ARMM gov't denies neglecting constituents

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The administration of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman vehemently dismissed reports of neglect of government services and absence of equity in many parts of the Muslim region, an official said. 

The ARMM leadership converged all its Cabinet members coming from all provinces with their respective focal persons to bring down all the regional efforts from provincial to municipal level. 

“This is to address the impression of neglect despite of the big investment that the new ARMM leadership have infused and implemented to bring the needed development and services for the people who have been neglected by past administrations,” ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said.

Alamia said the regular convergence of the Cabinet members and her respective assistant executive secretaries representing each province under ARMM who are acting as focal persons, will help efforts and development programs implemented by the respective Cabinet bureaus. 

She said in this manner all programs and developments that were being implemented on the ground will not be only confined to a certain ARMM agencies and will be felt by the people on the ground and ease out information gap.

Alamia said the Hataman administration generated P1.2 billion pesos in savings because of the reforms it imposed in 2013 when he officially sat as the governor.

The regional government embarked on strict bidding process like the road projects by implementing the permanent road concreting projects instead of the re-graveling programs, she said. 

Alamia said the casting out of ghost teachers and pupils and the use of bio-metrics also helped the Muslim region to increase education projects in the different provinces.

The ARMM Executive Secretary said, with the reforms in place, they are expecting to increase the investment in 2014 by P1.4 billion and generate more job for the people to help alleviate poverty.

Alamia said they will be tracking down presence of the local government units on their respective towns to ensure government services are felt by the people and implement intensive livelihood programs.

She said the program is part of the rapid infrastructure platforms with a P5-billion budget for roads and other infrastructure projects.

At least 50 model barangays will also be selected and will be infused with P10-million each for construction of barangay halls, day care and health centers and police action centers. 

“This is the target of the Hataman administration- to have a reformed ARMM that will be turned over to Bangsamoro political entity that is expected to replace the ARMM when comprehensive peace agreement will be signed between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” Alamia added.