COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 12, 2013) – President Benigno Aquino on Friday visited the seat of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato City in Mindanao where he was briefed on various peace and development projects.
Aquino listened to a 15-minute presentation that highlighted the performance of the region’s caretaker ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman during his 15 months in office.
Hataman said the bureaucratic reforms they have introduced yielded unprecedented savings and put a stop on influence peddling and other anomalous practices that have come to define the ARMM which is composed of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.
Hataman provided a rundown of ongoing projects and the overall status of reforming the institution that had been previously dubbed by Aquino as a “failed experiment.”
Hataman cited the P136 million savings generated by the Department of Public Works and Highways from its 2012 budget through fiscal prudence and the enforcement of open and competitive biddings.
The savings were used to procure 13 heavy equipment and 15 motor vehicles, including 9 survey instruments.
DPWH-ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain said the acquisition of those equipment was first of its kind in 22 years. “Wala ng palakasan, wala ng lagayan (No more influence peddling, no more bribery),” he said.
Hataman said the regional government no longer allows the hiring and promotion of employees based on influence or reasons that do not warrant their qualification. He said a special screening board has been set up to oversee hiring and promotion in the regional government.
Hataman, who is running for the regional gubernatorial post in the May polls, said the reforms they started are primarily meant to curb corruptions in the region.
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