Gov. Taliño-Mendoza calls to end armed conflict in Matalam, gives free medical treatment to sick evacuees

Amas, Kidapawan City - (North) Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Talino-Mendoza called for the cessation of hostilities in Matalam so that evacuees can go home to their respective residences.  This she declared in a multi-sectoral meeting on May 22, 2013 at the municipality of Matalam.

Governor Taliño-Mendoza said that it is very important that the evacuees especially the children and the elderly are attended to immediately - their survival needs and health conditions properly addressed.  

The governor is also concerned because the school opening is fast approaching and the classrooms which are used as evacuation centers should now be prepared for the incoming school year.

She appealed to the Muslim elders and leaders to help in resolving the conflict between the two rebel groups.

The armed conflict which started on May 5 ensued when a troop from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wore their uniform and brought firearms to barangay Marbel where they were permitted by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) through Sebangan Kutawato State Revolutionary Committee Regional Chairman Datu Dima Ambil to hold a promotional campaign for the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (BFA) in the same barangay provided their troops will not wear their uniform and will not bring their firearms.

In the same multi-sectoral meeting, Matalam Chief of Police PSI Elias N. Dandan mentioned the same agreement between the MNLF and the MILF.

General Ademar Tomaro, commander of the 602nd Brigade of the Philippine Army confirmed also their receipt of a copy of the said agreement. “My men are only present to secure the area and protect the civilians, we never engage in this war,” he said.

According to Matalam Mayor Oscar M. Valdevieso, based on the report from their Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, there are approximately 6,880 individuals from Marbel, and the adjoining barangays of Kilada and Ilian that are affected by the said armed conflict.

Datu Jimmy Matalam and Datu Nurudin Matalam members of the Matalam clan, a highly respected Muslim clan in the province and from whom the municipality is named after, volunteered to confer with the leaders of the MILF and the MNLF and help resolve the problem.

Several Muslim leaders also suggested that firearms must first be removed from both parties before a dialogue is held.

Meanwhile, the military and the police will continue to conduct checkpoints and strictly implement the gun ban.

An action plan for peace negotiation is expected to be drafted after identifying the root cause of the armed conflict in Marbel, Matalam.

Sick evacuees given free medication

After the meeting on that same day, Governor Taliño-Mendoza visited some of the evacuation centers to personally check on the situation of the evacuees. On her instructions, the sick evacuees were brought immediately to the provincial hospital for free medication.

A medical mission and feeding program were also conducted at the evacuation centers. 

Phil-Thai partnership for the 1st oil palm crushing mill in NCot

Philippines and Thailand partnered for the first time in constructing the $10 Million Oil Palm Crushing Mill at Carmen, (North) Cotabato on April 22, 2013. 

The mill is named “Univanich Carmen Palm Oil Corporation”, after Univanich Palm Oil Public Company Limited based in Thailand.

Carmen Mayor Roger T. Taliño who led the groundbreaking, announced during the program, that the construction which has already started is scheduled to be finished by second quarter of 2014.

In his message, he also announced that the plant will not only improve the economic stability of Carmen, but will strengthen the employment opportunity within the province, especially the residents from nearby municipalities like Kabacan, Matalam, and Pikit.

Univanich Thailand Chairman Apirag Vanich who graced the occasion with his wife Charntip Vanich expressed his excitement for their expansion in the ASEAN market. “We are confident that our company which has helped many rural communities in Thailand will be able to do so also here in Southern Philippines,” he said.

(North) Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza who was also present during the inauguration thanked Univanich Thailand for trusting (North) Cotabato in locating their investment in Carmen saying that “this is a dream come true for my father.”  

She is hopeful that the operation of the oil palm crushing mill will boost the employment status in the province.

Univanich Thailand will also help in securing good quality oil palm tissue cultures.

Majority of the processed product from the facility will go to their existing clients in the ASEAN and European markets.

1,626 pupils in Kabacan attend Summer Kids Peace Camp

1,626 Grade 5 pupils from various school districts in the Municipality of Kabacan participated in the three-day camping activity at Kabacan Pilot Elementary School last April 16-19, 2013. 

The 3rd Gov. Lala Summer Kids Peace camp is an annual school activity dedicated to Grade 5 elementary pupils during summer season in the province. It is a program of (North) Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza to promote a culture of peace among the children belonging to the tri-people (Christians, Muslims and Indigenous People) residents of the province of (North) Cotabato.

In the opening program, the “yukilili” troop played instrumental songs from country’s top Original Pinoy Music. Cultural dances were also performed to recall Filipino traditional dances.

For Governor Talino-Mendoza, peace can be achieved by effective communication and cooperation. She said it is of great achievement to see three tribes mingle and share their talents and skills together. “Before, there are lots of discriminations happening between Muslims, Lumads, and Christians. The provincial government believes that through this peace initiative, everybody will realize that each one must be treated equally,” she stressed.

She added that it’s time to love each other for the betterment of the province, to talk about peace and not war. With the presence of the local officials of Kabacan, she emphasized that a good partnership among local leaders leads to good governance.

Mayor George B. Tan who is also a Muslim leader expressed his appreciation of the message of the Governor. He said everyone has equal rights depending on how to use these rights.  He encouraged the participants to speak up, explore, and listen to one another, for in the future, they will also become leaders.

The participants are expected to learn basic life skills, develop their confidence, and enjoy recreational activities like fun games. These are designed to help them prepare for their next step as they move to Grade 6 in the next school year.

The 3rd Gov. Lala Summer Kids Peace Camp in Kabacan was co-facilitated by the Provincial Budget Office and the Department of Education.

PGCot gives solar driers, MPBs to Midsayap

To help boost its agricultural potential,  the Provincial Government of (North) Cotabato gave the municipality of Midsayap, two solar driers and three multi-purpose buildings (mpb) last April 10, 2013.

Barangay Nes and Bulanan received one solar drier each, while Sitio Bobonao in Agriculture, Poblacion 4, and Poblacion 5 each received one unit multi-purpose building amounting to a total of P2.8 Million.

The said infrastructure projects are expected to improve the agriculture program of the barangays as these will help small to medium scale farmers become major producers of rice and corn not only in their respective localities but throughout the province as well.
 
Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza who was joined by some members of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan under the First Congressional District of Cotabato Province as well as the local officials of Midsayap called on both Christians and Muslims especially in barangay Nes for unity in cooperation to combat poverty in their community.
 
Midsayap Mayor Manuel M. Rabara thanked Governor Taliño-Mendoza for the many projects given to their municipality such as covered courts, road concreting, asphalting, water systems, multi-purpose buildings, health stations, birthing facilities, scholarship grants and health assistance.

All the barangay chairmen also thanked the governor for the projects given to their barangay and urged the residents to continue their support and put their trust in the present administration.

The solar driers also included basketball courts and a mini stage which can be used for activities in the barangay.

Cotprov lgus celebrate International Women’s Month

All 18 local government units (lgus) in Cotabato province joined the celebration of the International Women’s Month which featured interesting activities and lectures in the whole month of March. 

An estimate of 17,000 women from the municipalities of Banisilan, Alamada, Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Pikit, Carmen, Kabacan, Matalam, M’lang, Tulunan, Arakan, President Roxas, Antipas, Magpet, Makilala, and Kidapawan City participated in the said women’s gathering in their respective places.

The celebration, dubbed “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan”, is in consonance with President Benigno S. C. Aquino’s governance advocacy of ‘tuwid na daan’ (straight path). It also recognizes women’s leadership quality and contribution in governance, peace building, and conflict resolutions.

Women’s month celebration is conducted annually to promote gender equality as it appreciates the importance of organizations and institutions that support women.  

Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza in her message at the municipality of Pikit declared that “this year, discrimination and violence against women and girls have no place in our province”. She stressed that the provincial government is serious in protecting women’s rights with the help of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Philippine National Police.

Worldwide, more than 1,000 events ranging from small informal gatherings to huge highly organized activities related to the women’s month celebration are being uploaded in the International Women’s Month portal.

P1M worth of projects distributed in Libungan

The Provincial Government of Cotabato through Governor Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza and some provincial and local officials handed out P1Million worth of solar driers with basketball court and mini stage during the turn-over ceremony at Libungan, Cotabato last April 12, 2013.

Around 600 residents of Sitio Abacanhan in Barangay Cabaruyan and Barangay Sinapangan, the two recipient barangays in Libungan witnessed the turn over ceremony.  They were thankful to the governor for the said projects.

Governor Taliño-Mendoza in her message during the turn over program said that the “solar drier is a symbol of our being an agricultural province and that we should all support our agriculture development program.”
She added that the basketball court is provided so that children and youth will be encouraged to engage in sports activities and that they are kept away from drugs and other forms of vices.

The governor also announced the different programs being offered by the provincial government like Philhealth sa Masa, scholarship, livelihood, Magtutudlo sa Barangay and rice and corn seeds distribution for Cotabateños.
 
Just recently, 250 rice harvesters and farmers from Libungan were given free scythe (garab).

The province of  (North) Cotabato is now the number one producer of rice in Region XII.
Libungan Mayor Manuel T. Dela Serna in his message advised the residents of the recipient barangays to take good care of the projects for it is seldom that they are given such projects.