By Jun Enriquez Linamon, Lanao del Norte - Mayor Randy Macapil of Linamon initiated reformatory program for drug dependents already surrendered to authorities. He said local government of Linamon had difficulties in the budget to establish rehabilitation center. Macapil said reformatory program is the alternative in the absence of rehabilitation center to cut the chain of Illegal drug supply in the area. Reformatory is an awareness program such as conducting exercises, lectures and testimonies, skills trainings among others. Macapil said "today (July 30, 2016) is the second time of having this reformatory activity along with our drug dependents constituents." He said there are 400 surrendered drug dependents in Linamon as to this date. Glen Delusa, a former drug dependent for 14 years was first try and taste illegal drug called “shabu” for curiosity sake during his youger days. He went to the process of drug rehabilitation twice but after then he goes back again and again to drug addiction. Delusa said drug rehabilitation is not a guarantee of a person not to go back to drug addiction. He was one of the listed individuals and surrendered voluntarily to give time to reform himself as his personal commitment. Delusa said private rehabilitation will cost PhP20,000.00 per month. Others at lower cost at PhP15,000 monthly and government rehabilitation will cost PhP8,000 per month Delusa said drug addiction was understood as “use to live and live to use” illegal drugs. He said he did not expect to become drug addict. He only detected himself he was already addicted because he will find ways just to use drugs. Delusa said in drug addiction there is a belief of reward system. The addictive person will increase its desire as much as 60 percent and thinking of themselves that they already at the top of the world. Delusa said that the presence of video “karera” games will aggravate the situation of the addictive person become more severe in nature that the desire should always be happy. Delusa said the medical term of drug addiction is called “substance use disorder” (SUD). He preferred not to use the word rehabilitation because a person is believed to be severely in a state of disorder and will be subjected to public humiliation. He said better to use the word reformatory because it is more socially acceptable. Drug addiction is a kind of incurable disease called “chronic relapsing brain disease” if repeatedly acquired the use of illegal drugs by a person and not medically treated. Delusa said the government should help the drug dependents to have a prevention program a continuum of care for drug dependents. Delusa said continued denial of a drug dependent person including the family members will prolong the suffering of drug addiction. He said this usually happened to evade public humiliation. Mayor Macapil said that the reformatory program will continue to give importance and care to the surrendered drug dependent personalities to go back to normal lives. He said the “tok-hang” (toktok hangyo) activities will also continue to ask those persons in the list of drug dependents to surrender, led by the local officials of Linamon together with the Police personnel, Barangay officials, military and the community. Macapil said cooperation is the most important to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs to save the future of the people especially the future of the children to bring back human dignity. Macapil said the reformatory program is in support to the program of President Duterte in fighting illegal drugs. Photo courtesy from FB of Mayor Randy J. Macapil.
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Press Release Manila (ICRC) – Armed fighting between government security forces and non-state armed groups since the first week of July has caused the displacement of around 3,400 families in Basilan Province, southern Philippines. The affected families in Tipo-Tipo, Al-Barka and Ungkaya Pukan municipalities have sought refuge with their relatives after shelling and air strikes occurred on an almost daily basis over the past three weeks. Casualties and injured fighters were reported on both sides, while a few civilians were also wounded as a consequence of the clashes.
“The security situation in Basilan is precarious. We are concerned for the civilians as we expect clashes to continue in the coming weeks,” said Yann Fridez, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sub-delegation in Mindanao. “We urge all parties to the fighting to exercise utmost precaution to minimize the impact or damage to civilian communities. We also ask them to spare civilian structures such as hospitals, schools and houses, and facilities that are essential for their daily lives,” he stressed. To complement the assistance provided by the authorities, the ICRC, with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), distributed essential household items to more than 17,000 displaced people in the three municipalities. The items distributed by the PRC Basilan chapter on July 27-28 included hygiene kits, blankets, towels, jerry cans, mosquito nets and sleeping mats. The ICRC also distributed dressing kits and medical supplies including drugs and anti-tetanus vaccines to enhance the capacity of rural health units in these three municipalities to treat sick and wounded people. Already in April, the ICRC and the Department of Health-Health Emergency Management Bureau had conducted Basic Life Support training for 168 health staff in Basilan and Sulu provinces. The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has had a presence in the Philippines for more than 70 years and a permanent presence in Mindanao since 1982. By Jac Macatimbol ILIGAN CITY – Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) invited CSOs and NGOs from Lanao, Marawi and Iligan City in an orientation on the TJRC Report which was launched last March 2016. The Commission was created by virtue of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Annex on Normalization with the mandate to undertake a study and to make recommendations in view of promoting healing and reconciliation of the different communities that have been affected by the conflict. The study was looking at the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, historical injustices, human rights violations, and unjust dispossession of territorial and proprietary rights, customary land tenure or marginalization.
The orientation was held at Elena Tower Inn, Tibanga, Iligan City on July 23, 2016 with Atty. Raissa Jajurie, Program Consultant of TJRC gave the orientation. She briefly presented the recommendations formulated from the result of 210 series of Listening Process sessions conducted all over the Bangsamoro and contiguous areas. The study groups had presence of experts and key informant interviews using the “Dealing with the Past” framework. Atty. Jajurie said that the TJRC will exist until the exit agreement is signed between the GPH and the MILF , but it will happen only if and when the parties with the help of the third Party Monitoring team (TPMT), are convinced that both of them have substantially complied with their obligations under the peace agreements. The TJRC's main function is to study the need for transitional justice and to submit recommendations, and this mandate has already been carried out. TJRC is reaching out to stakeholders by orienting them on the TJRC Report and recommendations, so that they can be guided as to what are the action points they can take up, given their respective mandates and competencies. Atty. Jajurie also a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), said that her status and the rest of the members are co-terminus with President Benigno Aquino III, who appointed them, whose term ended last June 30, and members of the BTC also ended on the same date. However, President Duterte has issued a memorandum circular saying that those who had been occupying co-terminus positions will be extended up to July 31, 2016. The TJRC offers to help Non-government Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society organizations (CSOs) who will take-on and incorporate these issues and recommendations within the organizations’ specific mandate, skills, expertise and agenda. Since the commission is not mandated to implement project and programs but only to conduct the study and come-up with a set of recommendations. TJRC has been conducting orientations to lobby the ideas and its dedications to service providers and stakeholders to continue where the TJRC has left off. There were 90 recommendations submitted to the peace panels, first and foremost, it recommends the creation of an independent National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission on the Bangsamoro (NTJRCB), which is mandated to investigate serious violation of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law towards victims of conflict. “During the time of President Aquino, there was a discussion and plan to issue an Executive Order or law for the creation of NTJRCB”, said Atty. Jajurie. “In the present time, there are still existing historical injustices, how are we going to solve this?” Asked Musa Sanguila, Executive Director of Pakigdait. He further pointed out what was done with the considered historical spot [the camp of Sabir sa Radapan] which was affected because of the bridge & road construction. Another example is the issue on the 24 hectares in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte which costs hundreds of lives. Prof. Rudy Rodil became emotional when he shared his experiences from being a University Professor and becoming a historian because of his journey and experiences in the Bangsamoro areas. He said “the book is good but it needs better to understand what is written in the book”, meaning best if written in local dialect. Rodil added that in his journey he learned the history in local dialect to effectively inform the people about the result of the study, especially the recommendations. It must be transformed into a document that the people can understand and find someone with a heart for them to do it. Prof. Rodil was also sharing that all conflicts in Mindanao had been characterized by the language differences. Conflict arises were fought between people having no full understanding of each other. Prof. Rodil said that history and feelings of the people carried with them. Jayshree Boot, German Development Cooperation (GIZ) Peace Advisor said that if there will be a national TJRC board then it should also have a language component in one of its pillars, example, one of its sub-commissions to be about language and the TJRC will be having 4 sub-commissions: one on historical memory; one against impunity, etc.; one on land dispossession and one on healing and reconciliation. Ms. Boot suggested if it would be possible to lobby for one on language because everytime, non-english speakers lag behind in knowing about these things and CSOs always try to bridge the gap for them. She said emotional history is important aspect to be acknowledged as well as the chronological historical facts. It’s the emotion that gets passed down through history. Ms. Violeta Gloria, coordinator of the Lanao Peace Partnership (LPP), in cooperation with the German Development Cooperation, Civil Peace Service (GIZ-CPS), shared its accomplishments in conducting activities with regard to TJR. She expressed to share with TJRC the consolidated findings of LPP. With reports by Jun Enriquez By Teri Dalman, Intern for Media & Communication, MSU Marawi City Manila - President Rodrigo Duterte has successfully delivered his first State of the Nation Address last July 25, 2016 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The president’s speech ran at round 1 hour and 30 minutes long thus highlighted the different issues occurring on the environment, climate change, traffic and transportation, peace talks, the territorial dispute and its relentless fight on drugs and war.
By Jac Macatimbol ILIGAN CITY – In the 2nd flag raising ceremony of the new administration, July 18, 2016, majority of the department heads and city officials as well as the employees were present. Highlights of the messages were the news and updates of the department heads in their first week of public service in the new administration. City Councilor Jake Balanay gave updates on Solid Waste Management. Accordingly, together with Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, they visited Cebu City to check the acquisition of dump Trucks for garbage collection. There will be 2 dump trucks will arrive this month and the rest will be next month of August. Balanay said that this effort will resolve problems on waste/garbage around the City. On the other hand Councilor Hon. Ian Uy head of the Committee on Police, Peace and Order and Disaster Risk Reduction Management said, “Ang programa sa atong Pres. Duterte aligned pud sa kagustohan sa atong halangdon Mayor Celso Gomera Regencia na mahitabo diri sa atong syudad, ilang gitutokan ang pagbatok sa druga/ illegal drugs.” He further elaborated that the supplemental budget worth 10 Million for acquisition of additional Police Patrol Cars was approved. He proposed an additional force for PNP to do their regular patrols and ensure the security and safety of the people of Iligan City. Concerning on illegal drugs, Uy said from July 1 to 14, there are 3,148 individuals surrendered as a result of the campaign “OPLAN TOK-TOK HANGYO”, 47 of which have admitted drug pushers. Uy said that drug rehabilitation centers are offered to help accommodate those who desire to undergo rehabilitation. Furthermore, an armed group, Gorilla Front 68, from Bukidnon entered Rogongon premises and fortunately the Philippine Military in cooperation with the Philippine National Police were able to fend off the area from the armed group back to their tracks. “Naa silay threat sa atong syudad, atong paningkamotan nga dili gyud sila makahimo ug kadaut”, said Councilor Uy.
Councilor Hon. Sorille Bacsarpa, head of Committee on Tourism did ocular visit and inspection of areas and historical spots around the City to assess and identify what needs to be done and improve. This week they will be visiting Tinago Falls for the planned improvements which will accordingly need a big budget but “we will work based on the available resources”, said Councilor Bacsarpa. City Councilor Randy Francis Ong, Chair Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (CICT) cited the importance to have this committee wherein the former Pres. Aquino filed the bill creating the Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) and Councilor Ong sees it fitting to have an ICT committee here in Iligan city council. Most importantly there has been initial talk with DICT and Atty. Sumaoy regarding the computerize system of service delivery and salary on all departments to avoid clatter delivery of services. Initial talk with City Hospital Doctors and Staff regarding computerization of the whole system to avoid or minimize corruption. Lastly improvement of CCT Cameras around the City, to upgrade or purchase new one which is a very good help to peace and order, and disaster prevention. Committee on Traffic and Transportation headed by Councilor Hon. Eric Capitan, it is a new committee detached from the Peace and Order Committee. This was done to give attention on traffic problem and encourage traffic enforces to strictly implemented and observe traffic laws in the street of Iligan. Councilor Capitan said, “dili excuse na kulang ta og tawo, maskin isa lang ka traffic enforcer basta gamita lang ang ball pen og citation ticket mahadlok na kana”. He stressed that the people must be educated on the proper traffic rules because it might lead into chaos especially on the coming fiesta. City Administrator Atty. Dexter Rey Sumaoy expressed his gratitude and highlighted the big contribution of the department heads for their accomplished task. “Ang City Administration office sa pagkakaron medyo nakuhaon na gyud og tunok, pinaagi sa mga committee chairman naa nay moala-lay sa City Administration's office, karon makita na gayud nato ang kausaban.” Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, on his message said, “We are here to serve our people, the people of Iligan. To make our public service efficient, it should be quality, fast and done with tender love and care”. Vera Cruz emphasized that public service should be motivated and done out of love, not just to earn money. Representing the City Mayor’s Office, Chief of Staff Atty. Rafael Benidectos, Jr. in his message reminded that he will be delivering information for all in behalf of the City Mayor Celso Regencia. He elaborated that there is an obligated amount to pay employees under Job Orders to be given attention. |
AuthorA news blog started by CSO-FP Managing Director, Mr. Jun Enriquez to keep the people of Lanao, Mindanao and the Philippines updated on current local issues especially the peace and order situation in conflict affected areas. Archives
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