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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MARANAO PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC.

D Vol. 5 No. 2 July - October 2009
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M 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Ugnayan Tayo!” strengthen...
“Ugnayan Tayo!” strengthen
stakeholders’ tie for honest election
To strengthen coordination with government
agencies, a movement dubbed “Ugnayan tayo!” (Let’s
Coordinate!) was organized in provinces served by
the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform,
Inc. (CCARE).
The group is composed of representatives of
government and civil society organization.
“Maradeca Inc., as a partner, lead in convening
all stakeholders in Lanao del Sur,” said Salic
Ibrahim, executive director of said non-government
organization.
CCARE has a Local Democracy Council,
a coordinating body, that will conduct quarterly
meeting as stakeholders for “free, honest and credible
election by 2010 and to find resolution to electoral-
related problems.”
This council is composed of representatives of
Commission on Election (Comelec), Department of
Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD), National Statistics
Office (NSO), Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP),
Philippine National Police (PNP), Prelature of St.
Mary, DXSO, and Islamic Movement for Electoral
Reform and Good Governance (IMERGG).
In their recent meeting, the council assessed
the social preparations initiated by Citizens CARE
Provincial Management Committee for continuing
voters’ registration in ARMM in partnership with
the Comelec.
Page Stories
2 . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Ramadhan...
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Ballot, not bullet”
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evacuees in Madalum...
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramadhan encourage...
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community leaders learn...
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Learn without age limits
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Two barangays seek...
They also discussed the proposed Phase 3
Project of SEPVEEM-ARMM including its activities. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Children at Butig town benefit...
CCARE presented the output of the Pulong Tayo 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 children, 17 adults...
3 (Voters’ Education) conducted in several barangays 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maranao women to start business...
of Lanao del Sur. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Maranao farmers...
They also identified possible acts of irregularities
in the upcoming election as well as some possible 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OTR conduct chapters’ assembly...
preventive measures. 7. . . . . . . Farmer proves use of organic fertilizers...
Aquil Andog, education supervisor of DepEd in 7. . . . .PO reps attend dev’t management training...
Lanao Sur II-A said that most of the issues discussed 8-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Photos/Images
have already transpired in the past and could serve as
guideposts in their electoral campaign for credible
election.
Nasib Yasin, provincial election supervisor, also
“A Muslim is morally and
explained and clarified their functions in accordance spiritually strengthened to
to policies and system of Comelec. face the challenges of modern
Lacs Dalidig of IMERGG encouraged other
members of the council to follow the Hijrah’s “from
society, especially the changing
haram to halal” to uphold what is good. economy.”
“It is important to use Islamic doctrines in
solving our problems because our electoral problems
is akin to A(H1N1) virus that can spread rapidly,”
Dalidig said.
Fr. Chito Suganob, vicar general of Marawi
prelature and also member of the Parish Pastoral
Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said that
“the coordination meeting is already a pro-active
initiative to sustain the campaign for electoral
reform. 
 MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER editorial
2
Editorial Board DEVEL
Celebrating Ramadhan with prisoners
E 2009-2010 O
P L
SALIC B. IBRAHIM, editor-in-chief; SINAB DATU,

P
associate editor; MALANO M. MAI, managing editor;
EO

M
SAFIA DIMATINGCAL, feature editor; VIOLETA M.

EN
R AN A O P

GLORIA, news editor; ANAPOLA “Girl” DOLOGMANDIN,

T CENTER
layout editor.

CONTRIBUTORS
Jehan M. Ditucalan, Janifa Camama, Bolawan O.
MA

Mangotara, Diamond D. Tomo, Mahid M. Sacar, Mohaida

Sultan, Zoliaca R. Camama, Zenaida D. Usman, Rohania
H. Amer, Almaira Dibaratun, Azliah Espirola, Jabber A.
1999
IN

Camama, H. Ibrahim
C Mama, NadjebaEMaruhom, Sittie
O
Azliah Espinola, Jamalia T Adapun, Abdul
RPBaulo,
O RA
Sahria
Khaliq H. Alim and Salima Guro

MARADECA, Inc.
Office Address: Maradeca Inc., 092 Cabili Street, Lilod
Madaya, Marawi City, ARMM, Philippines Email add:
maradeca99@yahoo.com
Muslims and Christians serenaded prisoners during Ramadhan.
An elderly woman held the hand of a prisoner while youths
serenaded them
Visitors were curious to look into the situation of prisoners inside
the jail
Ramadhan is not just about a month-long fasting.
It is also empathizing with those who are taking the ordeal to serve their
penalties in jail.
With the spirit of solidarity, Maradeca Inc. in coordination with Prelature of
St. Mary in Marawi and Dansalan College Foundation Inc., conducted jail visitation
on September 13, 2009 at the provincial and city jails of Marawi City.
They visited the 60 prisoners of the city jail and 40 others at the provincial
jail.
Such has been part of the activities conducted annually by the Prelature of
Marawi and Maradeca Inc. as part of Ramadhan program. It aims to enlighten the
prisoners by making them feel that there are people who care for them even if they
are imprisoned.
Prisoners were provided with food and some goods for hygiene. They
serenaded them.
Most of those imprisoned are serving the penalties on cases relating to robbery,
murder, family trouble and rape. They’ve been unfree for 3 to 6 years.
Prisoners conveyed depression “because life is difficult without liberty.”
Their rights as citizens of this country can no longer be exercised and many of
those lifestyles they used to enjoy are already prohibited.
But as time goes by, they became accustom with their daily routines inside the
prison. They are able to build friendship with one another. They become family to
each other especially at difficult times.
The rehabilitation of those prisoners enhanced their spiritual lives because
they devoted their selves to prayer. This made almost all of them repent for their
sins.
These people, adjudicated as criminals, are usually victims of discriminations,
stereotypes and are socially stigmatized.
But it must be remembered that they are also human beings who should be
treated fairly and deserve Divine forgiveness.
Anyone can commit mistakes depending on pervading circumstances. Persons
differ only on their responses to problems encountered.
However, with faith, we can handle our burdens with cognizance to our reality
that “nobody is perfect.” 
 OPINION
“Ballot, not bullet”
“A ballot is stronger than a bullet”,
former president Abraham Lincoln of
America once said this adage.
Such has been tested true as violent
experiences during election happened
whilst sustaining the movement for credible
and honest election.
This is because endless electoral
controversies led to conflicts, feuds, and
even wars. People argue with prejudicial
views while taking side with politicians or
of an issue.
Worst, there are cases when conflicts
roused by partisanship result to violence
and death. Nobody wins.
This issue still affects us in Lanao
provinces. Everybody became interested
with politics. They misconceived politics
as gateway to success because it will give
them power to fulfill their dreams.
Cognizant to these challenges,
the Citizens CARE was established as
advocate for electoral reform towards the
empowerment of the Bangsamoro. It is
currently a partner of Maradeca Inc. for its
local advocacy on good governance.
Last August 17-19, 2009, partners have
Evacuees in Madalum, Wato
Balindong receive relief goods
Conflict-affected communities in the
towns of Madalum and Wato Balindong of
Lanao del Sur receive relief goods from
Maradeca Inc. with support from United
Nations Development Programme and Act
for Peace Project-StRIDE Mindanao.
The relief goods, though short-termed
in nature, helped the internally displaced
communities to meet their basic needs.
These consist of canned goods, sugar, oil,
detergent soaps and mats.
Residents of Wato Balinding and
Madalum were displaced due to armed
confrontations between government
soldiers and members of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) this year.
MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
3
evaluated its project dubbed Strengthening
Electoral Process through Voter’s Education
and Election Monitoring in the ARMM
(SEPVEEM)-Phase 2 at Regency Inn,
Davao City.
Participants were representatives of
Maradeca Inc. with the CCARE Board of
Trustees, heads of Provincial Management
Committee, Provincial Coordinators, and
some members.
They consolidated CCARE’s
accomplishments under the SEPVEEM
Phase 2; plan for SEPVEEM Phase 3;
conduct the tenth BOT Meeting; update on
the automated 2010 synchronized national
and local elections; come up with standard
voter education messages for Pulong Tayo;
and agree on issues that CCARE need to
have a stand as leading electoral reform
advocate in the ARMM.
The Citizens CARE aim to empower
Maranao voters and hope to quell pressing
concerns on “bribery during elections.”
Members believed that “only through a
vigilant citizenry that we can have a genuine
credible election of the country.” 
news
Reliefs were distributed last June 20,
2009 in barangays Salongabanding, Liangan
I and II, Abaga, Cadayunan Linuk, Sugod,
Bubong, Kormatan, Dandamun, Madaya,
and Dilausan of Madalum municipality.
“Displaced communities were
impatient to receive their goods,” said
Ibrahim Salic, executive director of
Maradeca Inc., explaining that “such depict
the impoverished state of these people.”
On June 28, 2009, relief operation
was done at Wato Balindong, Lanao del Sur
with the IDPs resulted from the current
clash in the area as the identified target
beneficiaries. 
 MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
4
Ramadhan encourage Muslims’
renewal for peace, unity
The holy month of Ramadhan is very significant for all
Muslims.
They all fasted for a month to cleanse themselves from
bad deeds and to offer their sacrifices with hope that Allah
will bless them and pardon them of their sins.
In this month, they forbid themselves to eat food and
drink water at day time and they’d wait every sunset before
they could enjoy their meals.
They also renounce biological wants and devote their
time for prayer.
Muslims all look forward to this annual religious
obligation to renew their commitment for peace and
unity.
Inspired by faith, Maradeca Inc., a non-government
organization assisting Maranao communities in Lanao,
conducted Ramadhan-related programs with its partner
communities.
They had religious activities that include reading and
recitals of Qur’an, Qaseeda (declamation), Azaan (call
of prayer), Qitaaba (Islamic preaching), Arabic/Maranao
Songs, and Mathlumal Am (question and answer) and
Wasiat (sermon).
These activities were done at barangay Linuk of
Madalum town, barangay Bayabao of Butig town, and
barangay Lumbatan of Buadipuso Buntong town.
Maradeca also sustain these activities in barangay
Sandab of Butig town, barangay Sugod of Madalum,
barangay Nanapun of Marawi city and barangay Dimapatoy
of Bubong town of Lanao del Sur.
Maradeca staffs with religious youths of Saint Mary
Prelature also visited prisoners at the city and provincial
jails during Ramadhan to provide them some food and
soaps for hygiene. They also serenaded them to make them
feel that they are cared for.
The month-long fasting ended in an Ed’l Fitr where all
Muslims gathered together and pray. 
feature
Participants to the Educational Tour at North Cotabato.
Community leaders study
conflict resolution at NorthCot
To enhance their knowledge on mediating conflicts,
community-based leaders from Lanao del Sur had a two-day
educational trip to Kabacan of North Cotabato on August 17-
18, 2009.
The exposure trip was participated by representatives
of Ompongan o mga Bae sa Ranao (OBAERA), Ompongan
o mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR), Mindanao Youth for Peace
and Development (MYPD), Maradeca Community Banking
(MCB) and Community Development and Management
Council (CDMC).
All of them are people’s organization assisted by Maradeca
Inc.
Participants were able to witness the vulnerabilities of
conflict-affected areas in Cotabato and also learned from
their experiences. They also had dialogues about the lifestyle
and livelihood of Maguindanaons.
At night, they were divided to sleep with selected host
families at barangays Dungguan, Pagalungan and Layog of
Maguindanao. They were assisted by Mike Alon, executive
director of Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives
(IMAN), a non-government organization based in Kabacan,
Cotabato city.
Uztadj Iskak, program officer of IMAN encouraged
them to “prefer dialogues in resolving conflicts than the use
of guns.”
Abdul Wahab, chair of CDMC based in Butig, Lanao
del Sur expressed gratitude and appreciated the warmth of
acquainting them to families in other conflict-affected areas.
Said activity is part of the peace-building program of
Maradeca and was supported by CARITAS-Australia. 
 news
One of the Maranao women-adult
who enjoys Maradeca’s literacy
program.
Learn without age limits
Like romantic relationships, learning for Maranao adults
doesn’t require age limits.
Thus, a number of Maranao women attend functional
literacy–-one of the programs of Maradeca Inc. for adults
who are interested to take alternative education and eradicate
illiteracy despite aging.
Functional literacy is a three-month classes aiming to at
least educate the adults on reading and writing readiness. But
what made this unique from other functional literacy is that as
farmers, they are also taught on the uses of herbal medicines,
proper use of organic fertilizers, understanding the different
road signs and the fundamentals of Arabic lessons.
After the success of functional literacy at barangay Linuk,
Maranao adults from barangay Lumbac, Buadipuso Buntong
town of Lanao del Sur take turn of enjoying the project and
graduated with new skills learned.
Jehan M. Ditucalan, education program staff of Maradeca
Inc. facilitated the classroom instruction.
Learners were very thankful for this opportunity of gaining
knowledge and confidence for themselves.
They also realized the importance of education in the
individual and encourage their children and grandchildren to
give importance their education as their foundation in life. 
MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
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2 brgys seek rehab, livelihood
Two pilot barangays from conflict-affected towns of Madalum
and Butig of Lanao Sur underwent rehabilitation planning to
improve their situation and sought livelihood assistance from
United Nations Development Programme, StRIDE-Mindanao
and Maradeca Inc, a non-government organization based in
Marawi city.
These are barangay Salongabanding of Madalum and barangay
Bayabao of Butig town of Lanao del Sur.
“In their planning, residents named the positive and negative
conditions they experienced for the past eight years in conflict
situations. They bared that they’ve been victims and displaced
by armed conflicts between the government soldiers and rebels
under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),“ said Salic
Ibrahim, head of Maradeca Inc.
“War devastated their agriculture and burned their houses,”
Ibrahim said. He however quickly pointed that the planning
session also tackled their concerns nowadays and how to improve
their livelihood.
“Most of the displaced communities wanted assistance and
provision of social services to fill their basic needs,” he further
said.
Said planning was conducted last June 19, 2009 and June 22,
2009 respectively. 
Children at Butig town benefit
feeding, psychosocial therapy
Children in the conflict-affected communities of barangay
Bayabao, Butig town of Lanao del Sur “will enjoy a supplemental
feeding and psychosocial therapy program” as part of the entire
rehabilitation of this community.
Salic Ibrahim, executive director of Maradeca Inc., said “it is
paramount to sustain the lives and dignity of these Maranao civilians
affected by the armed conflict between the government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in 2000 and in 2003.”
Ibrahim said that this project is being implemented by
MARADECA Inc. in partnership with Act for Peace-StRIDE
Mindanao from September to October 2009.
“The children are the most vulnerable and severely traumatized
in conflict situations,” he said, adding that “they are susceptible to
diseases due to malnutrition.”
The war deprived farmers their economic base, as they were
advised to evacuate.
“The feeding program will provide children with nutritious
foods,” he added.
Ibrahim pointed that social workers are also mobilized to
managed the psychosocial therapies within the period “to conduct
emotional recovery sessions for children and to enable them rise
from their violent experiences.”
Other kids from neighboring sitios were also motivated to
participate in the activities “as they enjoyed the games and activities.”
The feeding were also supported by women organization,
farmers, and youths-- partners of Maradeca Inc. (See photos at page
10) 
 MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
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21 children, 17 adults enjoy
literacy at Buadiposo Buntong town
Twenty-one children aging seven to
eleven years old and seventeen adults are
now enjoying alternative functional literacy
and daycare classes at barangay Dansalan of
Buadipuso Buntong of Lanao del Sur.
Pupils and the elderly are taught with
Maranao women start business
by making fruit jam
Maranao women cook jackfruit during a seminar workshop
on food processing
Maranao women decide to take-
off their small-scale businesses by
making fruit jam as alternative income
generation. from foreign partners like Caritas-
They were motivated to pursue this
after joining a seminar workshop on
food processing.
Those who participated this
activity are representatives of Maranao
Community Banking (MCB), youths and
members of Obaera from the barangays
of Bayabao in Butig, Linuk in Madalum,
Nanapun and Guimba of Marawi City
and Lumbac of Buadipuso Buntong in
Lanao del Sur.
It was conducted on August 17-29,
2009, prior to the month of Ramadhan,
so that they will be able to maximize
foundational education and basic literacy.
Buadipuso Buntong was chosen by
Maradeca Inc. as its pilot community on
alternative education because of its poor
condition and high percentage of illiteracy
rate.
It also lacked social services from the
government.
“The adult literacy class started on the
first week of September and will end by
November 2009 while day care classes will
end on February 2010.
There are 38 total enrollees.
Adult learners express gratitude to
Maradeca Inc. for this alternative education
that helped them develop their reading and
comprehension skills.
Maradeca uses a module on
their new skills learned.
They know now how to make
mango, peanut, jackfruit and pineapple
jams.
The training help augment their
income by utilizing their knowledge
on making jam for entrepreneurial
initiatives.
They also requested for the provision
of more food processing trainings to
enhance their knowledge.
Maradeca Inc. hopes that this project
could encourage more intervention
Australia.
One of the community members
from Guimba said “the food processing
training on different kinds of jams was
indeed a great help for the community
people.” 
news
fundamentals of writing and reading.
It also includes lessons on herbal
medicines, road signs and on how to make
organic fertilizer.
The latter lessons are intended for
adults-students who are dependent on
agriculture as their way of living. 
58 Maranao farmers to
benefit SusAg program
Fifty-eight farmers from two
Maranao communities in Lanao
del Sur province are identified by
Maradeca Inc. as their new partner
for sustainable livelihood and agro-
forestry programs.
“This also open doors and
opportunities to enhance the capacity
of stakeholders of agriculture and
in two Maranao communities of
barangay Cadayonan of Madalum
town and barangay Unda Dayawan at
Masiu town of Lanao del Sur.
Of the beneficiaries, 15 are
women. They were organized and
become members of Ompongan o
mga Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR.)
Recently, they underwent
orientation, organization of officers,
and crafting of policies for the election
of officers and policy formation.
Beneficiaries were thankful
to Maradeca Inc. for including
their barangays as its partner for
development. 
 news
Maranao women joined farmers association.
OTR conduct nine
chapters’ assembly
Members of the Ompongan o mga
Taribasok sa Ranao (OTR), an association
of farmers in Lanao Sur conducted
assembly in its nine chapters from August
8 to September 17, 2009.
There are 380 members of this
organization from the nine chapters,
including women. They were organized by
Maradeca Inc.
The assembly aimed to have an
organizational capacity assessment by
revisiting the vision, mission, and its
objectives. They also ratified their by-laws
and elected new sets of officers.
Ibrahim Mama, provincial chairperson
and a member of OTR at barangay Bayabao
chapter, encouraged farmers to work
collectively for their betterment and for
the development of our community.
“Let’s perform our roles as members
and officials in our organization and be the
role model to other organization as well,``
he said.
OTR are engaged into several activities
relating to livelihood.
It was established in 2002 and started
with three barangays of Lanao.
Today, they have expanded to 12
communities. 
Reminding
you to plant
trees and
reduce risk
of disasters.
Maca-ampa shares pride with his organic farm
Farmer proves organic
fertilizer yield better harvest
``Its my first time to harvest thousands
of kilos of palay with less farm inputs,``
declared Abdulwahab Maca-ampa, a
member of Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa
Ranao (OTR) based in barangay Bayabao
of Butig, Lanao del Sur that uses organic
method of rice-farming.
Maca-ampa has been farming for
many years and confessed that he has never
harvest as huge as 8,662 kilos of rice in just
a hectare of land. His previous harvests
have not reached this far with 3,150 kilos
of rice only.
Maca-ampa was one of the many
farmers who was able to attend various
trainings and seminars for farmers
conducted by Maradeca Inc., the recent of
which was the hands-on training on rice
transplanting held at barangay Bayabao last
February this year.
Maradeca taught farmers on using
‘straight row method’ in rice transplanting
and the use of organic fertilizers to boost
the farm under the program Sustaining
Community Enterprises and Relevant
Aqua-Agro-forestry Practice towards peace
and community empowerment (SECURE-
Peace).
Maca-ampa’s experienced encouraged
other farmers in his town to follow the
methodology he adopted.
``Its good to learn more from
experiences as long as we want change for
development,`` said Maca-ampa
The training on organic farming was
facilitated by Maradeca Inc and supported
by CARITAS-Australia. 
MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
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Participants of organizational development management
training share views during in a workshop
PO reps attend dev’t
management training
Maradeca Inc. conducts series of
Organizational Development Management
Training (ODMT) for peoples’
organizations in three barangays of Lanao
del Sur this quarter.
This training aims to enhance
leadership skills among members of
peoples organization; improve their skills
in organizational management; strengthen
their capacity for institutional development;
and provided participants with basic
approaches for organizational growth.
Beneficiaries of this program are
barangays Sugod and Linuk of Madalum
town and barangay Lumbac of Buadipuso-
Buntong in Lanao del Sur.
Participants are representatives of
Ompongan o mga Taribasok sa Ranao
(OTR), Ompongan o mga Bae sa Ranao
(OBAERA), and Mindanao Youth for
Peace and Development (MYPD).
They shared their ideas during the
workshops and were able to understand
the meaning of leadership and leaders
qualities. They also discussed on
organizational decision-making, improving
skills on managing conflict and about
institutionalizing organizations.
Participants said that they will impart
their knowledge to their neighbors and
apply it to their actual situation.
“They are the bulwark for development
and sustainability of an organization
because they manages it. This training
are made possible through the support of
CARITAS-Australia,” said Sinab Ibrahim of
Maradeca Inc. 
 MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
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MARADECA INC. NEWSLETTER
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