Regional Governor's SORA

FIRST STATE OF THE REGION ADDRESS OF
DATU ZALDY UY AMPATUAN
REGIONAL GOVERNOR
14 NOV 2005
Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex
Cotabato City

BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHEEM

THE HONORABLE SPEAKER HATIMIL E. HASSAN AND OTHER ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY, THE HONORABLE REGIONAL VICE GOVERNOR ANSARUDDIN ALONTO ADIONG,

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 13TH CONGRESS PRESENT THIS AFTERNOON: HON. SIMEON A. DATUMANONG, HON. BENASING O. MACARAMBON, JR, HON. MUNIR M. ARBISON, HON. FAYSAH R.P.M DUMARPA, AND HON. ANUAR J. ABUBAKAR,

THEIR EXCELLENCIESAND MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS:

MY BELOVED FATHER, MAGUINDANAO GOVERNOR DATU ANDAL S. AMPATUAN, SR., AL HAJ, BASILAN GOVERNOR WAHAB M. AKBAR, AL HAJ, SULU GOVERNOR BENJAMIN T. LOONG, AL HAJ, TAWI-TAWI GOVERNOR SADIKUL A. SAHALI, AL HAJ, VICE GOVERNOR DATU BIMBO Q. SINSUAT OF MAGUINDANAO, MARAWI CITY MAYOR OMAR All, MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.

LT. GENERAL EDILBERTO P. ADAN, SOUTHERN COMMAND, AFP, MAJOR GENERAL AGUSTIN D. DEMA-ALA, 6TH INFANTRY DIVISION COMMAND, AFP, MAJOR GENERAL DATO POHLAWAN SOHEIMI BIN ABBAS, HEAD OF MISSION, GRP-MILF INTERNATIONAL MONITORING TEAM, PNP REGIONAL DIRECTOR AKMAD M. MAMALINTA, AL HAJ,

PRESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPAL MAYORS, BOARD MEMBERS, MUNICIPAL VICE MAYORS, BARANGAY CHAIRMEN, AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ACADEME AND NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH.

I come fully inspired and motivated/ by the hopes and prayers of our people for a better Muslim Mindanao under my watch in the next three years.

I know you have awaited this opening of the First Regular Session of this Fifth Legislative Assembly with your generous anticipation of the message that I would convey to our people in my State of the Region Address.

In my inaugural speech last September 30, 2005 I have enumerated some of my major policy thrusts and development priorities that we will implement during my term as your Fifth Regional Governor.

Today, I will discuss in detail though quite briefly some highlights of the programs of the Autonomous Government that would carryon the vision and mission of my administration.

We must maintain a cautious outlook of the ARMM that would keep our people united in the face of the political turmoil obtaining in Metro Manila.

While this present leadership of the ARMM is in full support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, we should nevertheless not lose sight of our commitment to institute purposive course of action to strengthen the regional autonomy.

Mr. Speaker, we have three (3) million people in the Autonomous Region who now demand for action and performance with results from the Autonomous Regional Government.

Using this state of the Region Address as my response to the call of our people for public service, I direct the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board (REDPB) through the Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO) to reformulate our Regional Executive and Legislative Agenda.

Whether we make the ARMM move forward from the shackle of bad breaks in the past to creativity and productivity is a question to our commitment and sincerity.

Through leadership, teamwork, courage and determination as well as fiscal discipline and transparency, our administrative dynamo is enough to energize our strength and capacity to deliver a positive response.

I am sure that by our commitment and sincerity, we can earn a clout of trust and confidence from our people and partners in development so that we can work and serve well. Indeed, we can even transform ARMM into a proactive government instrumentality as envisioned.

My administration will adopt the Executive and Legislative Agenda, which is partnership and collaborative in concept, to undertake five (5) key priority areas of concern:

A.) peace, order, and security,

B.) development administration and governance,

C.) economic development,

D.) social services and development, and

E.). Infrastructure support facilities and logistics.

Mr. Speaker, let me illustrate further each of the five priority areas. During my inaugural address, I have espoused that peace-building shall be a key priority program in my administration.

I will fully support the stabilization of the peace and order situation in the region through proper consultation and representation by various sectors particularly in policy formulation.

Key sectors will include traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and non-government organizations.

We will also be active participants in the government peace initiatives by being visible and present especially in times of needs or crisis.

Our specific programs and functions will include the following:

a) Strengthen regional and local conflict management institutions optimizing traditional and indigenous systems, and provide institutional and policy support/ to peace building initiatives;

b) Advocacy on the culture of peace;

c) Strengthening the five (5) pillars of the justice system namely: law enforcement, prosecution, courts, rehabilitation and community;

d) Strengthen emergency response and disaster management system, and;

e) Carry out comprehensive rehabilitation programs/ for post-conflict affected areas.

f) Support and coordinate the implementation of socioeconomic development aspects of the 1996 GRP and MNLF Peace Accord/ and the speedy completion of the on-going GRP-MILF peace negotiation,

g) Re-invigorate reconciliation and unification efforts, h) Strengthen the peace campaign and pacification efforts, and

i) Re-establish/strengthen disaster and calamity mitigation and preparedness through inter-agency bodies and entities.

Governance under my administration shall be anchored on three (3) principles: (a) Consultation (b) Righteousness, and (c) Justice.

In order to put in place the new machinery and rationalized bureaucracy of the regional government in consultation with political and local leaders, the regional leadership has organized the new set of ARMM cabinet members and other officials on the basis of trust and confidence, competence, and probity.

The regional leadership will streamline the bureaucracy through possible merging of regular departments or realignment of locally created bureaus and offices to make them more responsive to the requirements of the new governance in ARMM.

This policy option is expected to result to a rationalized bureaucracy to save on administrative costs considering current budget constraints and to possibly reduce duplicative functions. The executive and legislative branches of the ARMM shall evolve into a new breed of partnership driven by desire for reforms and a common goal of achieving a viable and more livable ARMM.

We shall enhance our linkages with the national government agencies and the international donor community for more collaborative efforts in development programs and projects implementation in the region.

We will strengthen the implementation of the Local Governance Support Program (LGSPA) in the region under the assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

We shall bring the regional government closer to our constituents. Efforts will be stepped-up for a more regional and local government interaction and collaboration.

We will ensure that the civil society organizations are actively involved in the affairs of the ARMM at all levels. On fiscal management, my administration will seek every possible means and opportunities to dramatically reduce our financial dependence from outside sources.

I firmly believe that only when the region is able to stand on its feet financially that we can truly be an autonomous region.

It is in this light that I am laying down the following fiscal administration:

The overall thrust is to ensure increase in revenues and the institution of sound and efficient financial resource management systems and practices.

Specifically, it is my commitment to make difference in the following areas:

a.) To aggressively pursue the formulation and administration of priority fiscal policies, programs and projects through executivelegislative collaboration.

More studies shall be conducted on creating additional sources of revenues in the areas of development financing, taxation, grants, loans, and public business investment, including the establishment of Regional Development Corporation.

b.) To strengthen ARMM revenue generating capacity by way of structural, human resource, systems development and applications, and institutional arrangements.

The region must have the capacity in terms of organization, manpower, and systems to effectively and efficiently discharge its functions of assessing, collecting, and reporting all taxes, fees, and charges provided under RA 9054 and MMA Act 49.

We will workout with the National Government to place the supervision of LGU treasurers under ARMM/ for collection of taxes, internal revenues, and sharing from taxes of large taxpayers operating in the region.

c.) To secure ARMM equitable share from the national budget and the timely release of funds to the Regional Government.

d.) To enlist the support of concerned LGUs, the private sector, and the taxpayers in the administration of tax laws and measures.

e.) To adopt information communication technology for better governance and access to the rest of the world.

As a matter of policy, I am directing all regular agencies of the regional government to remit GSIS premiums to the Government Service Insurance System on time and on regular basis.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that developing our agriculture and fisheries sector is a strategic way to alleviate our people from poverty.

We will launch a package of strategies toward resource mobilization, expenditure prioritization, and capacity building to increase the contribution of agriculture and fisheries sector to the output of the regional economy.

With improved peace and order condition, we will optimize the utilization of our fertile lands/ as well as inland and marine resources.

Let us expand the production of high value crops such as rubber and coffee in Basilan; abaca, coconut and exotic fruits in Sulu; seaweed in Tawi-Tawi; and corn, cassava, mango and banana in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

We will embark on establishing more post-harvest and handling facilities such as buying stations, processing plants and marketing mechanisms. We will also upgrade our road systems particularly farm-to-market roads.

Let us move our products to the BIMP-EAGA and to the Middle- East where a huge potential markets for ARMM products exists.

We will put the region on the investment map for we know that as we rise from the ashes of war, we need inputs and infrastructures to be in place to accelerate productivity.

We shall tap local and foreign investors to put up the value-adding and job-generating agri-fishery based processing and marketing facilities in the region.

The Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA) is now established. We will work for its immediate operation to enhance the market flows of agri-fishery commodities.

Mr. Speaker, I am directing the agriculture, trade and industry, the science and technology departments and related agencies to combine forces and come up with value-added products for the markets that we intend to reach.

I expect these agencies to produce tangible results in a year time and I need progress reports on a quarterly basis to facilitate the support they need on a hands-on basis.

I need results in the same way that my father, the Governor of Maguindanao Datu Andal S. Ampatuan, Sr. had acted swiftly in converting hundreds of hectares of idle lands into agribusiness venture which increases income and farm job opportunities for our farmers.

One of the innovations that we would adopt is to encourage the LGU to allocate more of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to increase agricultural production and productivity.

The efforts of the provincial governments in pursuing agricultural development is well acknowledged and shall receive support from the Regional Government.

We will take a lead role in the growth of Halal Food Industry in the region considering its huge potential markets in the East Asian Growth Area (EAGA) region and elsewhere.

We will support the accelerated implementation of agrarian reform community projects in the region including those funded by the national government and the international funding institutions.

We will increase our vigilance in the management, conservation, and protection of our environment and natural resources particularly the forest and watershed areas of the region.

No doubt the ARMM is the source of hydro-electric power in the entire Mindanao region and host to the two (2) biggest irrigation systems in Mindanao: the Kabulnan Irrigation System and the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation System with combine irrigated areas of about 22,000 hectares.

Mr. Speaker, the development of education in ARMM has undergone real and actual setbacks and problems.

The question of non-remittance to Government Service Insurance System, PAG-IBIG, Philippine Public School Teachers Association, private insurances and the failure to release the September 2005 teachers' salaries have caused nightmare on the morale of our teachers and employees.

We shall address these problems extensively and vigorously in order to restore the morale of our teachers and bring back their confidence to the teaching profession.

Mr. Speaker, profound and far-reaching reforms are necessary to meet the growing demands and requirements of the alternative learning system, Madaris and basic education in the next three years.

There is a need to review our educational system and policies to introduce reforms to make education and training more responsive and effective.

We shall focus on our academic program for the training and retraining of teachers in English, Mathematics, and Science including the use of information communication technology in the teaching and learning process.

Mr. Speaker, ARMM shall remain committed to implement the education provisions of RA 9054 particularly on the enrichment and improvement of Madaris Curriculum.

We shall strengthen the teaching of Arabic and Islamic values in all levels of our educational system.

With humility, we shall bring the unschooled to the classrooms and educate further the educated sectors of our society.

To complement our regular educational programs and trainings, we shall continue to be in partnership with the Australian and U.S. governments through their respective educational assistance program namely: Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao and EQUALLS or TUDLO Mindanao.

We shall further explore and seek educational assistance from the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Conference especially the enrichment of madaris curriculum and training of teachers in Arabic and Islamic values.

In the field of health, our administration will support the implementation of the ARMM Strategy for Health Improvement (ASHI).

I have specifically given directive to the health department to ensure the delivery of better health services during my term of office.

To achieve this, we will involve and coordinate with the local government units in the implementation of health programs and activities.

We will also seek the support of foreign donors in improving the health condition of the region.

Mr. Speaker, we will ensure that government hospitals in ARMM will be upgraded, equipped and accredited to cope with the demand of time.

To allow more constituents avail of health services in the remotest areas, a regional, provincial, district and municipal Health Teams shall be organized to conduct regular outreach medical missions in these hard-to-reach barangays.

On social welfare and community development, we are committed to pursue development aimed at hastening the reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities ravaged by natural and man-made calamities and ensure delivery of services to our affected constituents.

Major welfare programs and services of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-ARMM (DSWD-ARMM) will be strengthened for the care, protection and rehabilitation of disadvantaged persons especially women and children.

Mr. Speaker, the implementation of policies and laws protecting the rights of cultural communities to their ancestral lands shall be strengthened.

We will facilitate the signing of the creation of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) in the ARMM which shall oversee the implementation of Republic Act 8371, the indigenous people's right act of 1997, that recognizes, protects and promotes the rights of the indigenous cultural communities in the region. I am committed to support initiatives that will promote and protect their rights including UNICEF assistance. These initiatives include the following:

a) Facilitate the preparation of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the ARMM Magna Carta for Children,

b) Organize and strengthen local bodies that will help promote and protect the welfare of women and children,

c) Complete and implement the four (4) gifts for children: (1) Local Development Plan, (2) Local Investment Plan, (3) Local Code for Children, and (4) Local State of Children's Report,

d.) Promote and implement the Child Friendly Movement (CFM), which aims to put children at the center of development, and

e.) Fully implement RA 9262 known as "Anti-Violence Against Women and the Children Act of 2004".

No business and investments can flourish in ARMM where there is inadequacy of roads, bridges, ports and flood control as well as irrigation facilities. Thus, despite our limited resources, we will begin to make up for the implementation of these projects.

As a start, we will reprioritize our infrastructure projects under the current year 2005 which we are just beginning to receive from the Department of Budget and Management in the amount of P650.0 million for our locally-funded infrastructure projects.

Our fiscal year 2006 budget allocation of another P650.0 million for the various infrastructure projects will support among others: repair and maintenance of roads and bridges as well as farm to market roads.

The 2006 budget allocation from Social Fund Project for Capital Outlay of P839.9 million will be utilized for Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI), Community Development Assistance (CDA) and Institutional Strengthening and Governance projects (ISG) particularly in the conflict-affected areas.

This amount has been provided so as to enable the project to catchup with the scheduled implementation period as provided in the Loan Agreement between the National Government, the World Bank, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

I am well-informed that the DPWH central office will begin the concrete-upgrading of the Basilan circumferential road, the Lake Lanao Circumferential road and the construction of Cotabato City Diversion Road.

Funding will come from the Saudi Development Fund with local counterpart from the National Government. The rehabilitation and improvement of the 157 kms. of Cotabato- Malabang-Marawi road or the Narciso Ramos highway will also be undertaken by the DPWH-Central office in close coordination with the DPWH-ARMM.

As a matter of policy and consistent with existing rules and regulations, we will involve the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the implementation of our infrastructure development projects.

Better project implementors will expect more rewards and incentives from the Regional Government in terms of project fund allocation.

I would like to ask the Regional Assembly to enact or amend the following priority legislative measures:

a) Regional Administrative Code

b) Regional Local Government Code

c) Regional Internal Revenue Code

d) Regional Aquatic and Fisheries Code

e) Regional Agrarian Reform Law

f) Regional Educational System Law

g) Regional Appropriations Act of 2006

h) System of Economic Agreements and Trade Compacts

Perhaps, the Regional Assembly (RA) may also appreciate a review I on the devolution of the DOTC, CHED and TESDA in aid of legislation since R.A. 9054 requires to a certain extent the. enactment of law on devolved agencies or offices of the national government to the ARMM.

At this juncture, let me emphasize that I have requested for supplemental budget knowing the limitations of our proposed budget for 2006.

For this purpose, I had talked to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary Romulo Neri, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and to Congressman Rolando Andaya, Jr., Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations.

In that sense and spirit, I am glad to make this report to our people on the state of regional affairs.

As your new Regional Governor, I am determined to do and face what it takes to make the ARMM survive and move on. We have now this opportunity and, if we fail, it may never come again. Let us therefore buckle down to work to get things done well.

Good day! MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

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