PNoy OKs P8.58 billion for ARMM reforms

President Benigno Aquino III has approved a P8.59-billion funding for governance and development reforms in the poverty- and violence-torn Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). “We’re about to go full-steam ahead in instituting much-needed reforms in ARMM," said Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. “President Aquino is committed to transform the corruption-, poverty- and violence-torn region into a bastion of good governance, peace and development." Abad made the announcement Tuesday shortly after the Supreme Court ruled as constitutional the postponement of the ARMM elections and synchronizing it with the national midterm elections in 2013. The proposed ARMM Transition and Investment Support Plan is among the programs under the P72-billion disbursements acceleration plan for 2011, Abad said. “After being tasked by the President, the Cabinet is now finalizing a governance reform roadmap to be implemented in ARMM from now until June 30, 2013 when the next elected leadership of the regional autonomous government will assume," he said.

The ARMM Transition and Investment Support Plan focuses on solving severe poverty, high rate of unemployment, poor health conditions, poor basic education and poor governance in ARMM. It will have the following components:

Improving service delivery performance;

Creating an enabling environment for public-private partnerships towards equitable growth;

Improving public safety and security;

Reforming and strengthening governance capacities;

Cleansing the electoral system; and

Improving the legal framework for governance, peace and economic growth Abad noted that while details are currently being finalized, some of the programs and projects to be implemented under the plan include the construction of hospitals and rural health centers, procurement of health equipment such as ambulances, provision of school furniture and textbooks, construction of basic educational facilities and filling-up of teaching positions, provision of work for internally-displaced persons, implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, improvement of Halal food industry, and expansion of the provincial rubber seeding nursery, among others. “Through this plan, we hope to improve service delivery in ARMM, ensure peace, security and rule of law, provide a long-term foundation of economic growth, and institute transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governing the region," the Budget chief said. — KBK, GMA News