Akbar’s daughter to head ARMM social welfare department

COTABATO CITY — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan has picked a young, influential leader in Tawi-Tawi as his social welfare secretary, the latest to be enlisted into his "solidarity Cabinet."

Still in her 30s, Ruby Sahali, daughter of Tawi-Tawi Gov. Wahab Akbar, will report on Monday to the ARMM’s Department of Social Welfare and Development in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Sahali was a three-term member of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA).

Sahali’s younger sister, Rejie, mayor of their hometown, Pang—lima Sugala, for three consecutive terms, was elected to the 24-seat Regional Legislative Assembly during the Aug. 8 regional elections.

Ampatuan said he is certain that Sahali can efficiently manage the department, which has various humanitarian projects for impoverished communities in the region.

The ARMM covers Marawi City, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in Central Mindanao, and the island-provinces Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan.

During her first 100 days in office, Sahali said she would put mechanisms in place to hasten the delivery of social welfare services to the region’s remotest towns.