GOVERNANCE/POLITICS

TACURONG CITY - About 500 youth volunteers from different municipalities, state universities, and colleges in Region 12 have gathered for the first time to support the SOCCSKSARGEN Youth Volunteer Forum which focused on the discussion of the importance of voluntarism in the region.

Regional Director Teresita Soccoro Ramos of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-12) led the discussion of different topics in front of the hundreds of youth volunteers.

COTABATO CITY --- The provinces of Sulu and Lanao del Sur got five brand new speedboats costing P12.5 million for rescue and relief missions, acquired through the efforts of five members of the Bangsamoro parliament.

The speedboats, powered with outboard engines made in Japan, were procured through the 2021 Transitional Development Impact Fund allocations of the offices of Members of Parliament Hadji Nabil Tan, Abraham Burahan, Musa Diamla and Eduard Guerra, via Transportation and Communications Minister Paisalin Tago.

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured the victims of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Mindanao that they would get assistance from various government agencies, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Marcos said rebuilding efforts would not be done immediately as aftershocks are still being experienced in parts of Soccsksargen, which covers South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday reminded youth officials to serve as examples of good governance.

The DILG chief's statement was released after the nationwide mandatory training for newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials nears full completion.

KORONADAL CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has launched the Electronic Certification for all TESDA’s National Certificate (NC) amid allegations of “NC for sale” in social media.

Deputy Director General for Operations Anecito John Bertiz III led the launching activity together with Executive Director for Certification Office Maria Susan Dela Rama, TESDA 12 Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar II, and TESDA 12 provincial directors.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte  – Military authorities have initiated separate dialogues with stakeholders of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE 2023) in a bid to help for the peaceful conduct of political exercises.

On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Nasser P. Lidasan, 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division assistant commander, also appealed for everybody’s cooperation to establish an environment conducive to the democratic process of electing local leaders in the communities.

MANILA – Senator Grace Poe requested on Friday concerned agencies and telecommunications companies (telcos) to make "selfies" a requirement in the subscriber identity module (SIM) registration.

To prevent more fraud and scamming, Poe said selfies or one's photograph taken by oneself, should be part of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

Project TuGoN, or Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit, of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism, validated the proposed business plans and locations of 115 former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

In a statement, the MILG said it took place in barangays of the Special Geographic Area and municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur from August 21 to 25, 2023.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has designated Major General Steve D Crespillo as the 17th Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).