Peace Business in ARMM and Mindanao

1. Peace is always been big capital business in the ARMM and entire Mindanao. The major players are Government officials, politician, NGO, donors, and rebels? 

Investment and peace in ARMM

TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 19:07 MERCEDES B. SULEIK / FREE ENTERPRISE

THE Mindanao problem has been festering for far too long. Many of us do not fully understand it nor the peace processes that have been continually bruited about by every administration. Neither do we appreciate what is necessary to bring peace and development to Mindanao. 

In two fora sponsored by the Eisenhower Fellows Association of the Philippines (Efap), efforts to bring about an understanding of the Mindanao conflict and the developmental requirements of the region were held at the Ayala Museum last Oct. 7, 2011 and  Jan. 20, 2012.

In October 2010, the issue tackled was what the paper presentor, Mr. Ariel C. Fernandez, dubbed as “The Other 50 Percent of the Mindanao Conflict and the Challenges Ahead” in which was discussed the proposal that all the peace talks in Mindanao could solve at best only 50 percent of the conflict.  

The other half, Mr. Hernandez opined, is about Demobilization, Community and Enterprise Development, and Reconciliation, which is different from the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration that was once offered by the Arroyo administration.  He emphasized the challenge of delivering the basic and social services to the communities affected by violent conflict, and the challenge to the business sector to invest in the conflict-ridden areas even as the peace agreement is still shaping up.  When people can participate in business and social enterprises, it will be the most effective demobilizing mechanism and will even be the answer to the disarmament issue.

Quite understandably, the business sector is wary of investing in conflict-ridden areas, and the question of whether or not it is possible to develop business models for expansion and replication from existing socil enterprises around Mindanao with cooperatives and NGOs.  Also, it is also asked if the time is ripe for business sector to actively participate in building a constituency of entrepreneurs as a key foundation to sustaining peace, and whether the business sector would be willing to share the production technologies and offer these to the market.

The second forum last January picked up from the first, and covered the topic “Opportunities Amid Conflict – A Forum on Business Opportunities in ARMM.”  Organized again by Efap together with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the forum reached out to several business groups such as the Makati Business Club, the Financial Executives Institute, and the Management Association of the Philippines as well as to the interested public.       The keynote speech of ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman stated that “Investing in the ARMM is good for business, good for peace,”  and presented in the forum his plans on how to institute reforms in the region with the support of P8.59 billion that the current administration promised to invest in the ARMM to fast-track its economic development.

A panel of speakers shared their experiences on doing business in the ARMM.  Mr. John Perrine, Chair of Unifrutti Philippines (who by the way claimed that he chose Filipino citizenship, thus emphasizing his commitment to this country), gave his thoughts as CEO of one of the country’s leading banana exporters, and how it is actually expanding its operations in ARMM. He debunked the general impression that ARMM is unsafe for business, saying that it was no more unsafe than other places in Luzon, and that he and his family have lived there in complete freedom of movement without the need for bodyguards.  

Another ARMM industry leader and President and CEO of EA Trilink Corp., Dr. Alfredo Panizales, provided insights from his experience in managing the only franchisee and licensee to provide telecommunication facilities and services in the ARMM.  He said that EA Trilink also implements the Rural Information and Communications Technology Program of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area for the entire Mindanao and Palawan.

Two other panelists, Dr. Fermin Adriano, World Bank Consultant for Mindanao; and Mr. Ishak Mastura, former Chair of BOI ARMM also shared their insights for Mindanao peace and development.  

Dr. Adriano helped to formulate the World Bank strategy, which led to the creation of the multi-donor Mindanao Trust Fund.  He gave a list of 11 successful companies, some of which were foreign investors, with his observations on these companies operating in the conflict-affected areas (CAA), and some lessons obtaining from them. To cite a few:  (1)  Conflict did not prevent private investments in Mindanao’s CAAs; (2) Security and land access are critical investment constraints; (3) Risk-sharing through greater state participation; and (4) There is no single model for development. 

Mr. Mastura reported that as of the end of last year, private investments in the ARMM had for the first time reached the P1-billion mark, attributing the increase in investments to “gains in the peace process.”

merci.suleik@gmail.com.

BUSINESS MIRROR

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Basic Education aid for A.R.M.M.

1. I notice ARMM and national government as of this early 2012 concentrating the education program for southern Philippines. This serve good appreciation.

2. Recipients, poor of the poor children, expecting so much this project be implemented soon. 

MANILA, Philippines — The government is committed to strengthening basic education as a core strategy in investing in the country’s biggest and most important resource – its people. It brings educational services to most young Filipinos, even in the remotest barangays, including in the conflict-affected provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Task Force ARMM” was organized on December 1, 2011, by the Department of Education to improve delivery of basic education services in the region. The task force is reviewing ARMM’s education situation and will recommend measures to ensure that Muslim education is culturally sensitive, Islam-friendly and able to respond to their learning needs. The ARMM leadership is overhauling this year the educational system to resolve issues and concerns plaguing the sector. About 21 percent of ARMM villages do not have schools, and in those with schools, student-teacher ratios are 80-100 to 1. Though 93 percent of the school-age population enrolls in grade one, 60 percent drop out before they complete elementary school, and the percentage of high school graduates is the lowest nationwide.

The Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills Phase 2 (EQuALLS2), the flagship education project in the Philippines of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is helping improve the quality of teaching by Mindanao teachers, with training programs in English, Science, and Math. USAID trained 175 local officials from 11 ARMM municipalities in education management in the second half of 2011.

The Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) is geared to improving access to basic education in ARMM. BEAM is funded by the Philippines and Australian Agency for International Development.

Under the ARMM Basic Education Act of 2010, the region formulated a six-year Basic Education Strategic Development Plan for 2009-2014. The plan targets the enrollment of 90 percent of eligible five-to-six-year-old children in schools, and 95 percent of out-of-school youth to become functionally literate. It seeks to increase by 15 percent the academic achievement levels of ARMM children in national and regional tests.

Through education, the people of the five provinces of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi – will have the chance to live in peace, improve their lives, work together to attain socio-economic growth in the region and be government partners in nation-building.

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UN donor countries assure ARMM guv of continued development support

1. "We are very grateful for the assistance they have extended to our people and we are even more grateful they will continue helping us," Hataman told reporters. People also very grateful if the budget will be implemented soon with out any slice and delay. 

2. 19 months is so short. However, the positive mind like Hataman hope can do it. Good luck Mr. Care Taker.

COTABATO CITY — Acting Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujib Hataman met with United Nations representatives and officials of donor countries and got the assurance of continued support for the development of the region.

In the recent meeting held in Davao City, Hataman presented his reform agenda that his administration is going to implement in the next 19 months.

The UN is among the leading international agencies that extend assistance, both technical and financial assistance to ARMM region which is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

"We are happy the international donor countries vowed to continue its commitment of helping bring about peace and development in the region," he said.

Among the officials he met were representatives from World Food Programme, World Health Organization (WHO), International Organization for Migration, United Nation Commission on Human Rights, UNICEP, UNDP, UNFPA and other country representatives of European Union.

"We are very grateful for the assistance they have extended to our people and we are even more grateful they will continue helping us," Hataman told reporters.

After meeting with UN representatives, the acting regional governor tasked by President Aquino to institute reforms in the graft-ridden but natural resources rich region also met with representatives from Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development.

He said AusAID Minister Counselor Titon Mitra vowed to pursue the education and good governance program it has been implementing in the five-province region.

AusAID is implementing BEAM (Basic Educational Assistance for Mindanao) program and "brigada eskwela" as part of its contribution in developing the impoverished region.

It is pursuing a systematize identification system for public school teachers in the region. (PNA)

DCT/LAM/NYP/EOF

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Cong. Loong distributes mobile clinics in Sulu

1. Good job!

Following his program and vision “Bring the Government to the People,” Sulu District 1 Congressman Tupay Loong is set to distribute five mobile clinics and medicines worth P5 million to five pinpointed municipalities in the Province of Sulu.

The five vehicles arrived yesterday morning on board a boat from Manila and were taken to his residence along Veterans Extension on its way to Sulu for the distribution.

Loong said the funds for the purchase of the transportable clinics amounting to P4.2 million and assorted medicines worth P800,000 came from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). 

According to the congressman, the mobile clinics plus medicines will be distributed to the municipalities of Jolo, Parang, Patikul, Maimbung and Talipao which will bring basic health services to his constituents in a jiffy.

Loong said there are three priorities he is urgently pushing forward under his district to wit: 1) education 2) livelihood and 3) health services.

“Hindi ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral that is why I want my constituents to be literate. I have allocated P4.2 million for the scholarship grant of at least 400 indigent but deserving students in my district. I have also pushed hard for basic health services like this mobile clinic which will go from one barangay to the other to extend medical attention to the people. One of my children died because the medical assistance was so far. To make it more easy and faster the government will now go directly to the people bringing basic health services,” Loong said.   

Loong disclosed he also extended free medicines to the hospitals in his district and appropriated P500,000 to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for extended health services if the hospitals in Sulu cannot provide for lack of medical facilities.

Meanwhile, Parang Municipal Mayor Madzhar Loong commended the congressman for the assistance to his municipality.

“This mobile clinic will give more teeth to our health services in the different barrios because it can make our services easier and faster,” Loong emphasized. 

By Nonong Santiago

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ARMM holds qualifying exams for applicants

1. The qualifying examination for the higher position in the ARMM office is more or less intelligent decision to select the very qualified applicant. However, if this screening process is for formality sake only -- 'luto na', then it consider as wise monopoly.


The new administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has conducted qualifying examinations and subjectedapplicants who wanted to serve the new ARMM leadership under scrutiny of a screening committee.

Jo Henry of the Bureau of Public Information (BPI) said this procedure was in line with ARMM caretaker Mujiv Hataman’s policy of open government, transparency and equal opportunity.

ARMM Cabinet Assistant Secretary John Magno said the qualifying exam was for the positions of assistant secretary, undersecretary, bureau chiefs and administrators in the different departments and agencies of ARMM.

The said exam intends to provide fair and equal opportunities in the process of selecting members of the bureaucracy. Magno stressed that every applicant must pass through the selection process.

Magno added that all qualified and chosen applicants must commit to pursue the reform agenda of the new regional governor.

Some 163 applicants took the qualifying exam last Wednesday (Jan 18). 

According to some applicants, the procedure is a commendable step in providingapplicants a fair chance to compete for the position to serve the ARMM.
“Mawawala sa paraang ito yong tinatawag na political accommodation”, someapplicants said. 

The screening committee will come up with a shortlist of applicants who passed theexamination and will later be subjected to a panel interview before recommendations be submitted to the governor for his choice and decision.

BPI said the committee will reveal the result and the new officials selected in the coming weeks.

Last Tuesday (Jan 17) Hataman revealed the members of his Cabinet. The governor said that the new cabinet members were chosen considering territorial and ethnic representation but not at the expense of merit and fitness. He also added that the appointees also pledged commitment to the reform agenda of the present ARMM leadership.

By RVC-PIA9 ZBST

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ARMM education system faces overhaul

1. If Hataman sincere to his words then good job.
2. But if he reserve something "utang na loob" for the teachers then might be a political strategy to win the incoming election. Try to read the news.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) plans a general overhaul of the educational system to rid the systems of corruption and its many problems inherited in previous administration.

ARMM caretaker Mujiv Hataman met recently with education officials and representatives across the region and discussed measures to address various issues and concerns gripping the education sector in the region.

Information Chief Ali Macabalang disclosed that Hataman met last January 5 in this city with Field Officials and representatives of over 20,000 public school teachers across the autonomous region.

He tackled problems ranging from perceived faulty appointment system resulting in existence of alleged “ghost teachers,” frequent delay and slashing of workers’ salaries and benefits, to arbitrary assignments, including “floating” and other forms of arm-flexing by reigning political leaders.

Listening to the complaints of school officials and teachers, Hataman told them to “stop politicking” or playing partial roles during election, hinting that the problem arises when leaders belonging to camps not supported by teachers as players in voting, counting and canvassing processes got elected and retaliated by orchestrating details or reassignments of impartial school personnel.

“The best solution to cases of ‘floating’ is for all education officials and teachers to refrain from working for or siding with political parties or individuals in electoral exercises," Hataman said.

Hataman’s statement reflected a popular notion that for decades, most teachers in the region have been a “determining factor” in the choice of leaders in ARMM during elections.

In the meeting, Hataman reiterated his imposition starting next month of paying the salaries of teachers through the automated teller machines (ATM) in a bid to eradicate and overhaul the alleged existence of “ghost” teachers in the region.

He said ATM cards that serve as an alternative identification card of teachers cannot be tampered with easily and, thus, would help put a stop to the cases of alleged non-existent teachers.

Earlier, Hataman told media that he would punitively sanction any public schools officials moving to oppose the enforcement of ATM-based salary payment.

He said he would also impose such scheme in other ARMM agencies especially at their Regional Offices with the aid of a proposed use of biometric machines.

Hataman’s aggressive announcement gained approval among interviewing journalists, who had been receiving field complaints that some schools officials were either slashing their teachers’ salaries or working in cahoots with usurious loan lenders serving mentors.

Civil Service Commission officials led by Regional Director Ressureccion Pueyo joined Hataman at the Thursday meeting, sharing their insights on improving the system of selecting, appointing and promoting teachers and other personnel of the ARMM bureaucracy.

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