maradeca newsletter

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To strengthen coordination with government agencies, a movement dubbed “Ugnayan tayo!” (Let’s Coordinate!) was organized in provinces served by the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform, Inc. (CCARE).

The group is composed of representatives of government and civil society organization.

“Maradeca Inc., as a partner, lead in convening all stakeholders in Lanao del Sur,” said Salic Ibrahim, executive director of said non-government organization.

CCARE has a Local Democracy Council, a coordinating body, that will conduct quarterly meeting as stakeholders for “free, honest and credible election by 2010 and to find resolution to electoral-related problems.”

This council is composed of representatives of Commission on Election (Comelec), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Statistics Office (NSO), Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Prelature of St. Mary, DXSO, and Islamic Movement for Electoral Reform and Good Governance (IMERGG).

In their recent meeting, the council assessed the social preparations initiated by Citizens CARE Provincial Management Committee for continuing voters’ registration in ARMM in partnership with the Comelec.

MaradecaUpdates

“Ugnayan Tayo!” strengthen stakeholders’ tie for honest election

Vol. 5 No. 2 July - October 2009

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MARANAO PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC.

They also discussed the proposed Phase 3 Project of SEPVEEM-ARMM including its activities.

CCARE presented the output of the Pulong Tayo 3 (Voters’ Education) conducted in several barangays of Lanao del Sur.

They also identified possible acts of irregularities in the upcoming election as well as some possible preventive measures.

Aquil Andog, education supervisor of DepEd in Lanao Sur II-A said that most of the issues discussed have already transpired in the past and could serve as guideposts in their electoral campaign for credible election.

Nasib Yasin, provincial election supervisor, also explained and clarified their functions in accordance to policies and system of Comelec.

Lacs Dalidig of IMERGG encouraged other members of the council to follow the Hijrah’s “from haram to halal” to uphold what is good.

“It is important to use Islamic doctrines in solving our problems because our electoral problems is akin to A(H1N1) virus that can spread rapidly,” Dalidig said.

Fr. Chito Suganob, vicar general of Marawi prelature and also member of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said that “the coordination meeting is already a pro-active initiative to sustain the campaign for electoral reform.

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1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Ugnayan Tayo!” strengthen . . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ramadhan . . .3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Ballot, not bullet”3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evacuees in Madalum . . .4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramadhan encourage . . .4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community leaders learn . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Learn without age limits5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Two barangays seek . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Children at Butig town benefit . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 children, 17 adults . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maranao women to start business . . .6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Maranao farmers . . .7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OTR conduct chapters’ assembly . . .7 . . . . . . Farmer proves use of organic fertilizers . . .7 . . . .PO reps attend dev’t management training . . .8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Photos/Images

Page Stories

“A Muslim is morally and spiritually strengthened to face the challenges of modern society, especially the changing economy.”

2 MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER

Ramadhan is not just about a month-long fasting.It is also empathizing with those who are taking the ordeal to serve their

penalties in jail.With the spirit of solidarity, Maradeca Inc. in coordination with Prelature of

St. Mary in Marawi and Dansalan College Foundation Inc., conducted jail visitation on September 13, 2009 at the provincial and city jails of Marawi City.

They visited the 60 prisoners of the city jail and 40 others at the provincial jail.

Such has been part of the activities conducted annually by the Prelature of Marawi and Maradeca Inc. as part of Ramadhan program. It aims to enlighten the prisoners by making them feel that there are people who care for them even if they are imprisoned.

Prisoners were provided with food and some goods for hygiene. They serenaded them.

Most of those imprisoned are serving the penalties on cases relating to robbery, murder, family trouble and rape. They’ve been unfree for 3 to 6 years.

Prisoners conveyed depression “because life is difficult without liberty.”Their rights as citizens of this country can no longer be exercised and many of

those lifestyles they used to enjoy are already prohibited.But as time goes by, they became accustom with their daily routines inside the

prison. They are able to build friendship with one another. They become family to each other especially at difficult times.

The rehabilitation of those prisoners enhanced their spiritual lives because they devoted their selves to prayer. This made almost all of them repent for their sins.

These people, adjudicated as criminals, are usually victims of discriminations, stereotypes and are socially stigmatized.

But it must be remembered that they are also human beings who should be treated fairly and deserve Divine forgiveness.

Anyone can commit mistakes depending on pervading circumstances. Persons differ only on their responses to problems encountered.

However, with faith, we can handle our burdens with cognizance to our reality that “nobody is perfect.”

editorial

Celebrating Ramadhan with prisonersEditorial Board

Muslims and Christians serenaded prisoners during Ramadhan.

An elderly woman held the hand of a prisoner while youths serenaded them

Visitors were curious to look into the situation of prisoners inside the jail

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SALIC B. IBRAHIM, editor-in-chief; SINAB DATU, associate editor; MALANO M. MAI, managing editor; SAFIA DIMATINGCAL, feature editor; VIOLETA M. GLORIA, news editor; ANAPOLA “Girl” DOLOGMANDIN, layout editor.

CONTRIBUTORSJehan M. Ditucalan, Janifa Camama, Bolawan O. Mangotara, Diamond D. Tomo, Mahid M. Sacar, Mohaida Sultan, Zoliaca R. Camama, Zenaida D. Usman, Rohania H. Amer, Almaira Dibaratun, Azliah Espirola, Jabber A. Camama, H. Ibrahim Mama, Nadjeba Maruhom, Sittie Azliah Espinola, Jamalia Baulo, Sahria Adapun, Abdul Khaliq H. Alim and Salima Guro

Office Address: Maradeca Inc., 092 Cabili Street, Lilod Madaya, Marawi City, ARMM, Philippines Email add: [email protected]

2009-2010

3MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER

“A ballot is stronger than a bullet”, former president Abraham Lincoln of America once said this adage.

Such has been tested true as violent experiences during election happened whilst sustaining the movement for credible and honest election.

This is because endless electoral controversies led to conflicts, feuds, and even wars. People argue with prejudicial views while taking side with politicians or of an issue.

Worst, there are cases when conflicts roused by partisanship result to violence and death. Nobody wins.

This issue still affects us in Lanao provinces. Everybody became interested with politics. They misconceived politics as gateway to success because it will give them power to fulfill their dreams.

Cognizant to these challenges, the Citizens CARE was established as advocate for electoral reform towards the empowerment of the Bangsamoro. It is currently a partner of Maradeca Inc. for its local advocacy on good governance.

Last August 17-19, 2009, partners have

“Ballot, not bullet”evaluated its project dubbed Strengthening Electoral Process through Voter’s Education and Election Monitoring in the ARMM (SEPVEEM)-Phase 2 at Regency Inn, Davao City.

Participants were representatives of Maradeca Inc. with the CCARE Board of Trustees, heads of Provincial Management Committee, Provincial Coordinators, and some members.

They consolidated CCARE’s accomplishments under the SEPVEEM Phase 2; plan for SEPVEEM Phase 3; conduct the tenth BOT Meeting; update on the automated 2010 synchronized national and local elections; come up with standard voter education messages for Pulong Tayo; and agree on issues that CCARE need to have a stand as leading electoral reform advocate in the ARMM.

The Citizens CARE aim to empower Maranao voters and hope to quell pressing concerns on “bribery during elections.”

Members believed that “only through a vigilant citizenry that we can have a genuine credible election of the country.”

Conflict-affected communities in the towns of Madalum and Wato Balindong of Lanao del Sur receive relief goods from Maradeca Inc. with support from United Nations Development Programme and Act for Peace Project-StRIDE Mindanao.

The relief goods, though short-termed in nature, helped the internally displaced communities to meet their basic needs. These consist of canned goods, sugar, oil, detergent soaps and mats.

Residents of Wato Balinding and Madalum were displaced due to armed confrontations between government soldiers and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) this year.

Evacuees in Madalum, Wato Balindong receive relief goods

Reliefs were distributed last June 20, 2009 in barangays Salongabanding, Liangan I and II, Abaga, Cadayunan Linuk, Sugod, Bubong, Kormatan, Dandamun, Madaya, and Dilausan of Madalum municipality.

“Displaced communities were impatient to receive their goods,” said Ibrahim Salic, executive director of Maradeca Inc., explaining that “such depict the impoverished state of these people.”

On June 28, 2009, relief operation was done at Wato Balindong, Lanao del Sur with the IDPs resulted from the current clash in the area as the identified target beneficiaries.

oPiNioN

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To enhance their knowledge on mediating conflicts, community-based leaders from Lanao del Sur had a two-day educational trip to Kabacan of North Cotabato on August 17-18, 2009.

The exposure trip was participated by representatives of Ompongan o mga Bae sa Ranao (OBAERA), Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR), Mindanao Youth for Peace and Development (MYPD), Maradeca Community Banking (MCB) and Community Development and Management Council (CDMC).

All of them are people’s organization assisted by Maradeca Inc.

Participants were able to witness the vulnerabilities of conflict-affected areas in Cotabato and also learned from their experiences. They also had dialogues about the lifestyle and livelihood of Maguindanaons.

At night, they were divided to sleep with selected host families at barangays Dungguan, Pagalungan and Layog of Maguindanao. They were assisted by Mike Alon, executive director of Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), a non-government organization based in Kabacan, Cotabato city.

Uztadj Iskak, program officer of IMAN encouraged them to “prefer dialogues in resolving conflicts than the use of guns.”

Abdul Wahab, chair of CDMC based in Butig, Lanao del Sur expressed gratitude and appreciated the warmth of acquainting them to families in other conflict-affected areas.

Said activity is part of the peace-building program of Maradeca and was supported by CARITAS-Australia.

The holy month of Ramadhan is very significant for all Muslims.

They all fasted for a month to cleanse themselves from bad deeds and to offer their sacrifices with hope that Allah will bless them and pardon them of their sins.

In this month, they forbid themselves to eat food and drink water at day time and they’d wait every sunset before they could enjoy their meals.

They also renounce biological wants and devote their time for prayer.

Muslims all look forward to this annual religious obligation to renew their commitment for peace and unity.

Community leaders study conflict resolution at NorthCot

Ramadhan encourage Muslims’renewal for peace, unity

feature

Inspired by faith, Maradeca Inc., a non-government organization assisting Maranao communities in Lanao, conducted Ramadhan-related programs with its partner communities.

They had religious activities that include reading and recitals of Qur’an, Qaseeda (declamation), Azaan (call of prayer), Qitaaba (Islamic preaching), Arabic/Maranao Songs, and Mathlumal Am (question and answer) and Wasiat (sermon).

These activities were done at barangay Linuk of Madalum town, barangay Bayabao of Butig town, and barangay Lumbatan of Buadipuso Buntong town.

Maradeca also sustain these activities in barangay Sandab of Butig town, barangay Sugod of Madalum, barangay Nanapun of Marawi city and barangay Dimapatoy of Bubong town of Lanao del Sur.

Maradeca staffs with religious youths of Saint Mary Prelature also visited prisoners at the city and provincial jails during Ramadhan to provide them some food and soaps for hygiene. They also serenaded them to make them feel that they are cared for.

The month-long fasting ended in an Ed’l Fitr where all Muslims gathered together and pray.

Participants to the Educational Tour at North Cotabato.


Two pilot barangays from conflict-affected towns of Madalum and Butig of Lanao Sur underwent rehabilitation planning to improve their situation and sought livelihood assistance from United Nations Development Programme, StRIDE-Mindanao and Maradeca Inc, a non-government organization based in Marawi city.

These are barangay Salongabanding of Madalum and barangay Bayabao of Butig town of Lanao del Sur.

“In their planning, residents named the positive and negative conditions they experienced for the past eight years in conflict situations. They bared that they’ve been victims and displaced by armed conflicts between the government soldiers and rebels under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),“ said Salic Ibrahim, head of Maradeca Inc.

“War devastated their agriculture and burned their houses,” Ibrahim said. He however quickly pointed that the planning session also tackled their concerns nowadays and how to improve their livelihood.

“Most of the displaced communities wanted assistance and provision of social services to fill their basic needs,” he further said.

Said planning was conducted last June 19, 2009 and June 22, 2009 respectively.

Like romantic relationships, learning for Maranao adults doesn’t require age limits.

Thus, a number of Maranao women attend functional literacy–-one of the programs of Maradeca Inc. for adults who are interested to take alternative education and eradicate illiteracy despite aging.

Functional literacy is a three-month classes aiming to at least educate the adults on reading and writing readiness. But what made this unique from other functional literacy is that as farmers, they are also taught on the uses of herbal medicines, proper use of organic fertilizers, understanding the different road signs and the fundamentals of Arabic lessons.

After the success of functional literacy at barangay Linuk, Maranao adults from barangay Lumbac, Buadipuso Buntong town of Lanao del Sur take turn of enjoying the project and graduated with new skills learned.

Jehan M. Ditucalan, education program staff of Maradeca Inc. facilitated the classroom instruction.

Learners were very thankful for this opportunity of gaining knowledge and confidence for themselves.

They also realized the importance of education in the individual and encourage their children and grandchildren to give importance their education as their foundation in life.

Learn without age limits

2 brgys seek rehab, livelihood

News

Children in the conflict-affected communities of barangay Bayabao, Butig town of Lanao del Sur “will enjoy a supplemental feeding and psychosocial therapy program” as part of the entire rehabilitation of this community.

Salic Ibrahim, executive director of Maradeca Inc., said “it is paramount to sustain the lives and dignity of these Maranao civilians affected by the armed conflict between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in 2000 and in 2003.”

Ibrahim said that this project is being implemented by MARADECA Inc. in partnership with Act for Peace-StRIDE Mindanao from September to October 2009.

“The children are the most vulnerable and severely traumatized in conflict situations,” he said, adding that “they are susceptible to diseases due to malnutrition.”

The war deprived farmers their economic base, as they were advised to evacuate.

“The feeding program will provide children with nutritious foods,” he added.

Ibrahim pointed that social workers are also mobilized to managed the psychosocial therapies within the period “to conduct emotional recovery sessions for children and to enable them rise from their violent experiences.”

Other kids from neighboring sitios were also motivated to participate in the activities “as they enjoyed the games and activities.”

The feeding were also supported by women organization, farmers, and youths-- partners of Maradeca Inc. (See photos at page 10)

Children at Butig town benefit feeding, psychosocial therapy

One of the Maranao women-adult who enjoys Maradeca’s literacy program.


Maranao women decide to take-off their small-scale businesses by making fruit jam as alternative income generation.

They were motivated to pursue this after joining a seminar workshop on food processing.

Those who participated this activity are representatives of Maranao Community Banking (MCB), youths and members of Obaera from the barangays of Bayabao in Butig, Linuk in Madalum, Nanapun and Guimba of Marawi City and Lumbac of Buadipuso Buntong in Lanao del Sur.

It was conducted on August 17-29, 2009, prior to the month of Ramadhan, so that they will be able to maximize

Twenty-one children aging seven to eleven years old and seventeen adults are now enjoying alternative functional literacy and daycare classes at barangay Dansalan of Buadipuso Buntong of Lanao del Sur.

Pupils and the elderly are taught with

21 children, 17 adults enjoy literacy at Buadiposo Buntong town

foundational education and basic literacy.Buadipuso Buntong was chosen by

Maradeca Inc. as its pilot community on alternative education because of its poor condition and high percentage of illiteracy rate.

It also lacked social services from the government.

“The adult literacy class started on the first week of September and will end by November 2009 while day care classes will end on February 2010.

There are 38 total enrollees.Adult learners express gratitude to

Maradeca Inc. for this alternative education that helped them develop their reading and comprehension skills.

Maradeca uses a module on

fundamentals of writing and reading.It also includes lessons on herbal

medicines, road signs and on how to make organic fertilizer.

The latter lessons are intended for adults-students who are dependent on agriculture as their way of living.

Maranao women start business by making fruit jam

their new skills learned.They know now how to make

mango, peanut, jackfruit and pineapple jams.

The training help augment their income by utilizing their knowledge on making jam for entrepreneurial initiatives.

They also requested for the provision of more food processing trainings to enhance their knowledge.

Maradeca Inc. hopes that this project could encourage more intervention from foreign partners like Caritas-Australia.

One of the community members from Guimba said “the food processing training on different kinds of jams was indeed a great help for the community people.”

News

Fifty-eight farmers from two Maranao communities in Lanao del Sur province are identified by Maradeca Inc. as their new partner for sustainable livelihood and agro-forestry programs.

“This also open doors and opportunities to enhance the capacity of stakeholders of agriculture and in two Maranao communities of barangay Cadayonan of Madalum town and barangay Unda Dayawan at Masiu town of Lanao del Sur.

Of the beneficiaries, 15 are women. They were organized and become members of Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR.)

Recently, they underwent orientation, organization of officers, and crafting of policies for the election of officers and policy formation.

Beneficiaries were thankful to Maradeca Inc. for including their barangays as its partner for development.

58 Maranao farmers to benefit SusAg program

Maranao women cook jackfruit during a seminar workshop on food processing

7MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTERNews

``Its my first time to harvest thousands of kilos of palay with less farm inputs,`` declared Abdulwahab Maca-ampa, a member of Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR) based in barangay Bayabao of Butig, Lanao del Sur that uses organic method of rice-farming.

Maca-ampa has been farming for many years and confessed that he has never harvest as huge as 8,662 kilos of rice in just a hectare of land. His previous harvests have not reached this far with 3,150 kilos of rice only.

Maca-ampa was one of the many farmers who was able to attend various trainings and seminars for farmers conducted by Maradeca Inc., the recent of which was the hands-on training on rice transplanting held at barangay Bayabao last February this year.

Maradeca taught farmers on using ‘straight row method’ in rice transplanting and the use of organic fertilizers to boost the farm under the program Sustaining Community Enterprises and Relevant Aqua-Agro-forestry Practice towards peace and community empowerment (SECURE-Peace).

Maca-ampa’s experienced encouraged other farmers in his town to follow the methodology he adopted.

``Its good to learn more from experiences as long as we want change for development,`` said Maca-ampa

The training on organic farming was facilitated by Maradeca Inc and supported by CARITAS-Australia.

Farmer proves organic fertilizer yield better harvest

Maradeca Inc. conducts series of Organizational Development Management Training (ODMT) for peoples’ organizations in three barangays of Lanao del Sur this quarter.

This training aims to enhance leadership skills among members of peoples organization; improve their skills in organizational management; strengthen their capacity for institutional development; and provided participants with basic approaches for organizational growth.

Beneficiaries of this program are barangays Sugod and Linuk of Madalum town and barangay Lumbac of Buadipuso-Buntong in Lanao del Sur.

Participants are representatives of Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR), Ompongan o mga Bae sa Ranao (OBAERA), and Mindanao Youth for Peace and Development (MYPD).

They shared their ideas during the workshops and were able to understand the meaning of leadership and leaders qualities. They also discussed on organizational decision-making, improving skills on managing conflict and about institutionalizing organizations.

Participants said that they will impart their knowledge to their neighbors and apply it to their actual situation.

“They are the bulwark for development and sustainability of an organization because they manages it. This training are made possible through the support of CARITAS-Australia,” said Sinab Ibrahim of Maradeca Inc.

PO reps attend dev’t management training

Maranao women joined farmers association. Maca-ampa shares pride with his organic farm Participants of organizational development management training share views during in a workshop

Reminding you to plant

trees and reduce risk of disasters.

Members of the Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR), an association of farmers in Lanao Sur conducted assembly in its nine chapters from August 8 to September 17, 2009.

There are 380 members of this organization from the nine chapters, including women. They were organized by Maradeca Inc.

The assembly aimed to have an organizational capacity assessment by revisiting the vision, mission, and its objectives. They also ratified their by-laws and elected new sets of officers.

Ibrahim Mama, provincial chairperson and a member of OTR at barangay Bayabao chapter, encouraged farmers to work collectively for their betterment and for the development of our community.

“Let’s perform our roles as members and officials in our organization and be the role model to other organization as well,`` he said.

OTR are engaged into several activities relating to livelihood.

It was established in 2002 and started with three barangays of Lanao.

Today, they have expanded to 12 communities.

OTR conduct ninechapters’ assembly


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