civil society leaders said, “The Bakwits (evacuees) are highly vulnerable especially now that we have a global health crisis. Additionally, many IDPs migrated to the National Capital Region (NCR) and other parts of the country. This multiple-displacement aggravated by the government’s delayed clearing operations have deprived the bakwits of much-needed income for survival”. 

SAFE AND DIGNIFIED RETURN

Sultan Abdul Hamidullah Atar lamented that ‘the displaced residents of Marawi especially in the MAA who have yet to return home are now again in the midst of another war, a continuing siege brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic’. 

The public health crisis led the government to roll out containment measures through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). Life is doubly hard for home-based IDPs and those in transitory shelters since they are severely affected by the disproportionate impact of the pandemic to their safety, health, and livelihood. “Due to a prolonged displacement, they remain to be highly vulnerable since the failure to rebuild Marawi is a continuing disruption as well”, Sultan Atar continued. 

It can be recalled that Meranaw civic leaders have urged for the resignation of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario citing the failure of the task force’s rehabilitation program in Marawi and demanded a congressional inquiry on the delay and alleged reports on corruption. 

Amenodin Cali of the Kalimudan sa Ranao Foundation stressed, ‘They (TFBM) have a consistent supply of excuses during our dialogues with them as to why until now we can’t finally go home. It has been three years of waiting in vain. Our demand is simple: safe, dignified, and unconditional return to the MAA in Marawi City by the IDPs including those in diaspora nationwide’.

TFBM lately announced the extended deadline of the Marawi rehabilitation to December 2021, Samira Gutoc, a Meranaw civic leader, emphasized “this is overkill and superfluous, TFBM should open the MAA the soonest, prioritize shelter reconstruction with fewer conditionalities and not wait for the completion of large-scale infrastructures.  Allow us to live the ‘new normal’ in Dansalan (Marawi), our place of origin”.

#BALIK-MARAWI

Alluding to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 114 institutionalizing the ‘Balik-Probinsya, Balik-Pagasa’ program (BP2) to decongest Metro Manila amid the COVID-19 and balance regional development, Drieza Lininding of the Moro Consensus Group said “much attention is given to the BP2 program as a national relocation strategy of the government, but why have they forgotten Marawi? Just months ago during our dialogue in Malacanan, the President had promised to fast track the rehabilitation plan. We have long been demanding for “Balik-Marawi”, our version towards durable return to fully rebuild our lives’. 

He added, ‘The Balik-Probinsya program, if effectively localized, is an opportunity to extend amelioration scheme to the IDPs, decongest the temporary shelter sites, facilitate the return of ‘home-based’ IDPs, and spare them the potential double whammy of being infected with COVID-19.”

Lininding explained, “In our proposal for Balik Marawi, the Meranaws will not be traveling thousands of miles to return home. Only a few kilometers. It’s unfortunate however that this simple dream has been a distant prospect for three years now.” 

To comprehensively respond to the public health crisis anchored on other parallel insecurities and vulnerabilities such as prolonged displacement and poverty, Meranaw civil society leaders also demand to make the IDPs front and center of all social protection programs currently being implemented by the IATF-EID.  

Apart from the imperatives on IDP participation, accountability and governance in post-reconstruction, Sittie Joharah Mamacotao, a young IDP woman leader from the ground zero had finally reminded, “we will relentlessly pursue the centrality of addressing justice issues of the surviving families and children of those who have gone missing and died during the siege, who after three years remain unidentified and unnamed”.  

The displaced residents of Marawi, who are on ‘quarantined’ celebration during the Holy Month of Ramadan, have been living several versions of their ‘new normal’ in the last three years. They just have to continue to build their resiliency and preserve the memory of a recent past in order for the society to learn from this tragedy, prevent the future spiral of conflict and violence, and manage this continuing disruption during the pandemic.  ###

Eidl fitr 1441 H: a celebration amidst a crisis

Mosque in the Philippines (Courtesy from the Internet)

BY ASANGAN T. MADALE

Cotabato City (May 24, 2020)—As the entire world continues to combat the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Muslims were placed in an entirely unique position for the past 30 days. Aside from adapting to the quarantine measures, Muslims had to observe the sacred month of Ramadhan inside their homes.

For the Bangsamoro communities in the Philippines, the celebration of this year’s is Eid’l Fitr is not an exemption to the restrictions caused by the crisis prompting various feelings and ways to enjoy one of the two biggest festivities in Islam. Just like major gatherings affected by the Covid-19 crisis, Eid’l Fitr was observed quite differently this year. Contrary to what has been practiced in various Bangsamoro communities all over the country, where Muslims would gather up for the congregational prayer usually performed in open fields followed up by various social gatherings, like eating together or going to beaches. This time, none of those would be possible. With quarantine measures still in place, the Bangsamoro celebrated Eid’l Fitr inside their respective homes.

Emotional Shift

While religious clerics all over the Bangsamoro consistently reminds Muslim worshippers to abide by the ongoing quarantine measures, it’s expected that the transition is not easy, especially for those who would take Ramadhan and the Eid celebrations to be with their families and in some cases, rekindle ties. For some, it is not just the physical adjustments that make this year’s Eid different, but the emotional shift going towards the celebration. “It’s sad, because usually after the Eid prayer, we’d visit our relatives and even the graves of those who already departed. We would have ‘kandulis’ (traditional food offering). Eid has somehow become an annual reunion for our family,” said 26-year-old Ashreabai Sinarimbo, who currently works in a local government unit in Maguindanao.

Roaming around to visit loved ones is not possible this year due to quarantine protocols. Families had to make use technology to greet and reconnect with each other for the meantime. “Now, I’m not sure what to do or expect. The feeling this year is different from what we’re used to. I mean, before, because you would really feel you belong to a community, united for worship. But now, we cannot see that anymore, since we’re stuck in our homes,” Sinarimbo added.

For Al-raffy Harun, a ground crew for an airport in Tawi-Tawi, this year’s Ramadhan and Eid celebration changed the norm unexpectedly, especially for their community who are used to traditional “takbir,” when culminating the end of the 30-day long fasting. “Honestly, nakakapanibago, at ang hirap tanggapin na yung dating nakasanayan mo ay bigla na lang hindi na pwedeng gawin. Lalo na dito sa amin sa Sitangkay, Tawi-Tawi na halos lahat ay Muslim at nakasanayan na tuwing Eid celebration ay inaabangan ang “takbir” kasama na ang sobra-sobrang paghahanda ng bawat bahay sa pagdating ng kani-kanilang mga bisita, kasama na ang paghahanda ng mga kasuotan” Harun said.

Acceptance and Optimism

Harun also said that despite the cancellation of traditional practices during Eid, Muslims should find positivity from this sudden shift including the gift of being with the family throughout the quarantine period. “I believe that everything happens for a reason at kung hindi man pwedeng magdasal sa Masjid, at least pwede sa bahay kasama ang pamilya,” Harun added.

in another development, Mindanao State University – Malabang Community High School teacher Jamal M. Baulo, Muslims should see both the good and the bad side have equal opportunities for learning and making the most in isolation. “I feel blessed for this year’s celebration, since I have become more closer to my family since the ECQ began, especially most of our family stayed at home. We cannot deny the fact na mas masaya pa rin kapag ginagawa ang Salatul Eid sa ating mga Masjid,” Baulo said. Baulo added that he had to research how to lead the Eid prayer but felt happy that he gets to perform it with his family. “Napasearch rin ako kung paano ko ito isasagawa kasama ang pamilya sa loob ng bahay. Nakakatuwa na sa kabila ng pangamba at kalungkutan ay biniyayaan parin tayo ni Allah ng ating mga bahay kung saan ating itatayo ang Salatul ‘Eid. Very challenging at the same time nakakagaan ng kaluoban na literal na magkakasama kayo ng pamilya mo sa pagtayo ng salatul eid. Walhamdulillah, kahit sa kabila ng pandemic na ito ay masaya parin naming ipagdidiriwang ang Eid-ul Fitr kasama ang aking mga pamilya,” Baulo added.

Resilience

The Bangsamoro is expected not just to embrace the changes brought upon by Covid-19, but to take this experience as another chapter to their long and storied history. The changes are there but the Bangsamoro remains faithful and most importantly, resilient and as cliché as it may seem, this, too, shall pass. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

MSU sends 505 stranded students home to Caraga, others

Photo courtesy from ADD/PIA ICIC

BY ASANGAN T. MADALE

Marawi City - MSU President Habib Macaayong said the students failed to go home due to the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in the province to keep the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in check. They were monitored and provided with food commodities by the MSU administration. “Today, we provided two snacks and lunch for their travel back home,” added Macaayong. The MSU administration, in partnership with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Caraga, led the implementation of the “Hatid Estudyante” Program to reunite the students with their families.

LTFRB-CARAGA ferried the 505 stranded students in MSU campuses in Marawi City, Iligan City, and the municipality of Naawan in Misamis Oriental using 22 Bachelor Express buses. “Although may aid na pinapadala ang LGUs, iba pa rin yung nakauwi ka sa pamilya mo. May national emergency tapos malayo ka sa pamilya mo,” said LTFRB-CARAGA OIC-Regional Director Maria Kristina Cassion. She said the return of the students was made possible through the Bayanihan of the  government and private sectors.

“The buses were provided by Bachelor Express, the fuel was donated by Petron and Shell, the allowance of the bus drivers came from private donors, and the food was taken cared by MSU,” said Cassion. “On the part of DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and DOH (Department of Health) in Caraga, they have established drop off points because these students will undergo rapid testing. If the result is negative, they will be placed under home quarantine for 14 days. But if it is positive, they will have to stay in the isolation facility for 14 days,” added Cassion.

The 505 MSU students who were stranded in the dormitories and boarding houses inside the main campus have undergone the 14-day quarantine and were issued medical certificate prior to sending them home, initiated by Dr. Ramli Usman, Director of MSU Infirmary as part of the protocol, assisted by Dr. Alyana Yanna Habib who validated their papers. The students were certified in good health condition.

After a long day travel and upon arrival in Surigao on May 16, 2020, the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital in Placer, Surigao del Norte conducted Rapid Anti body test (RAT) for the returning 87 MSU students, where 86 students tested negative and one with inconclusive test results, a student from Siargao.  A validation test was conducted to the said student on May 19 and was tested positive on coronavirus. The said student is currently quarantine in Community training center in Placer, Surigao del Norte. He is scheduled for swabbing test for RT-PCR on May 25, 2020. Since their arrival, the said student had no symptoms and is in good health condition. An ongoing health monitoring and psychosocial support was provided to the said student. This information was relayed by the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital through Dr. Chrismar L. Mocorro, MD, MPM, CFP who is the OIC-Chief of Hospital.

Jovane Lapaza, one of the stranded students, expressed his gratitude to the MSU administration and all the organizations that facilitated their return. “Di mapantayan ang saya na uuwi na kami sa probinsiya namin. Ang university ay hindi din nagpabaya sa pagbigay ng ayuda sa amin. We are very much thankful sa lahat ng efforts nila,” he said.

Meanwhile, 17 MSU students from Lanao del Norte also went home Saturday morning. The MSU provided a bus and delivered them at the Pantar boundary where representatives from the provincial government of Lanao del Norte received them. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

A reflection of the sad fate experience of Fr. Chito on Marawi siege three years ago today

Fr. Teresito "Chito" L. Soganub

Three years after Marawi siege 

Coming to terms with a horrific, unimaginable ordeal 

                          

By Teresito L. Soganub 

May 23, 2020

I am Fr. Chito, survivor of the Marawi siege in 2017. This is my recollection of that fateful day three years ago, when war broke out in the city and I was taken hostage by local followers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

It was around 10:30 in the morning when we heard gunfires. We knew later these were in Barangay Basak Malotlot, when ISIS warriors resisted a team of government troops sent to arrest their top Asian leader.

While the war had already started, I prayed and asked for God’s enlightenment on the most prudent action to take to protect myself, and the church, and the people. 

The prayerful reflections and discernment led me to a decision that I have to witness the unfolding of events. My experience in the last 23 years reminded me that we were spared from harm as I simply trust and put our fate, as always, in the hands of God.  

Soon, the sounds of war reached the road just near our church compound. But amid the continuing rattle of gunfires in the streets, we promptly had our lunch at 12 noon, and by 3:30 in the afternoon, celebrated Holy Mass in preparation for the next day's Santa Maria Auxiliadora Cathedral parish fiesta.

A climate of fear engulfed the entire city at 5:30 of that sad afternoon. The usual hustle and bustle of the city was gone, replaced with the eerie silence akin to a ghost town as the continued ringing of gunfires sent and kept people within the safety of their homes.

Not a single vehicle was moving in the streets. Lights in the houses were turned off. A deafening silence reigned over the city, broken only by the intermittent burst of indiscriminate gunfires.

Sensing the deep climate of fear captivating the entire city, me and my five lay companions in the Bishop's house gathered in the chapel and prayed for 30 minutes.

At six o'clock of that sad afternoon, after the prayers, we saw in one direction, about 500 meters away from us, the city’s police station and jail burning. The Bureau of Fire Protection station was unable to respond as they were already occupied and controlled by the armed men. 

About 30 minutes later, we saw from another direction one of the buildings inside the Dansalan College compound, some 500 meters away from us, go up in flames.  

While witnessing the two big fires not so far from us, which we were helpless to do anything about, we resorted to prayer to control our fears.

At seven o'clock of that fearful evening, several armed men in full combat gear showed up at our compound’s gate. They introduced themselves as warriors of ISIS dawla, and ordered the six of us to submit to their commands so they won’t shoot.

We were instructed to get into a van. Inside, we met seven teachers of the Dansalan College. Together, we comprised the first group of hostages. Our horde would reach 120 as the war wore on.

As captives, we were living with unexplainable fears, surrounded by around 60 young and war-capable men brandishing Armalite rifles and other high-powered guns, with bandoleers of bullets strewn on their bodies.

“Lord, keep me in your hands.” These were the words I constantly intoned, fully entrusting myself to Him amid that very devastating situation. In my intense and fervent prayers, I told myself before God that my life will never be the same again with this experience. That is, if the Lord wills into my fate and destiny to survive from the ordeal, I thought then.

I and several male hostages were transferred to a location where the top ISIS leaders hold fort, dispensing orders to their fighters. There, we got a daily feel of the war’s nerve center. 

When government forces soon discovered it was the main headquarters of the militants, our location became center stage of the offensives, and we were right in the middle of all the strife. 

During days of intense assault by government forces, we have to constantly dodge from devastating air strikes. For those of us who survived every blast, we suffered the deadly sound unleashed at every explosion. In due time, our ears have grown deaf to the blare. We also have to be alert to immediately seek cover when a barrage of artillery fires and bullets start to rain on our location.

In a given day, I can count at least ten times that I escaped death from a bullet or a bomb shrapnel. Most of the time, I was just an inch away from being hit. 

Seeing ISIS fighters and our fellow hostages hit, struggle with serious wounds and eventually die was also daily fare. The daily sight of buildings brought to their knees by bombs was a grim reminder of the devastating way we could meet death. 

That ordeal I endured for 93 days! Horrific. Unimaginable. A tale that still shocks me to this day.

Having seen death face to face, I was no longer afraid to die. Instead, I prepared myself to meet it at any moment. I was just afraid of being hit by a bullet and agonize for too long before dying. Hence, in my intense prayers to the Lord, I implored, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and all the angels and Saints, that if I have to die, it should not be in such situation.

In a hopeless situation, simply praying covered me with the cloth of hope, especially when I forced myself to entrust everything to God, even asking Him to give me strength to accept His will.

After three years, the deep psychological wounds inflicted on me still linger, although these are within my capacity to manage, through the professional help of psychologists, psychiatrists, and health coaches. I hope that with the passage of time, and with the blessing of God, I can be healed completely.

I thank all the individuals and institutions in government, civil society, inter-religious and inter-faith communities, and the Church for accompanying me and other survivors and hostages, in our journey of healing. After three years, many among us still find it hard to return to our work or professions as the trauma would disturb our thoughts. This can be compounded by current worries of the coronavirus pandemic.

Please continue to pray for our recovery from that tragedy in Marawi. We also pray for strength in maintaining our forgiving hearts to our captors.

I am still awed at why God let me undergo such a unique and privileged faith experience three years ago. It was the greatest test of my faith. 

And today, I have yet to comprehend the miracles of God.

(Fr. Chito escaped from his captors amid intense fighting near Marawi’s Bato Ali mosque on September 16, 2017 and was immediately brought to safety by government troops who saw him. At the time of his kidnapping, Soganub was chaplain of the Mindanao State University. Fr. Chito, currently the Chairperson of the PAKIGDAIT Inc.)

1BANGSA org seeks Lake Lanao Devt and Mgt office amid Covid-19 "Balik Probinsya"

THE SCENIC VIEW OF LAKE LANAO.

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – A Bangsamoro organization known to be “1BANGSA” movement, a non-government organization (NGO) has seek creation of an office for the development and management of Lake Lanao, this province in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) amidst threat on Coronavirus disease and the launching of “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BPBP)” program or the Executive Order No. 114 series of 2020 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, stated in an open letter to Senator Bong Go dated May 15, Friday.

In the said letter, it cited the group is conducting research studies for Lake Lanao development with the cooperation of Mindanao State University (MSU) and other non-government organizations to “alleviate the economic and financial distress of Bangsamoro people” and start their new beginning in the Bangsamoro region amid threat of Covid-19.

Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines located in the province of Lanao del Sur with a surface area of 340 square kilometers and was counted as largest lake in Mindanao that produces 65% of electrical power across the island.

1Bangsa President Maulana “Alan” Balangi-Amer cited the Senate Bill No. 1015 filed in 18th Congress which known to be “Lake Lanao Development Authority Act” authored by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed that the bill would help economic growth following E.O. 114 which relocates Bangsamoro people to BARMM, the recorded region to be covering the poorest provinces in the country.

Balangi-Amer said in his letter that the approval of Lake Lanao’s bill could be part of the legacies of Duterte leadership despite Bangsamoro organic law (BOL), the law which his organization, the 1BANGSA, strongly supported of its passage. It added that he remarked the 2017 Marawi siege and the situation of Bangsamoro people amid rising of Covid-19 cases are “phenomenon to the historical narratives of their fellow Bangsamoro.”

According to the letter, Lake Lanao’s shores found to be an ideal for agri-fishery and water industries in BARMM which is a plus factor to the volume of natural and agricultural resources in the region that could be contributed to the national government.

Meanwhile, Deh Saaduddin told the LANAO Blog News that the  Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar believes to the strengthening of the agri-fishery and  non-farm sector in the government's BPBP program in our country.

In BARMM, Member of the Parliament (MP) Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latip said earlier that one of her top priority bill is the rehabilitation and conservation of Lake Lanao. As a native Meranao, She has a cultural attachment to the lake in part because the Meranao people derive their name from it. "Ranao" or "Ranaw" within the Meranao local vernacular means "lake" so "Meranao" means people of the lake".

During her first-ever public consultation on the issue of Lake Lanao rehabilitation and conservation, all the participants agreed that the best step would be to establish a Lake Lanao Development Authority (LDA) overseeing the conservation and sustainable use of the lake's various resources, adding a technical working group was created to formulate a better bill, which establishes a Development Authority, Dandamun-Latiph emphasized.

Prof. Madid Shiek, former Dean of the College of Fisheries, MSU main campus Marawi City, said Lake Lanao was proclaimed as watershed reserve by virtue of Proclamation 871 on February 26, 1992. He told the LANAO Blog News that Lake lanao is considered as an important biodiversity site in the Philippines, and it is one of the priority sites for environmental conservation. The lake is home to 18 endemic species of freshwater fish and supports a large number of waterflows. In their research work they found in two barangays that were surveyed during the preparation of the Integrated Development Plan of the Watershed alone, a total of 27 species of trees, shrubs and vines were observed. More important, 41 medicinal plants species naturally sprouted in the forest.

There are six bird species in the watershed, among them are the white-collared kingfisher, slender bird crow and cattle egret, stressed Shiek. He added, besides being a source of food and water, a hydroelectric plants that feeds from the Lanao Lake and Agus River generates at least 65 percent of the electricity that energizes Mindanao. Agus River alone supports seven hydroelectric power plants of the National Power Corporation (NPC) with a combined capacity to at least 277 megawatts, (Reports by Asangan Madale, Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

1BANGSA Movement appeals to LGUs of Muslims outside BARMM residing in respective places nationwide to include on SAP distribution

Mr. Allan Balangi-Amer, President, 1Bangsamoro Movement in a message during a peace rally.

  By Asangan T. Madale

Marawi City - Mr. Allan Balangi-Amer, President of the 1Bangsamoro Movement non-government organization  appealed to local government units outside of BARMM to include Muslims residing in their respective areas in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Funds (SAP) subsidy.

Amer appealed to these local government units outside BARMM was triggered when Hadji Yahya Gamor, President of Federation of Islamic Communities in Bulacan reported that Maranaos residing in said place were not allegedly given relief goods and the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) subsidy distribution.

Datu Mohaimen Macabantog, former President of Integrated Muslim Student Association of the Philippines (IMUSTAPHIL) cited that under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act provides for an emergency subsidy in the amount ranging  from a minimum of P5,000 to a maximum of P8,000 to be distributed within two months to cover for basic needs such as food, medicines and toiletries. This will be supposedly directed to some 18 million families and additional 5 million families for the first tranche or a total of 23 million Filipino beneficiaries. A second tranche will follow as soon as the first tranche will be liquidated by the LGUs. President Duterte said “I cannot afford that there will be one Filipino died due to hunger during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Macabantog added, the subsidy comprises the Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) which is being jointly implemented by several agencies ,among them the DSWD. The procedure and measures of ESP are embodied in Joint Circular 1, series of 2020.

Amer said that "helping Bangsamoro people residing outside BARMM region is an obligation of LGUs as stipulated under Section 12, Article VI of RA 11054 otherwise known as Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) without discrimination based on culture and faith.

The Law addresses and correcting the long decade conflict and historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro as President Duterte previously mentioned in his speech during the passage of the BOL

In addition, Amer also emphasized that the increased of populations among the Maranaos now residing in Luzon, Visayas and other parts of Mindanao was due to Marawi Siege that displaced thousands of families of which some of them have  settled in to stay and live outside BARMM for survival.

  

Amer recommended that a Bangsamoro National Coordinating Council (BNCC) be created that will handle issues and problems of all Muslims who are residing outside BARMM.

  

In our surveyed during the campaign lobbying for the passage of the BOL, estimatedly, there are about 1.7 million Muslims Filipinos residing outside BARMM nationwide, Amer emphasized. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

BARMM among regions to lift CQ comes May 16, says IATF

By Asangan T. Madale

Cotabato City (May 12, 2020)—The Bangsamoro region—Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and 63 barangays in North Cotabato—shall no longer be under Community Quarantine (CQ) beginning May 16, 2020, following the issuance of National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 Resolution No. 35 on Tuesday, May 11, 2020.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Cabinet Secretary and Bangsamoro Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun announced Tuesday, May 12, that this consideration of National IATF was based on the classification of some regions, including BARMM, as low-risk level of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) transmission.

Pendatun said, “wala po tayong naitalang kaso ng Covid-19 since May 1, 2020, at ito pong development na ito ay ating tinututukan… ang huling kaso ay mula sa Sulu.”(There have been no new recorded cases of Covid-19 in the region since May 1, 2020, but we are still closely monitoring this development… the last case recorded was from Sulu.)

However, in spite of the recent development in the region’s fight against the Covid-19, the Bangsamoro Government reminds its constituents to never be complacent and follow Minimum Health Standards provided by the Department of Health (DOH). “Kahit hindi na tayo under Enhanced Community Quarantine o General Community Quarantine in the coming days, mainam na sundin ang mga minimum health standards base sa direktiba ng IATF particularly na sa Department of Health,” (Even if we are no longer under Enhanced Community Quarantine o General Community Quarantine in the coming days, it would be better if we follow the Minimum health standards based on the directives of IATF, particularly, the Department of Health) said Pendatun.

The Minimum health standards include: 1. increased physical and mental resilience through vitamin intake and exercise; 2. reducing transmission through continuous wearing of Personal protective equipments (PPEs), handwashing, cough etiquettes, disinfecting environment; 3. reducing contact, physical distancing; and 4. reducing duration of infections.

As of May 11, 2020, 6:00 PM, based on the data presented by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), BARMM, has tallied a total of seven (7) probable cases, 284 suspected cases, and 11 Covid-confirmed cases. Out of the 11 confirmed cases, seven (7) have already recovered, four (4) died, one (1) under strict home quarantine, and zero admission in hospitals.

Meanwhile, Regional Darul Ifta’ (RDI) of Bangsamoro has yet to lift its temporary suspension of the congregational prayers, including ‘taraweeh’ and Friday prayers, in mosques due to the Covid-19 onslaught. “Kasalukuyan pong hindi pa nali-lift ang pag-ban temporarily ng congregational prayers or other forms of religious gatherings dito po sa BARMM. Antabayanan po natin kung anuman ang additional guidelines mula sa Regional Darul Ifta,” ("The temporary suspension of congregational prayers and other forms of religious gatherings in BARMM has not been lifted. We will wait for the further guidelines from the Regional Darul Ifta,") stressed Pendatun. 

The Bangsamoro IATF will hold a meeting on May 13, to further discuss and clarify the new guidelines pertaining to the lifting of Community Quarantine in the region.(Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

COVID-19 nasan ka?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), photo courtesy from the internet.

Isinulat ni JULIANNE ENRIQUEZ ANTIOLA, 12 years old

Batang Kolumnista at Editoryal Writer - Filipino

(Region 11-Top 5 of the 7 national winners out of at least 110 entries participated during the National School Press Conference competition, Elementary category, held in Tuguegarao City, March 11, 2020, Graduated Grade 6-Wisdom with High Honors, 

Gen. Ave. 95.91 % at Tugbok Central Elementary School, Tugbok District, Davao City)

Davao City - Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na pinagdadaanan ng bawat Pilipino, biglang dumating ang sakit na COVID-19 kung saan hindi napaghandaan ng buong Pilipinas. Ayon sa DOH, nang dumating ang naturang virus sa buong bansa noong Enero 30, nagkasakit ang isang Tsino na pumunta sa bansa at ito ay nakahawa ng iba, kaya tumataas ang kaso ng virus. Kinakailangang mas palawigin pa ng gobyerno ang Enhance Community Quarantine o ECQ sa buong Pilipinas upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit.

          Sa nakilapas na ilang buwan matapos ang unang kaso ng COVID-19 sa Pilipinas, unti-unti itong dumami na ngayon ang tala ay umabot na sa 10,610 ang kaso at 704 ang namatay habang 1,842 ang nakarekober mula sa naturang virus, ayon sa DOH. Dahil dito, marami itong naging epekto sa buong bansa at kabilang na ang mga mamamayan. At marami ang mga nadadagdag na mga kaso araw araw.

          Naging epekto nito sa ekonomiya ay ang pag-sara ng mga pabrika at ang unti-unting pagkaubos ng budget ng gobyerno dahil mas inuuna nila ang mga maysakit. Para sa mga mamamayan, ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang masiguro lang ang kaligtasan nila. At dahil sa pag-sara ng mga pabrika, marami ng mga empleyado ang nawalan ng trabaho. Tinatatayang aabot sa 87,000 hanggang 252,000 na mga trabaho ang mawawala dahil sa pandemya. Kaya  humingi na ng tulong si Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterete sa World Bank ng $500 milyong dolyar para sa karagdagang pondo kontra COVID-19 na makakatulong sa mga nawalan ng trabaho at negosyo.

                Ang pagsuspinde ng mga pasok at graduation rites ay ang naging epekto ng COVID-19 sa edukasyon. Nagsimula noong Marso 16 ang suspensyon sa mga pasok sa paaralang pampubliko at pribado. Dahil dito, hindi natapos ng mga estudyante ang school year 2019-2020 at gumawa nalang ang ibang paaralan ng “Online Graduation” dahil hindi na sila maaaring makapunta sa kanilang paaralan.

          Nababawasan ang mga galaw ng mga tao dahil sa ECQ na naging epekto ng COVID-19 sa bawat komunidad. Dahil dito, binibigyan lang ng takdang panahon ang mamamayan upang makabili ng kanilang mga pangangailangan. At sa oras na ibinigay, marami parin ang nagrereklamo dahil hindi raw ito sapat at dapat daw itong dagdagan.

 Sa mga sumasailalim sa ECQ at GCQ, may curfew din na pinatupad kagaya ng Maynila na mula alas-otso ng gabi hanggang alas-singko ng umaga ay dapat hindi na sila lalabas ng kanilang bahay. May ilan paring matitigas ang ulo at lumalabas ng bahay kahit may curfew na kaya sila hinuhuli ng awtoridad. Ang ilan sa kanila ay nagsusugal at nag-iinuman pa kahit ipinagbawal na ito. Ayon sa kongreso, ang sinumang mahuhuli na lumabag sa curfew, liquor ban at iba pang batas tungkol sa pag-iwas sa COVID-19 ay makakasuhan at makukulong.

Nararapat lang na mas higpitan pa ng gobyerno ang mga batas na naglalayong maiwasan ang COVID-19 upang wala ng mahawaan ng naturang virus. Ito ay dahil sa ipinatupad na Liquor Ban ay umabot na sa mahigit kumulang 5,000 katao ang nahuli habang mahigit kumulang 80,000 katao naman ang nahuli sa paglabag sa curfew sa buong Pilipinas.

Kinakailangan sundin na ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino ang mga hakbang kung paano hindi mahawaan ng COVID-19. Ito ay dahil ang ilang mamamayan ay lumalabas parin ng bahay kahit walang suot na face mask at ang iba naman ay hindi lumalayo ng isang metro mula sa katabi kapag bumibili ng pagkain. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

International Nurses Day: Nurses deserve praise, thanks, protection amid COVID-19

Geneva (ICRC, May 12, 2020) – Nurses and other health care workers on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 deserve to be recognized and commended for their lifesaving efforts and personal sacrifices amid increased medical risk -- and in some places amid ignoring, harassment and attack.

The International Council of Nurses and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are jointly celebrating International Nurses Day today, May 12, to laud nurses around the globe, and in particular those managing an unprecedented workload by treating patients with COVID-19 while also maintaining other essential health services. 

Although many communities have made it a point to thank medical professionals, in other locations there are worrying reports of harassment and violence against nurses and other health care personnel linked to the COVID-19 response, including in public transportation and at health workers’ own homes.

“Nurses are the world’s life-savers. They are risking their own health and too often sacrificing time with their family to help those suffering from COVID-19,” said Robert Mardini, the director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross. “It’s heartening to see many communities praise and thank nurses, but it’s distressing that other nurses face harassment, stigmatization, and even attack.”

“The safety of health care workers during this pandemic is crucial for communities to overcome the disease. They not only save people from COVID-19, they also ensure the continuity of life saving health services to protect people from accidents and other illnesses,” said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “We are concerned that the pandemic is putting pressure on medical staff and health systems to a breaking point, especially in vulnerable and fragile settings.”

“Stigmatization and violence against nurses and other health workers in some countries is shocking; the only response is zero-tolerance,” said International Council of Nurses President Annette Kennedy. “The pandemic has seen frontline nurses rightly recognised as heroes, but they are also ordinary mothers and fathers with their own families to protect. They deserve to be able to work free from fear, whether because of a lack of PPE or because of harassment and attack.”

Nurses serving vulnerable communities in poorer areas of the world are also particularly at risk due to COVID-19. As it turns out, the World Health Assembly’s designation of 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife was expecting show of appreciation, Kennedy said.

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is key to protecting the health of medical workers and should be prioritized for them. Additionally, there is an urgent need to ensure that PPE and other medical supplies are available and accessible in low-resource and conflict countries through national measures and intergovernmental cooperation.

In the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, where health care systems are functioning reasonably well, around 10 percent of health care workers have been infected with COVID-19, a huge number of people that may well be an underestimation. This percentage could be much higher in places with healthcare systems already strained by conflict or longstanding lack of investment.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent and the International Council of Nurses call on governments to commit to ensuring the protection and safety of nurses and other health workers, especially in resource-poor, disaster and conflict settings. It is only by ensuring the health and safety of healthcare workers that we – collectively and globally – can ensure a competent medical response in this time of COVID-19. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

Lanao del Sur Gov Adiong supports Balik probinsya program

Hon. Mamintal "Bombit" A. Adiong, Jr., Governor, Lanao del Sur

By Asangan T. Madale

MARAWI CITY - The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur launches the Balik Probinsya Program as one of its COVID-19 response efforts, and in consonance with Executive Order 114 of the Office of the President or Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program (BPBPP). This initiative aims to track stranded Meranaos in any parts of the country, and will provide assistance to those who wish to return home.

Governor Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong  Jr. explained the initial step before they can avail of the project. He said before we can help you, we need you to let us know where you are by filling out the form and they can also join the Facebook (FB) Group Balik Probinsya Program of Lanaol del Sur.

Here are the initial steps you can follow to avail of the project, after filling out the form, they can submit it to the FB Group Balik Probinsya Program of Lanao del Sur, then the applicant would be notified  or may also call the team. The team, will conduct assessment and verification of the information the applicant have stated in the form Adiong stressed.

Any further queries for more information, the Group team could be contacted  with the Mobile phone No. 09268336366 or email at oneldisatf@gmail.com.

Adiong cited that Executive Order No. 114 Institutionalizing the BPBPP as a Pillar of Balance Regional Development. Earlier President Duterte said the BPBPP Council, which will be comprised by practically all government line agencies to roll out comprehensive steps in decongesting Metro Manila, and promoting countryside . The council was given 30 days to formulate the guidelines for the implementation of the program.

The province of Lanao del Sur has 39 municipalities with one city and 1,159 Barangays as per report of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease under Resolution No. 35 which was approved including the province of Lanao del Sur under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), classified as Low risk (Minimum Health Standards), not on General community quarantine (GCQ) or Enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alan Balangi-Amer president of 1-Bangsamoro Movement told Mindanao Examiner that  there are over 7 million estimated Bangsamoro people residing outside the BARMM which are enclosed by Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)  as they have been migrated from Mindanao due to

long -decade conflict and hardships caused by Marcos Martial Law decades ago. These people are found in the islands of Luzon, Visayas and some parts of Mindanao.

Amer said the moves of President Duterte to implement the BPBP Program  in the entire country is very timely in the sense that it will ensure to minimize if not eradicated extremism, terrorism  and other illegal activities of the lawless elements, and supposedly through also the implementation of the National Identification System is a big help to implement programs of the government and resolving security problems of the country. It could be recalled that President Duterte said one reason that slow down the distribution of the Social amelioration program (SAP) was some recipients could not present valid ID, Amer added. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

Prominent Ulama leaders appeals to BARMM Darul Ifta to Open Mosques to Perform Taraweeh in observance of Ramadan Fasting

King Faisal Mosque at Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus, Marawi City. 

BY ASA T. MADALE

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Despite that the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Covid-19,banning the holding of Congregational and Friday Prayers and other religious activities, prominent leaders in Mindanao led by Dr Abdul Hannan M. Tago Acting  President of Dhaylafullah Islamic Institute and Chairman of Saudi Philippines appeals to the Head of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Darul Ifta through special request to open the Jammah Taraweeh in all Mosques in the Bangsamoro areas and outside BARMM region shall be granted to perform their daily Taraweeh after iftar, considering that there is only 15 days left in the observance of the holy month Ramadan fasting expected to end on May 24, 2020. Iftar is a social event as much as it is a gastronomical adventure after susset prayer, a large feast known as "Iftar" is shared with family and friends.

Aleem Mitocur Mustapha Macabando former Regional Director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) cited Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, BARMM Minister of Health pronouncement that following the disappearance of Covid-19 in Lanao del sur and Marawi City has zero cases in the region for nearly two weeks.

Aleem Abbas Saumay of UMMA Party support also the group requesting BARMM Chief Minister Ahoh Balawag Al-Hajj Murad Ibrahim as being BARMM Chair of IATF to allow worshipers perform their Taraweeh inside the mosques as being practice before.

Meanwhile, Dr. Allen Minalang IPHO-LDS Chief said "we are flattening the Covid-19 Curve in Lanao del sur and Marawi City." Too early to tell, but with stringent precautionary and scientifically sound preventive measures in place coupled with strong people's supports and cooperation, health system strengthen, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. We have zero case for almost 3 weeks but are not COVID-19-free yet. I previously recovered case turned positive again on 3rd test after two 2 negative results. In the absence of mass testing using confirmatory method like RT-PCR, we cannot say that we are already safe from COvid-19 since we don't know who is carrying the virus, whether asymptomatic or not and who is virus free. Our standard RT-PCR laboratory however at APMC is forthcoming, Minalang stressed.

Meanwhile, on May 2, 2020, Bangsamoro Regional darul Ifta headed by Abuhuraira A. Udasan, Mufti, who handles religious activities of the BARMM, issued Advisory Religious Gatherings in the region has not lifted the Temporary suspension of congregational prayers and other forms of religious gatherings.

Earlier, lawyer Secretary Saidamen B. Pangarungan of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) also issued Memorandum Order dated April 18, 2020 Temporary Suspension of Taraweeh Prayers in the Mosques and prayer rooms during Ramadan 2020.

He encouraged everyone to perform the Taraweeh Prayer at Home and to Stay at Home at all times during the period of emergency, stressing it is in line with the Islamic principle of necessity and emergency to ward off the rapid spread of the Corona Virus pandemic (COVID-19).

However, Mr Alan Balangi-Amer, President of One Bangsamoro Movement (OBM) suggested that we can modify holding our Taraweeh inside the mosque but each worshipers should be required to bring their own mat or prayer material tantamount to strictly observe social distancing and other protocols in preventing the spread transmission of the corona virus diseases. (Edited and Published by Jun Enriquez)

Papawakas na Prangkisa

          

Isinulat ni Julianne Enriquez Antiola

(Grade 6-Wisdom, TCES, Davao City)

Naipanalong Artikulong Editoryal (Top 5 out of at least 110 national entries) sa National School Press Conference (NSPC) Paligsahan sa Pagsulat Itinakda sa Tuguegarao City, March 11, 2020

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan - Sa kabila ng matagal na panahong sumasahimpapawid ang ABS-CBN, hindi nila namamalayan ang biglang pag-expire ng kanilang prangkisa. Ayon sa batas, sa higit na 6 na dekadang umi-ere ang kompanyang ito, maaaring magwakas ang prangkisa nito. Kinakailangang hindi magwakas ang prangkisa nitong kompanya, ito ay dahil marami ang mga maaapektuhan nito.

Julianne Enriquez Antiola tinanggap ang Top 5 

Awards sa 7 NSPC Awardees na tumanggap
noong March 13, 2020, Tuguegarao City

          Kung talagang magwawakas ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, may magiging epekto ito sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas at iba pa. Dahil sa pag-expire ng kanilang prangkisa, maraming mga televiewers o mga taga-subaybay ang malulungkot at masasamaan ng loob dahil lubos silang nagtitiwala at sumusuporta sa kompanyang ito.

         Isa sa mga naging epekto ng kanilang papawakas na prangkisa sa komunidad ay ang pagkawalan ng pag-asa ng mga mamamayan dahil marami na ang naitulong ng ABS-CBN sa kanila tapos hindi na pala sila magtatagal. Isa sa mga natulungan ng naturang kompanya ay ang mga biktima ng pagputok ng bulkang Taal, lindol sa Mindanao, Bagyong Yolanda at iba pa.

             Ang pagbaba ng bokabularyo ng mga estudyante ay isa sa mga naging epekto ng malapit na pag-expire ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN sa edukasyon. Ito ay dahil sa ABS-CBN sila kumukuha ng mga makatotohanang paksa na kanilang gagamitin sa pag-aaral.

Team Julianne, Region 11 (Davao)

            Maaari ring bumaba ang success rate ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte na naging epekto naman sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Hindi pumayag ang pangulo na magkaroon pa ng franchise renewal ang ABS-CBN dahil sa hindi pagpalabas sa campaign advertisement ni Pangulong Duterte noong 2016. Ito ay naging dahilan kung bakit marami ang tumutol sa desisyon ng pangulo tungkol sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.
          

     Sa kasalukuyan, pina-uubaya ni Pangulong Duterte sa kongreso ang tungkol sa isyu sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Kaya ngayon, nakasalalay na sa kanila ang franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN kung kanila ba itong ipagpatuloy o hindi.
          

Julianne Enriquez Antiola, Author,

Graduated with High Honors

with General Average of 95.19 %
Tugbok Central Elem Sch (TCES)
Tugbok District, Davao City

        Nararapat lang na magpatuloy ang pagsasahimpapawid ng ABS-CBN. Ito ay upang may marami pa silang matulungang mamamayan at ganun din may marami pa silang mapasayang tao.

          Kinakailangang pag-isipan nang mabuti ng kongreso kung kanila bang bibigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag-renew ng kanilang prangkisa ang ABS-CBN. Ito ay upang mabigyan na ng linaw ang tungkol sa isyu na ito at gayun din upang wala nang magpoprotesta tungkol dito.