PNoy lauds ARMM reforms

By Carina L Cayon

Thursday 21st of June 2012

DAVAO CITY, June 21 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the reforms that have been taken in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), citing in particular the region’s transparency and accountability program that aims to fight corruption.

Aquino, at the ARMM Convention on local governance held last June 20, Wednesday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City, said the reform agenda of his administration have brought positive outcomes in ARMM, giving recognition to the good governance of the local government units and the leadership of Governor Mujiv Hataman.

Aquino also commended the ARMM local government units (LGUs) for abiding by the recommendations of the Commission on Audit based on its evaluation in 2008 and 2009.

The President said every cent spent by the national and local government would now go directly to the services for the ARMM people, “imbes na sa bulsa ng iilan (instead of the pockets of few individuals).”

He added that ARMM LGUs have stopped releasing cash advances and have been following the correct process of bidding, adding that there are no more bloated transactions, and that abusive officials he=ave been held liable.

Aside from this, the President assured that schools are being put up in the autonomous region.

Hataman affirmed this as among the results of the ARMM reform undertakings that particularly addressed the corruption at the Department of Education (DepEd) in ARMM.

The governor reported in his presentation on ARMM reforms during the convention that the transformation has brought savings of about P237 million for DepEd’s mandatory operations and other expenses’ funds.

“Gaya po ng lagi nating bukambibig: Kailangan ang pagtutugma ng adhikain ng ating pambansa at lokal na pamahalaan upang pagtagumpayan ang ating mabuting inisyatiba (Like what we have always said: We need unity in our vision for our government, nationally and locally, to champion the good initiative),” Aquino stated in his keynote speech.

“Sagisag nga po ang pagbubuklod natin ngayon upang paigtingin pa ang ating mabuting pamamahala tungo sa makabuluhan at malawakang pagbabago sa rehiyon (Our assembly today is one representation that we are strengthening good governance for significant and extensive change in the region),” he told about 200 convention participants coming from the national government agencies, ARMM, and international sponsors such as the United States Agency for International Development and the Asia Foundation. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)