This was emphasized yesterday by OMA Executive Director Ali B. Sangki after giving the keynote address at the last day of the three-day 2008 Program and Performance Review and Analysis (PPRA) of the agency held from March 24-26 at Robbinsdale Hotel, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

OMA Director for External Relations Datu Tahir Sinsuat Lidasan said all of 13 OMA regional directors and division chiefs attended the PPRA. Among the directors in attendance were Cabinbanan Mamukid of Region 1, Kadatuan Indaila of Region 12-A, Mahabsar Lucman of Region 12-B, Yushph Dianalan of Caraga, Laman Piang of Admin. Service, Galay Makalinggan of FMS, Dalomilang Parahiman of Legal Service, and Ms. Zenaida Santiago of PPS.

To service as many Muslims as possible, Sangki said OMA will institute reforms such as strengthening linkages with foreign Islamic institutions and making the agency attuned with the latest development in computer technology.

Sangki recently led the activation of OMA website which connects the office with other government agencies.

OMA’s enhanced services were credited for the big increase in the number of Muslim Filipinos who participated in the recently concluded pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the second biggest in the history of OMA.

Lidasan said it is under this atmosphere of public service that OMA is set to hold the National Qur’an Reading Competition and the 2008 Halal Summit in an effort to project Muslim issues to national limelight.

"OMA will be the lead agency in advancing the interest of Muslim communities and in implementing President Arroyo’s programs for the Muslims," Sangki said.

Lauding President Arroyo for appointing him as OMA Executive Director, Sangki thanked those who attended the PPRA, saying it came at a time when the government bureaucracy, as an institution, is on trial or under attack by those who wish to destroy it.

"But whether or not the bureaucracy is under attack, we, at OMA, have our own self-imposed tasks, and that is to improve public service to our avowed clientele. And this three-day activity is a vital step towards accomplishing our tasks," Sangki said.

Sangki said what is important now is to take stock of past agency experience, learn their lessons and chart direction or roadmap which OMA must pursue.

"Let me close by reiterating my sincere thanks for all your support and by appealing to each and everyone to continue hoping, continue striving to do our best. We know that as long as we are united towards achieving our service to our clientele, if we work hard at it, acknowledging and accepting our own limitations and shortcomings, we can all hit our targets and achieve our agency goals," Sangki said.