COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) transitional regime has achieved at least 90 percent of its envisioned services and reforms in administration and operational systems, a regional executive averred this week.

ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo said that since its assumption of office on Dec. 14, 2009, the administration of ARMM acting Gov. Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong has been to uphold transparency in service delivery and operations, and strengthen the regional bureaucracy.

Immediately, Sinarimbo said, they embarked abating the stigma spawned by the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre and assisted government armed forces in preventing the incident from evolving into more violence. (Ali Macabalang)

School rebuilders

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – Instead of wielding M16 Armalite rifles and other high-powered automatic weapons, soldiers in Lanao del Norte now hold paint brushes, brooms, and hammers as they take on their new role as rebuilders of schools and developers of tourist destinations.

Dubbed “Operation Bayanihan,” soldiers belonging to the 35th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Camp Allere, Salvador, Lanao del Norte have been making the rounds of local schools to lend a helping hand to the Department of Education (DepED). They had been providing manpower assistance to public schools and instrumental in improving school buildings and facilities. (Mike Crismundo)

Road projects

SURIGAO CITY – Joining side-by-side with the provincial government’s goal for economic development in Surigao del Norte, the 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here started ground works for the R181,767,000 road rehabilitation projects in various areas of the Caraga Region.

The 1st DEO had accelerated the provision of safe, efficient, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure province province-wide to realize the agency’s vision of “Inclusive Growth.” (Mike Crismundo)

Internet monitor

KIDAPAWAN CITY – The opening of Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites has been strictly prohibited during office hours at the state-run University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato. USM president Dr. Jesus Derije has issued the order days after he caught several employees inside some of the offices at the university opening Facebook and other sites even during office hours.

While some were also caught playing online games, he said. Derije has also directed the head of the Information Communication Technology Center of the university to check the opening of the sites as most of the times this affects the speed of their local area network connection. (Malu Cadelina Manar)

More personnel

COTABATO CITY – The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) has passed a resolution asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) through its regional office in Central Mindanao to augment the “disturbingly insufficient” cops serving this kidnap threats-laden city.

The resolution was adopted at the Council Meeting presided here on Wednesday by City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. and attended by officials of member-entities including police and Marine forces. “Despite this situation, local authorities are still on alert for possible crimes like shooting and kidnapping. But unfortunately, the local police force is not enough to keep a close watch most parts of the city,” City Hall Information Officer Halima Satol said. (Ali Macabalang)