NORTH COTABATO - Peace talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been sidelined by the recent national and local elections. A story published on the newkerala.com reports about struggle of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Mindanao.
Since the age of 15 Muslim rebel Datumanong Lumanggal has fought countless battles against government troops in the southern Philippines to defend his peoples' rights and identity.
Through the years, Lumanggal said he saw numerous friends and relatives killed in clashes with soldiers on the hills of Carmen town in North Cotabato province, 960 km south of Manila.
Now, the 54-year-old father of three grown-up children is waging a different kind of battle aimed at uplifting the lives of men who fought with him as commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which used to be the largest Muslim separatist rebel group in the southern Philippines.
Lumanggal and his wife are leading a group of close to 300 MNLF fighters turn the battlefields of Carmen into a bountiful field of mango, banana and corn plantations in the village of Kitulaan.
"We lost money in our first mango harvest but our bananas and corn are doing well," Lumanggal said.
"But through the help of GEM (Growth with Equity in Mindanao) technicians, we hope to improve our mango harvest and make a profit during the next fruiting season," he added.
Lumanggal and his men are among 28,000 of an estimated 70,000 MNLF combatants who have received financial and technical support from the US-funded GEM programme aimed at helping them reintegrate into the mainstream of society.
The GEM programme was started after the MNLF signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government in September 1996, raising hopes of development in the southern region of Mindanao, where decades of strife has hampered economic and social growth.
Aside from livelihood projects, the GEM programme also built basic infrastructure as farm-to-market roads and bridges in communities, affected by the conflict in Mindanao.
While Lumanggal said he was thankful for the assistance from GEM, he was worried of the larger number of MNLF fighters who have yet to reap the benefits of the 1996 peace pact.
"The help is not enough," he said. "A lot of MNLF fighters are still waiting for help. Some of them are getting desperate. I hope their plight could be addressed soon or else trouble might start again."
In the mountains in nearby Shariff Kabunsuan province, more than 200 MNLF fighters gathered in a show of force to a group of journalists.
Commander Magid Bantu said his group of more than 1,000 fighters continues regular military training, but was not engaged in recruitment activities since it is not allowed under the peace agreement.
Bantu pointed to thatched houses in various degrees of decay, the unpaved dusty feeder road and the dilapidated school building, as proof of the continued poverty among the country's Muslim minority.
"Nothing has changed," he said. "We are still living in poverty and government services are few and far between. We are tired of fighting but how else can we be heard. Our options are very limited."
Bantu, 56, expressed serious concern that the continued neglect would force MNLF fighters to go back to the hills and renew their armed struggle.
The Philippine government has admitted that lack of funds has hampered the implementation of the agreement with the MNLF, but stressed that it was doing everything to help spur development in Mindanao.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has in fact placed the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF on the top of her administration's agenda.
"Maybe the government thinks that we are already past our prime as fighters," he said. "But it has to remember that a new generation of disillusioned young Muslims are growing and they would not hesitate to continue our struggle, even if it means going back to the hills."
Showing posts with label GEM Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GEM Program. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
USAID Headquarters Attacked In Southern Philippines, 3 Wounded!
COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 25 Apr) – A grenade attack in the restive southern Philippine region of Mindanao injured three people working for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), officials said on Wednesday.
Major General Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Infantry Division, said one of two grenades exploded in front of the USAID office in North Cotabato’s Pikit town.
“Three people – two engineers and a contractor, all Filipinos – were injured in the blast and we are still investigating the motive of the attack. We have strengthened security in the province and other areas where foreign aid workers are operating,” Ferrer told the regional Mindanao Examiner newspaper.
The attack, he said, occurred late Tuesday. "One of two grenades lobbed at the USAID office exploded," he said.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The three victims – Mario Tabaosares, 26; Alfredo Cabardo, 53, both engineers, and Damrod Dalandangan, 28, -- were rushed to hospital.
The three men were working on a USAID program called Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM). It aims to accelerate economic growth in the region and help assure that as many people as possible benefit from the economic growth and that the benefits are equitably distributed.
GEM also help bring about and consolidate peace in Mindanao. It was unknown if the attack would affect US aid in the southern Philippines. The United States, Australia and Canada have warned of impending attacks in Mindanao and told their citizens not to travel to the southern Philippines because of heightened terror activities.
But the Philippine military on Tuesday said it has no reports about an impending terror attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mindanao.
“It is relatively peaceful in many parts of Mindanao. We have not received reports about any specific threats,” a military spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
But a bomb explosion injured person last Sunday in Midsayap town in the troubled North Cotabato province.
Authorities said the bomb, assembled from a mortar rocket rigged to a timer, exploded on a roadside, wounding a woman. Police held two people in connection with the attack.
A man was also killed after a bomb he was transporting exploded in Cotabato City.
Last week, Abu Sayyaf militants whose group is tied to Al-Qaeda, beheaded six construction workers and a fisherman they kidnapped in Parang town in Jolo island.
The beheading came just four days after Jolo governor Benjamin Loong rejected the Abu Sayyaf demand of five million pesos ransom in exchange for the lives of the hostages, six of them were workers of the politician in his construction firm. (With reports from Mark Navales and Juley Reyes)
Major General Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Infantry Division, said one of two grenades exploded in front of the USAID office in North Cotabato’s Pikit town.
“Three people – two engineers and a contractor, all Filipinos – were injured in the blast and we are still investigating the motive of the attack. We have strengthened security in the province and other areas where foreign aid workers are operating,” Ferrer told the regional Mindanao Examiner newspaper.
The attack, he said, occurred late Tuesday. "One of two grenades lobbed at the USAID office exploded," he said.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The three victims – Mario Tabaosares, 26; Alfredo Cabardo, 53, both engineers, and Damrod Dalandangan, 28, -- were rushed to hospital.
The three men were working on a USAID program called Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM). It aims to accelerate economic growth in the region and help assure that as many people as possible benefit from the economic growth and that the benefits are equitably distributed.
GEM also help bring about and consolidate peace in Mindanao. It was unknown if the attack would affect US aid in the southern Philippines. The United States, Australia and Canada have warned of impending attacks in Mindanao and told their citizens not to travel to the southern Philippines because of heightened terror activities.
But the Philippine military on Tuesday said it has no reports about an impending terror attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mindanao.
“It is relatively peaceful in many parts of Mindanao. We have not received reports about any specific threats,” a military spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
But a bomb explosion injured person last Sunday in Midsayap town in the troubled North Cotabato province.
Authorities said the bomb, assembled from a mortar rocket rigged to a timer, exploded on a roadside, wounding a woman. Police held two people in connection with the attack.
A man was also killed after a bomb he was transporting exploded in Cotabato City.
Last week, Abu Sayyaf militants whose group is tied to Al-Qaeda, beheaded six construction workers and a fisherman they kidnapped in Parang town in Jolo island.
The beheading came just four days after Jolo governor Benjamin Loong rejected the Abu Sayyaf demand of five million pesos ransom in exchange for the lives of the hostages, six of them were workers of the politician in his construction firm. (With reports from Mark Navales and Juley Reyes)
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Filipino Teachers Finish US-Funded Computer Training In Zambo
Participants in the GEM-sponsored computer training. ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 27 Mar) – More than two dozen Filipino public school teachers under the CLIC (Computer Literacy and Internet Connection) program of the Growth Equity in Mindanao (GEM)-United States Agency for International Development (USAID), finished their two day hands-on training on Basic Network Administration and Internet Security at Elearning Centre Inc., (UZ Cisco Networking Academy) in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines.
The participants discussed various topics from learning the hardware requirements on building a simple Local Area Network to preventing viruses and spywares' intrusion in the computer system.
The overall training was initiated by Joseph Jingco and monitored by Chester Christian Abastar. Fhae Biottong took over the administrative tasks for the training with Jacob Mohammad and this writer served as trainers.
GEM is a non-government organization funded by the US government whose objective is to accelerate economic growth in Mindanao.
While the Elearning Centre, Inc. - an extended IT arm of Universidad de Zamboanga has entered into an agreement with CISCO Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, in bringing a comprehensive e-learning system to ensure that today’s students master the necessary skills for success in the Internet Economy.
This e-learning system is known as the Cisco Networking Academy Program (CNAP) which fosters student development and exposure to information technology through its networking curriculum.
Cisco Networking Academy Program is an e-learning model that includes web-based educational media-rich content, on-line testing, student performance tracking, and instructor training and support, as well as hands-on lab.
With this partnership, Elearning Centre Inc. brings another significant contribution to the advancement of technology in Zamboanga City and in Western Mindanao. (Yolynne Medina)
Friday, February 02, 2007
P56-M Commercial Center To Rise In Cotabato City
Cotabato City Mayor Muslim Sema speaks with a Muslim woman during a medical mission held inside the CIty Hall. Sema signs an agreement with the Growth With Equity in Mindanao, of the United States Agency for International Development, for the construction of a P56-million Cotabato City Commercial Center. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 02 Feb) – A P56-million commercial center is expected to rise in Cotabato City after the local government and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM II) Program signed a memorandum of agreement to build one of the biggest structure here.
The construction would take at least six month, said Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema. "We are happy to announce the construction of this Cotabato City Commercial Center, with the help of GEM II, and we are optimistic that more investments would come to our beautiful place," Sema told the Mindanao Examiner.
Sema and Carlos Canda Tan, GEM II deputy program manager, both signed the agreement this week in Cotabato City. Under the agreement, GEM II will shoulder the main bulk of the project cost amounting to P42.64 million while the local government shall put up an equity fund totaling P14.21 million.
Just recently, the City Council has authorized Sema to secure a loan amounting to P6.2 million as counterpart money for the project.
GEM II will be primarily responsible for site development including concreting of interior road system, drainage system, potable water line, landscaping & lighting, and construction of 60 units (30 sq.m. each) stalls, toilets, parking area, fountain, an open space for gatherings, an administration office, passenger waiting shed and perimeter fence.
The city government already cleared the proposed 1.5-hectare site of the Cotabato City Commercial Center of illegally-built houses and structures and had relocated tenants to Tamontaka 1 and some portions of Malagapas Resettlement Phase 2 here.
This month, it will begin embankment works that would cost P6.25 million as its major counterpart for the project. (Abdullah Cusain)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Mindanao Teachers Lack PCs, Call It Happy Problem
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 20 Dec) - Teachers in the Mindanao State University MSU-System of High Schools and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have what EduQuest, Inc. general manager Teresita Medado calls a "happy problem". They don't have enough computers and peripherals to integrate computers and the internet into classroom instruction.
During the Recognition and Awards Night for the IBM eMentor Scholarship program held recently in Cagayan de Oro, Maryam Manalundong, who was cited as the "Best Trainer" among the 27 graduates of the program, said they don't have enough computers to enable students to learn "hands-on".
They also lacked LCD projectors to make up for the lack of PCs by projecting their lessons to the board for all students to see.
But Medado called this is a "happy problem" because that particular batch of eMentors have "found good use for their PCs" and said she "wanted it recognized." Apparently, EduQuest worked with other schools before which "over-invested" in hardware and software but eventually found little use for it.
Even prior to that, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program already recognized the need to develop the "humanware" for this project by bringing in the IBM eMentor scholarship program for its Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) program.
CLIC aims to promote computer literacy and the use of information and communications technology (ICT) among students and teachers in the ARMM and other conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. It provides internet-linked computers, software, printers, reference materials on computers and the internet, and training on basic troubleshooting and repairs to CLIC-beneficiary schools.
To improve the quality of ICT-facilitated learning in the ARMM, IBM and USAID through GEM launched the IBM eMentor Scholarship Program (also known as the IBM eMentor Teacher Professional Training and Practicum Program) in the ARMM and the MSU System of High Schools.
The IBM eMentor Scholarship Program is implemented and managed by EduQuest, Inc., an affiliate of Asia Pacific College, an institution founded by IBM Philippines and the SM Foundation.
As a training provider and consultant on teaching strategies and tools, EduQuest designed the training course and certified the acquisition of competencies gained by teachers through the program. It was also responsible for monitoring the implementing the program by qualified and trained teachers in their own schools.
The program was developed with the rationale that improving the quality of education in the ARMM would help accelerate economic growth in Mindanao, improve the quality of life and bring about a just and lasting peace in the region.
In January 2006, at least 30 teachers were selected from a pool of 85 program applicants using a highly competitive process managed by GEM. Selection criteria included reading diagnosis rating, technology skill level and professional qualifications.
As program beneficiaries, each teacher-scholar committed to share the skills they acquired with at least 10 teachers from their schools within 7-10 months after graduating from the program.
From the original pool of 30 qualified applicants, 28 teacher-scholars went through an intensive 8-day training program at the STI computer laboratory in Davao City last January.
The training taught them how to maximize ICT applications, tools and resources in the classroom to inspire greater interest and increase the motivation to learn of students, thus increasing the quality of classroom instruction in the region (which has among the lowest literacy rate in the entire country) and also improved their ability to facilitate community participation in the learning process. Outputs and peer feedback were discussed on the last day of training.
Upon returning to their respective schools, the teacher-scholars now turned mentors applied their newly acquired skills and trained at least 10 other teachers, thus increasing the base of trained and qualified teacher-users for CLIC-partner schools.
Through the next 10 months, CLIC and IBM, through EduQuest, monitored and evaluated the implementation of the teacher-mentors' portfolio in their own schools.
Twenty seven teacher-mentor scholars completed the requirements of the program just this month.
The three highest achieving teacher-scholars and who excelled in their specific fields were recognized with awards from IBM and EduQuest. The teacher-mentors were evaluated based on three major criteria: Development and Implementation of Instructional materials using ICT; re-echo training or passing on what they have learned from the IBM eMentor program to their co-teachers, and teacher collaboration through various tools in the internet.
The 27 IBM eMentor Teacher-Scholars were Kusain M. Abas, Leticia S. Adjaril, Ma. Venus P. Aman, Floravel K. Ambas, Saliah Datucali H. Amin, Nor-ain M. Ampang, Aquil S. Andog, Arnold B. Asotigue, Achmad Dimalutang, Camaro T. Edzraphil, Arnel B. Hajan, Renette H. Jecostan, Aidyl Jeffrey A. Jikiri, Florida D. Maddie, Ma. Corazon G. Maguate, Mayleen P. Malagamba, Maryam Q. Manalundong, Caroline T. Marohom, Barbara Ann E. Pangcoga, Ranilo R. Remonde, Jemima O. Ruiz, Rheinjohn A. Sampang, Mariam A. Sunggod, Reynald L. Sykimte, Arlene B. Tawan, Ricardo B. Tarro and Nazer K. Usman.
Recognized as the top eMentor Scholars were Maryam Q. Macalundong, MSU Balindong, Lanao del Sur (1st place); Caroline T. Marohom, Malabang National High School, Lanao del Sur (2nd Place) and Nor-Ain M. Ampang, MSU Balo-i, Lanao del Norte.
Also granted special awards were Marohom (Best in Classroom Demonstrations), Manalundong (Best Teacher's Portfolio, Overall Best Online Discussant, Best Online Discussant/IBM Mentor Place, Best Online Discussant/IBM Yahoo group, Best Trainer), Edzraphil (Simplest Use of Technology to Achieve Maximum Impact) and Mr. Aquil S. Andog (Best Online Discussant/IBM eMentor Blogspot).
Although the program partners committed to continue supporting CLIC through the program, a formidable obstacle over which they basically have no control continues to hound the integration of computers and the internet in the ARMM, especially in Lanao del Sur: inadequate and unstable supply of electricity.
Ricardo de Leon, MSU-System President, acknowledged this problem but said the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) can hopefully address it in the near future upon the completion of a 69KV transmission line in Lanao del Sur aimed at stabilizing the power supply.
Ironically, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City, are hosts communities for the Agus hydro-electric power complex which supplies over half of Mindanao's present power needs.
The CLIC program in the ARMM is managed by Arcille Catherine Raagas, herself a former teacher and mentor based in Cagayan de Oro City. (Contributor, Kagay-an.com)
During the Recognition and Awards Night for the IBM eMentor Scholarship program held recently in Cagayan de Oro, Maryam Manalundong, who was cited as the "Best Trainer" among the 27 graduates of the program, said they don't have enough computers to enable students to learn "hands-on".
They also lacked LCD projectors to make up for the lack of PCs by projecting their lessons to the board for all students to see.
But Medado called this is a "happy problem" because that particular batch of eMentors have "found good use for their PCs" and said she "wanted it recognized." Apparently, EduQuest worked with other schools before which "over-invested" in hardware and software but eventually found little use for it.
Even prior to that, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program already recognized the need to develop the "humanware" for this project by bringing in the IBM eMentor scholarship program for its Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) program.
CLIC aims to promote computer literacy and the use of information and communications technology (ICT) among students and teachers in the ARMM and other conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. It provides internet-linked computers, software, printers, reference materials on computers and the internet, and training on basic troubleshooting and repairs to CLIC-beneficiary schools.
To improve the quality of ICT-facilitated learning in the ARMM, IBM and USAID through GEM launched the IBM eMentor Scholarship Program (also known as the IBM eMentor Teacher Professional Training and Practicum Program) in the ARMM and the MSU System of High Schools.
The IBM eMentor Scholarship Program is implemented and managed by EduQuest, Inc., an affiliate of Asia Pacific College, an institution founded by IBM Philippines and the SM Foundation.
As a training provider and consultant on teaching strategies and tools, EduQuest designed the training course and certified the acquisition of competencies gained by teachers through the program. It was also responsible for monitoring the implementing the program by qualified and trained teachers in their own schools.
The program was developed with the rationale that improving the quality of education in the ARMM would help accelerate economic growth in Mindanao, improve the quality of life and bring about a just and lasting peace in the region.
In January 2006, at least 30 teachers were selected from a pool of 85 program applicants using a highly competitive process managed by GEM. Selection criteria included reading diagnosis rating, technology skill level and professional qualifications.
As program beneficiaries, each teacher-scholar committed to share the skills they acquired with at least 10 teachers from their schools within 7-10 months after graduating from the program.
From the original pool of 30 qualified applicants, 28 teacher-scholars went through an intensive 8-day training program at the STI computer laboratory in Davao City last January.
The training taught them how to maximize ICT applications, tools and resources in the classroom to inspire greater interest and increase the motivation to learn of students, thus increasing the quality of classroom instruction in the region (which has among the lowest literacy rate in the entire country) and also improved their ability to facilitate community participation in the learning process. Outputs and peer feedback were discussed on the last day of training.
Upon returning to their respective schools, the teacher-scholars now turned mentors applied their newly acquired skills and trained at least 10 other teachers, thus increasing the base of trained and qualified teacher-users for CLIC-partner schools.
Through the next 10 months, CLIC and IBM, through EduQuest, monitored and evaluated the implementation of the teacher-mentors' portfolio in their own schools.
Twenty seven teacher-mentor scholars completed the requirements of the program just this month.
The three highest achieving teacher-scholars and who excelled in their specific fields were recognized with awards from IBM and EduQuest. The teacher-mentors were evaluated based on three major criteria: Development and Implementation of Instructional materials using ICT; re-echo training or passing on what they have learned from the IBM eMentor program to their co-teachers, and teacher collaboration through various tools in the internet.
The 27 IBM eMentor Teacher-Scholars were Kusain M. Abas, Leticia S. Adjaril, Ma. Venus P. Aman, Floravel K. Ambas, Saliah Datucali H. Amin, Nor-ain M. Ampang, Aquil S. Andog, Arnold B. Asotigue, Achmad Dimalutang, Camaro T. Edzraphil, Arnel B. Hajan, Renette H. Jecostan, Aidyl Jeffrey A. Jikiri, Florida D. Maddie, Ma. Corazon G. Maguate, Mayleen P. Malagamba, Maryam Q. Manalundong, Caroline T. Marohom, Barbara Ann E. Pangcoga, Ranilo R. Remonde, Jemima O. Ruiz, Rheinjohn A. Sampang, Mariam A. Sunggod, Reynald L. Sykimte, Arlene B. Tawan, Ricardo B. Tarro and Nazer K. Usman.
Recognized as the top eMentor Scholars were Maryam Q. Macalundong, MSU Balindong, Lanao del Sur (1st place); Caroline T. Marohom, Malabang National High School, Lanao del Sur (2nd Place) and Nor-Ain M. Ampang, MSU Balo-i, Lanao del Norte.
Also granted special awards were Marohom (Best in Classroom Demonstrations), Manalundong (Best Teacher's Portfolio, Overall Best Online Discussant, Best Online Discussant/IBM Mentor Place, Best Online Discussant/IBM Yahoo group, Best Trainer), Edzraphil (Simplest Use of Technology to Achieve Maximum Impact) and Mr. Aquil S. Andog (Best Online Discussant/IBM eMentor Blogspot).
Although the program partners committed to continue supporting CLIC through the program, a formidable obstacle over which they basically have no control continues to hound the integration of computers and the internet in the ARMM, especially in Lanao del Sur: inadequate and unstable supply of electricity.
Ricardo de Leon, MSU-System President, acknowledged this problem but said the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) can hopefully address it in the near future upon the completion of a 69KV transmission line in Lanao del Sur aimed at stabilizing the power supply.
Ironically, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City, are hosts communities for the Agus hydro-electric power complex which supplies over half of Mindanao's present power needs.
The CLIC program in the ARMM is managed by Arcille Catherine Raagas, herself a former teacher and mentor based in Cagayan de Oro City. (Contributor, Kagay-an.com)
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