Gov’t calls for applications for ARMM OICs

Applications or nominations for the officers-in-charge positions in the regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is now officially open, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said that among the OIC posts to be filled up are regional governor, regional vice governor and 24 members of the regional legislative assembly.


Republic Act 10153 and Executive Order 51 issued by President Benigno Aquino III. effectively postponed the ARMM elections scheduled this month to May 2013 in time for the national and local elections, and created a screening committee that shall select and recommend the OICs in the region.

Robredo, who is a member of the ARMM screening committee, said that to be qualified for said positions, the applicants or nominees “must possess proven competence, integrity, reliability and probity.”

The other members of the committee are the Secretary of the Department of National Defense, the Presidential Political Adviser, a Civil Society representative and one LGU representative.

The DILG chief said that the applicants/nominees are required to submit their applications not later than 5 pm of August 26, 2011, thru the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Affairs and Special Concerns at the DILG central office in Quezon City.

He said that as part of the selection process, names of applicants will be published in the media before August 31. Then, from September 1 to September 11, the screening committee will conduct an assessment of all candidates and come up with a short list of three potential candidates for each position who will be subjected to media interview for public scrutiny.

Robredo explained that the three nominees/applicants will be ranked and separately endorsed to the House Speaker and Senate President, who will submit their respective recommendations for the approval and signature of President Aquino.

“To those who will be appointed as OICs, they have at least 21 months to prove their worth in leadership and governance; they could be removed from their posts if they fall short of what is expected of them; and I propose that each of them be barred from running in any elective post in the coming ARMM midterm polls in May 2013,” said Robredo.

Application and nomination forms are available for download at the DILG website at http://www.gov.ph and the Office of the President website at http://www.op.gov.ph.

The creation of the committee and the process of OIC selection were part of the agenda of the one-day Stakeholder Consultation cum Workshop on the Investment Support Program for the ARMM held yesterday in Davao City.

Among the participants were representatives of national government agencies; ARMM government counterparts; Mindanao Development Authority; the academe; ARMM-based NGOs; and delegates from business communities in the region.

Robredo said the designated ARMM OICs will be extended full support by the President through an Investment Support Program that aims to create enabling mechanisms to promote public-partnerships in economic development; institutionalize vital governance reforms in the ARMM Regional and Local Government bureaucracies; and increase the reach, access and quality of essential public services. DILG