Alliance local government staff train on basic news writing

Fatima A. Asjad, HR Staff from LGU Sumisip drafts her first news article
on the first day of the 2-day news writing workshop.

August 16, 2018, Zamboanga City – Select municipal staff of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) from the municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso, Sumisip and Tabuan Lasa gather at LM Hotel in Tetuan, this city. This two-day introduction to news writing workshop will run from August 16 to 18, 2018, facilitated by the “Modeling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan” (MILAB) Project and the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA). 

In his welcome speech, Mr Noor Saada, project manager, highlights the role of the MILAB project in capacitating the five municipalities towards their evolution into a functional inter-LGU alliance; and how this 2-day event will build staff competence in communicating their local government works, gains and plans on the worldwide web. 

Facilitating this 2-day workshop is Ms Frances Carreon, ZABIDA Communications Officer, who is in-charge of the ZABIDA’s website (www.zabida.org) and is also the editor-in-chief of the Peace Works, their quarterly newsletter. In her first session this afternoon, she explains the value of “advocacy journalism” and the basics of news writing as applied in development and advocacy works. 

MILAB is an 18-month funded project by the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) and implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with ZABIDA as NGO partner. The provincial government of Basilan and the Office of the Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are its key government partners.

Basilan newly-elected barangay captains orient on alliance building

Mayor Hani Bud (standing) explains the Western Basilan Alliance
to newly-elected barangay captains in the alliance municipalities.

August, 14, 2018, Isabela City, Basilan – Forty-seven (47) newly-elected barangay captains from the municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso, Sumisip and Tabuan Lasa converge today at the Querexeta Formation Center, this city, to be oriented about the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA). The orientation is facilitated by the “Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB)” Project.

In his presentation, Mayor Hanie Bud of Maluso detailed the evolution of the WBA and what this interlocal cooperation aspires to achieve and deliver. He emphasizes the role of local leaders as consolidators of local efforts. “Development is extra challenging for local governments dependent on internal revenue allotment (IRA); however, this can be mitigated with extra efforts in identifying tax collectibles, transparency in transaction and engaging tax payers proactively.” He cites his experience in Maluso, what took one year to collect is now collectible within the quarter.

Participants also engage in a workshop to bring ideas and perspectives from their end and wove it into emerging development focus of their alliance. Those from insular barangays focus on proposing marine-based livelihood; while those in the mainland focus on alternative and additional livelihood in view of the falling rubber prices, their primary crop, and the cocolisap infestation affecting coconut growers.

In his closing statement, Mayor Bud encourages participants to seize the opportunity of their new term to start fresh and right with the welfare of the community at heart.

The MILAB Project is funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) and is being implemented by the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) with the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) as the local NGO partner.