Monday, February 13, 2012


Hataman meets Basilan LGU, AFP, PNP officials
for peace & development multi-sectoral forum

ARMM OIC Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman is escorted by Col. Ricardo Visaya, Joint Task Force-Basilan commander, during the arrival ceremony at the 104th Brigade Headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province before the Peace and Development Multi-Sectoral Forum on Saturday, February 11, 2012.
ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman shakes hand with the local police officials of Basilan headed by PNP Provincial Director of Basilan Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses at the Peace and Development Multi-Sectoral Forum
ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman presides the Peace and Development Multi-Sectoral Forum held at Headquarters of Joint Task Force Basilan, Camp Luis R. Biel II, Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City in Basilan Province on Saturday, February 11, 2012. With him are Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Western Mindanao Command Chief Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, DIPO Commander for Western Mindanao Director Felicisimo Khu Jr., Joint Task Force-Basilan Commander Col. Ricardo Visaya, Police Regional Office 9 Regional Director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles and Police Provincial Director of Basilan Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses. All sides vow to further cooperation and strengthen unity for the peace and development in Basilan.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman met on Saturday with local government leaders of Basilan, Western Mindanao-based top military and police officials in Isabela City for peace and development multi-sectoral forum.

The ARMM OIC Governor discussed to Gov. Jum Akbar, Vice Gov. Alrasheed Sakkalahul, mayors, police and military officials the implementation and importance of reform thrusts for the ARMM bureaucracy, intended for Basilan's socio economic development, good governance, and improving peace and security.

Responding to the presentation of so-called "Comprehensive Development Plan - Executive & Legislative Agenda" by the Provincial Government of Basilan, Hataman stressed to local government leaders the convergence of effort and funding for development as the key to achieving the 3-year plan.

"We must have convergence to put the projects and programs in the proper perspective," Hataman said. "We won't allow anymore projects that have no significant impact in the community."

In terms of peace and security, the ARMM OIC Governor agreed with applying the tactics in counterinsurgency where 80 percent political and only 20 percent military.

"This is true. In our peace and security frame, our concept is human security where the big factor is the local government units," Hataman said.

In fact, he said they had discussions with President Benigno Aquino III and Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio Abad regarding the suspension of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the local government unit in ARMM if it will not properly function.

According to Hataman, he and ARMM's Police Regional Office under Director, Police Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, had organized "Task Force Monitoring" for Lanao and other areas in the autonomous region.

"We have a lot of funding in ARMM but the problem really is the improper and poor implementation of projects where the funds are wasted," said Hataman.

As this developed, Hataman pledged to give strategic basic infrastructures to the mayors who are serving in remote towns in Basilan and who do not have the benefit of Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) provided they will hold office regularly in their respective municipal seat of government.

"We will establish the quality. We will give you municipal hall, public market, water system, your basic needs, and other basic infrastructures but we have to agree where to put up you government center and not to politicize this...let's think of the future of our place," Hataman said.

Stressing his aim for good governance, the ARMM OIC Governor said he wanted that before his term ends all the local government units will properly function. "You should regularly hold office or else you will be punished, although there is a transitional period to be considered."

Hataman ended with an appeal: "I live here (Basilan) I studied here I want to develop our place I want Basilan to become model in the future and I want all local government units here functional. It's our responsibility that we should bring peace and development into our province. All of the people of Basilan should take part."

Saturday's peace and development multi-sectoral forum saw the presence of Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Western Mindanao Command Chief Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, DIPO Commander for Western Mindanao Director Felicisimo Khu Jr., Joint Task Force-Basilan Commander Col. Ricardo Visaya, Police Regional Office 9 Regional Director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles and Police Provincial Director of Basilan Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses. All sides vowed to further, enhance cooperation and strengthen unity for the peace and development in Basilan. -- Hader Glang





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