At least seven cooperatives from Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Pikit, North Cotabato received on June 11 their mini rice mill units with de-stoners and 10-KVA generator sets at the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) office in the city.
The said project including its recipients was proposed by Bangsamoro Member of Parliament (MP) Diamilah Disimban-Ramos and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR-BARMM) led by Minister Mohammad S. Yacob under the 2020 Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF).
“This program is in response to several consultations that our office has conducted in aid of legislation and in implementing meaningful interventions in order to uplift the living conditions of our farmers in the Bangsamoro Region,” said Ramos in her welcome message.
Ramos also emphasized the importance of adopting modern machinery and advanced technology to spark productivity, increase income, and generate employment.
She added that this will help not only the members of cooperatives but the members of the community as well which in turn will help spur the country’s economic growth and development which she said proves that cooperatives have a strong multipliers’ effect.
MAFAR Deputy Minister, Ammal B. Solaiman pointed out that Bangsamoro farmers are not mere beneficiaries but rather considered as active partners of the government because of their shared responsibility.
For his part, Deputy Chief Minister Ali Solaiman reiterated that the turn-over ceremony is not the end but rather the beginning of more meaningful interventions as there are plenty of plans, projects and activities geared to be implemented within the framework of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
Solaiman also reiterated the strong commitment of the Bangsamoro Government led by Chief Minister Ahod Alhaj Murad Ebrahim to support the agricultural sector, particularly the farmers for their significant contributions to the economy of the region.
Also present at the said event were MP Marjanie Macasalong; Representatives of MP Abdullah Macapaar and MP Maisara Latiph; CDA National Asec. Pendatun Disimban; Lumba-Bayabao Mayor Mahar Dagalangit; Sulhen & TJJ Representative Jefferson Chong; officials from MAFAR Central office.
The seven cooperative recipients include the 102nd Camp Saliwato BDE Farmers Producers Cooperative (Wato Balindong, LDS), Maribo Poblacion Farm Producer Cooperative (Lumba-Bayabao, LDS), Al Dida Marketing Cooperative (Marawi City), Taraka Modern Farmers Producer Cooperative (Taraka LDS), Al Jannah Producer Cooperative (Wato Balindong, LDS), Bangsamoro Youth Farmers Agriculture Marketing Cooperative (DAS, Maguindanao) and Ligawasan Development Catalysts Agriculture Cooperative (Pikit, Cotabato)
“Sana ay magpatuloy pa ang marami pang magagandang proyekto ng BARMM sa mga tao at (I hope these good projects of the BARMM for the people will continue and) Insha Allah, ito ay magpatuloy pa (this will continue) with their promise to deliver us moral governance,” said Mayor Mahar Dagalangit of Lumba-Bayabao, Lanao del Sur. (PNA)
