(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 165 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan (12.3N, 118.7E) It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to ITCZ. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Southwest to West will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Friday, 10 November 2023

PBBM approves commemoration of 650th year of Islamic presence in PH 

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman lauds President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for officially signing an Administrative Order (AO) constituting a steering committee for the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage.

As a Mindanaoan and the only female Muslim cabinet member of the PBBM administration, Secretary Pangandaman expressed her gratitude toward the President as the creation of the committee will be crucial in continuously recognizing the presence of Islam in the country and the important role of Muslim Filipinos in shaping our history and heritage. She likewise assured of her continued and strengthened support for Mindanao.

"I thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing the Administrative Order constituting the Situmiayat Wakhamsun Aldhikraa National Committee which shall take charge of the preparations for this celebration even as early as now. Wala pang isang taon, napirmahan na ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr ang Administrative Order. Dito mo makikita na kay Pangulong BBM, hindi kailanman mapapabayaan ang Mindanao,” Pangandaman said.

She continued, "Rest assured that the Committee, chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the NHCP as vice-chair and with DBM as one of its members, will undertake the overall study, conceptualization, and implementation of programs and projects relevant to the commemoration with the end goal of reinvigorating the spirit of national unity. Sa Bagong Pilipinas, makaka-asa po kayong lahat na bibigyang prayoridad natin ang Mindanao."


Also known as project "650PH in 2030," the initiative will mark the 650 years of Islamic presence in the Philippines in 2030. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) targets to drumbeat its commemoration in 2024.

Philippine Muslim History scholars agree that the beginning of the Islamic faith in the country took place between 1350 to 1380, making Islam the oldest monotheistic religion in the Philippines with close to seven million practicing the faith.

The President's signing of the AO coincides with the celebration of the 643rd Sheikh Makhdum Day and the Unveiling of the Historical Marker of the Sheikh Makhdum Mosque in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi today, 07 November 2023, where Secretary Pangandaman was also invited to grace the occasion, together with NHCP Chairman Emmanuel Calairo.

"It is especially meaningful for me to be present here today as a Muslim Filipina to personally honor Sheikh Makhdum, whom we remember and thank for being the missionary who brought Islam to the Philippines, which led to the building of this first-ever mosque in the country here in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. This Mosque symbolizes the introduction of Islam to the country, and its pillars—which have remained intact for centuries—are a testament to our people's rich history," the budget secretary said in her speech.

She likewise emphasized that the commemoration, further made remarkable by PBBM's support to Muslim Filipinos, is in line with the administration's goal to foster unity in the country amid diversity.

"This project intends to highlight the Philippines as a multicultural country that acknowledges pluralism, and where religious tolerance and inclusivity thrive — all of these leading to the idea of unity amid diversity, which will help fulfill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s campaign for national unity," Pangandaman said.

"650PH in 2030" shows that there is true beauty of unity in diversity. It's a reflection of how faith can bring people together, add value to human life, and peace-building, which is a basic principle of Islam," she added. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)