PGMA orders AFP engineers to complete Lanao Sur Irrigation Project
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MASIU, Lanao del Sur – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday ordered military engineers under Western
Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Lt. General Delfin Dolorfino to complete the Malaig Irrigation Project
in the adjacent town of Butig, wherein construction work was suspended due to the activities of rogue Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Commander Bravo.
The project, which was among the major irrigation projects mentioned in the President’s 2006 State of the
Nation Address, is part of government’s goal to increase farm productivity in Agribusiness Mindanao super
region, one of five growth corridors aimed at maximizing the country’s strengths in agriculture and agribusiness,
information technology, and tourism.
The President also instructed Public Works Secretary Vic Domingo to start within two weeks construction work
on the long-stalled Lake Lanao Circumferential Road, which was conceptualized during a visit here decades
back by the President’s father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal.
“Secretary Domingo said the equipment are ready and the project already awarded to the winning contractor,”
the President told the faculty and students of Unda Memorial National Agricultural School (UMNAS) here this
afternoon.
The President said the project will complement the P9 billion worth of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) established
in Mindanao since 2001.
The President said her administration has made huge investments in Mindanao to improve the island’s
standard of living and to sustain peace.
“Ang Mindanao ay panggagalingan ng pagkain ng Pilipinas. Namumuhan tayo sa Mindanao sa bawat antas
dahil tangi ang pamumuhunan sa pag-asa at hindi sa takot ang magbibigay ng kalayaan sa rehiyon at lumago
ng lumago at yumaman,” the President said.
To develop Mindanao’s agribusiness potential, the President said government agencies have provided low-cost
fertilizers, composting facilities, certified and hybrid seeds; and built irrigation systems, bridges, and farm-to-
market roads.
In the last four years, the President said almost 400,000 hectares of farmlands were irrigated to spur
agricultural activity in Mindanao. including Lanao del Sur.
The President also instructed Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Horacio Ramos to help the more
than 800 students of UMNAS establish their own materials recovery facility (MRF) to convert garbage into organic
fertilizers.
The President said government has invested more than 300 MRFs in Mindanao but every barangay needs to
have one under the Solid Waste Management Act.
The President also told the students that some 700 dryers were provided to Mindanao as part of the more than
2,000 post-harvest facilities given nationwide.
The President said loans amounting to P161 billion released by Land Bank of the Philippines to farmers in the
past nine years was double that of the past three administrations. Administrations.
The President said 46 billion of these loans for farmers went to Mindanao to enable farmer beneficiaries to
develop their capacities to invest more in agribusiness.
The President said more than 1,000 barangays were also provided with electricity in the region.
To improve market access in the region, some P51.68 billion was spent for the establishment of 37,734 linear
meters of bridges and the construction and improvement of 6,557 kilometers of main arteries and farm-to-
market roads.
To increase productivity, government also provided 4.38 million bags of certified seeds and 505,963 bags of
hybrid seeds.
Fifteen mariculture parks were also established in Mindanao, including in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, that
enabled small fisherfolk to breed high-value marine species.
In 2008 to 2009 alone, more than 1,000 farmers and agricultural extension workers went through 36,620 various
technology trainings on modern farming.
To provide a faster mode of transporting agricultural inputs and outputs in the Mindanao super region, five new
seaports and one roll-on roll-off (RoRo) port were constructed; while 33 others were upgraded, including 10
RoRo ports amounting to about P5.44 billion.
Since 2001, 21 existing airports were also improved/upgraded worth a total of P26.89 billion.
During her visit here, the President also inaugurated the newly constructed three-storey Masiu municipal hall
and led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the town’s P8-million potable water system project of the Local
Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
The President then proceeded to the next town of Taraka to inaugurate its P3.5-million public market and the
start of construction works on its P30-million potable water system.
Masiu Mayor Nasser Pangandaman Jr. and Tarakan Mayor Amenodin Sumagayan thanked the President for the
projects.
The two mayors said these projects will help them deliver basic services and free their constituents from
diarrhea and other diseases as a result of sourcing their water from springs and rivers.
The President said all these projects will soon lift Lanao del Sur from being among the 10 hungriest provinces
in the country.
Aside from Secretaries Ramos and Domingo, the President was accompanied by Press Secretary Crispulo
Icban Jr, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.
Among those who warmly welcomed the President here were more than 2,000 students, residents and local
officials led by ARMM Acting Governor Ansaruddin Adiong, his brother Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong
Jr., Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Faysah Dumarpa, 2nd District Rep. Pangalian Balindong, and UMNAS
principal Dipangampong Unda.
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NCDA cites PGMA's support to persons with disabilities
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s commitment to support, empower and redeem the rights and dignity of
persons with disabilities (PWDs) was cited today as one of her meaningful legacies.
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) chairperson Rosie Lovely Romulo said the efforts and
commitment of the President inspired PWDs to become productive citizens. Romulo said President Arroyo will
leave behind a sector truly satisfied of her efforts and concern.
“Today marks another milestone in our history as we celebrate our new office, the home of our 58 staff and
partners nationwide,” Romulo said during the President’s visit this morning at the newly-constructed building of
the NCDA located at Isidora St. in Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City.
NCDA Executive Director Mateo Dee, Jr., for his part said the new building “represents part of the NCDA’s true
vision and mission. It symbolizes the transformation of the functions of the then National Council for the Welfare
of Disabled Persons and now NCDA by virtue of Executive Order 709 issued by the President on February 26,
2008.”
EO 709 restructured and redefined the functions of the NCDA which according to Dee “gave new hope and
aspirations to PWDs.”
”We salute the President’s able leadership for making NCDA a dynamic and progressive agency focusing on
the rights of PWDs,” Mateo said.
The EO also paved the way for the PWDs to manage their own affairs and concerns.
The President toured the 1,559-square meter, two-storey facility which includes a parking lot, ramps, an open
lift, toilets and non-skid flooring, among others.
The NCDA is the policy-making, coordinating and monitoring body of the government pertaining to disability. It
leads stakeholders in promoting the implementation of various disability-related laws, such as the Magna Carta
for PWDs (Republic Act7 277) and its amendatory law RA 9442.
It also mobilizes different entities, government or private, to comply with the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities which the Philippines became a state party on April 15, 2008.
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