Maguindanao guv cited for good governance

COTABATO CITY - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Friday gave the provincial government of Maguindanao an award with a grand citation for good practices in addressing domestic security problems.

The awarding rite was one of the highlights of the ARMM’s observance of the Shariff Kabunsuan Day and the culmination of the  month-long celebration of the region’s 25th founding anniversary, which started last November 17.

The Kabunsuan Day marks the arrival in Central Mindanao in the 14th century of Sharif Mohammad Kabunsuan, a Malay-Arab preacher from Johore (now Malaysia), to spread Islam among local pagan communities.

The award was personally received by Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu from ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in the presence of regional officials and chiefs of various support offices under the regional government.

Hataman said the award is part of the One Local Government, One Good Governance Initiative (1LGU-1GGI) of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Functions and powers of the DILG were devolved to the ARMM 25 years ago based on the region’s charter, Republic Act 9054.

The national government’s 1LGU-1GGI program provides due recognition to "good governance practices" of local government units not only in the autonomous region, but LGUs in administrative regions as well.

Maguindanao was chosen as best in 1LGU-1GGI, from among other provinces in the autonomous region, for the exemplary performance of its provincial task force on reconciliation and unification.

The task force, operating under the ministerial control of Mangudadatu and comprised of Moro, Christian and lumad political, religious and sectoral leaders, managed to reconcile 37 family feuds involving influential Moro clans in the province in the past 24 months.

Hataman said that besides the award, the office of Mangudadatu will also receive a P500,000 monetary grant that can be spent for any project that can complement its good governance practices.

Mangudadatu said he is thankful to members of the task force for their continuing struggle to address local peace and security issues amicably, according to Islamic traditions.

“I’m happy and overwhelmed by this recognition. Thanks to the ARMM and its local government department for giving us full acknowledgement of our peace efforts,” Mangudadatu said.

Maguindanao is one of ARMM’s five component provinces, which include Lanao del Sur and the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.