THE INQUIRER is coming out today with the fourth of its series on people’s pressing concerns that should be high on the agenda of candidates for representative, governor or mayor in the May 9 elections. The series should help voters in the provinces choose their leaders wisely. In line with our “ThINQ. Vote.” advocacy, we have asked candidates in certain provinces, cities and congressional districts to outline their concrete plans of action in dealing with specific issues in their areas.
Interviews by Julie Alipala
PROFILE: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
THE AUTONOMOUS Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was preceded by similar structures aimed at appeasing the Moro rebellion, starting from the Office of the Regional Commissions (ORC) of Regions 10, 11 and 12, which were established on orders of President Ferdinand Marcos on July 7, 1975.
After the signing of the Tripoli Agreement on Dec. 23, 1976, Marcos again ordered the creation of interim regional governments in the ORC areas. During the April 1977 referendum, only the provinces under Regions 9 and 12 voted for autonomy, which resulted in the establishment of two separate ORCs in these regions.
On Sept. 20, 1979, Marcos abolished the two ORCs and replaced them with two Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook (LTP).
Ulbert Ulama Tugung was appointed chair of LTP Region 9, while Simeon Datumanong served as chair of LTP Region 12. The two LTPs had legislative bodies.
When Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency after the 1986 People Power Revolution, the ARMM, with the provinces of Lanao del Sur (except Marawi City), Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, was established. In a subsequent plebiscite held, Basilan became the fifth province to form part of the ARMM.
Land Area: 3,351,142 hectares
Registered voters: 1,882,338 (2010)
Population: 3,256,140 (as of May 1, 2010)
Political Territory: 116 municipalities, two cities and 2,490 barangays
SOURCES: Websites of ARMM and the Philippine Statistics Authority
Peace and order
Kidnappings, perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf, continue in Basilan and Sulu provinces. As of this month, a total of 24 victims, both locals and foreigners, remain in the hands of their captors. Other armed groups, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its breakaway, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, operate in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces.
Mujiv Hataman
Mujiv Hataman, Liberal Party
- Invite more investors who will provide jobs. People with jobs will not engage in criminality.
- Public and private partnership. Companies should aggressively and bravely invest despite the serious security concerns.
Abdusakur Tan
Abdusakur Tan, Liberal Party
- Reach out to different political leaders and armed groups.
- Fight terrorism by fighting poverty. Address incidence of poverty in order to address peace and order situation.
Poverty
The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) listed Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao as two of the country’s 10 poorest provinces. Lanao del Sur was ranked first, while Maguindanao was fourth.
Mujiv Hataman, Liberal Party
- Household approach of the “Apat Dapat”—Pabahay, Pagkain, Patubig, Pailaw (housing, food, water and electricity).
- Target the poorest of the poor in 15 municipalities, or three towns in each province.
- Rural Economy and Development (RED). Bring in more investments to create more jobs.
- Make ARMM lands productive. More farm tractors. Give farmers equipment and farm implements.
- Organize farmers into cooperatives or organizations.
Abdusakur Tan, Liberal Party
- Provide affordable education to bring down poverty incidence.
Education
War and poverty have pushed children in the ARMM away from schools. When fighting breaks out, residents are displaced, making it difficult for children to continue attending classes. Poor families would rather have their children work instead of sending them to school. The problem is worsened by issues of “ghost teachers” and “ghost school buildings.”
Mujiv Hataman, Liberal Party
- Address poverty through rural economy and development so families can send children to school.
- Address malnutrition problem to ensure children learn in schools.
Abdusakur Tan, Liberal Party
- More state universities and colleges.
- Offer scholarships to students interested in pursuing agriculture and fishery courses.
- Make it a right of every citizen in the ARMM to have good and affordable education.
(Editor’s Note: The two other independent candidates for governor, Faizal Mangondato and Kharis Pamaloy, refused to be interviewed.)