ARMM drafts development plan for better social services

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Regional department heads of the autonomous Muslim region have drafted a two-year development plan to improve the delivery of services to its more than four million constituents. A three-day meeting was held in Cagayan de Oro City last week aimed at renewing the programs for the region following the National Government's decision to suspend its former governor Zaldy U. Ampatuan, who was implicated in the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao. Ali G. Macabalang, the region's Bureau of Public Information head, cited the need to "reprogram and refocus" existing development programs and policies of the autonomous Muslim government, making sure that social services are felt on the ground. The two-year development plan will be tackled further for adoption by the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board (REDPB), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's highest policy-making body, Macabalang said. REDPB, he said, is composed of the governors of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; the mayors of Marawi and Lamitan cities; and top officials of the ARMM regional legislative assembly. The region is in the process of transformation, including reshuffling of secretaries, he said. — Darwin T. Wee, BusinessWorld