SARIMANOK PRESS CLUB LAUNCHES RADIO PROGRAM
Iligan City, Philippines
August 12, 2017
The Sarimanok Press Club, the most prestigious organization of Radio and Newspaper men in Marawi, Iligan, and the two Lanao Provinces, launched yesterday, August 12, a radio program aired 3:00 – 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon every Saturday over Radio Iligan 88.1 FM.
“Entitled ‘PAGHIUSA SA LANAO,’ the program aims to strengthen the bond that binds the people of Marawi, Iligan and the two Lanao provinces as demonstrated during the evacuation of thousands of inhabitants of Marawi and Lanao del Sur to Iligan and Lanao del Norte due to the crisis brought about by the Maute group starting on May 23, this year,” said Professor Masiding Noor Yahya, Club President.
It was pointed out that the people of the two cities and provinces are one regardless of tribe and religious belief since Lanao was once upon a time only one province.
It was also postulated that whatever be the religions of the people today, it is a common belief that all came from Adam and Eve who were created by one and only Almighty God.
Guest during the maiden broadcast on Saturday was Sultan Nasser D. Sampaco, Chairman of Marawi Sultanate League, Certified Public Accountant, Master in Management and Consultant on Muslim Concerns of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Muslim Concerns headed by Secretary Abdullah Mama-o, Office of the President, Malacanang.
Sampaco shared his thoughts on the present Marawi crisis and the enormous task of restoring the City.
He said it is important that the government should involve the traditional leaders of Marawi and Lanao in the great task as they are the ones who know well the cultural and traditional values of the residents of Marawi.
He also gave the information that already civil society organizations and other sectors of the Marawi and Lanao communities have submitted their proposals and that the three Maranaos in the President Rodrigo Duterte’s cabinet namely, Secretary Abdullah Mama-o, Mindanao Development Authority Head Abulkhayr Alonto and TESDA Director General Guiling Momondiong have made an initial meeting of the different groups who have demonstrated their interest and eagerness to cooperate in the Marawi Rebuilding process.
As chair of Marawi Sultanate League, Sampaco further took time to extend, on behalf of the people of Marawi City, his thanks and gratitude to the hospitality and generosity of Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia in welcoming and accommodating with open arms the evacuees from Marawi who are now in Evacuation Centers and homes of relatives in the City.
He assured the Mayor that he and the people of Marawi will help ascertain the peace and order in the City.
Moreover, he asserted that the Maute Group and their terrorist allies are not from Marawi City.
“The people of Marawi do not share the beliefs and sentiments of these terrorist groups. They want to live in peace and harmony with all peoples,” he concluded.
“PAGHIUSA SA LANAO” is hosted by Professor Masiding Noor Yahya, Professor Asa Madale of MSU and this writer.
The program is brought on air by Sarimanok Press Club in collaboration with Philippine Muslim Star, based in Metro Manila and the Ranao Star in Marawi City.
It is also supported by Aba Al-Khael Computer School and the Marawi Sultanate League. (TNRS)
