News and Stories (160)
QURBAN STORY: Sharing good food, sharing happiness on Eid
Written by BDA Communications
JUNE 30, 2023. / MAGUINDANAO-BARMM. In rural communities in the Bangsamoro Region, sharing of meals among neighbors is a common practice that speaks of the generosity and compassion of communities to each other. This tradition has been observed since the time of our ancestors and has been passed on from generation to generation, up until now.
With the recent celebration of the Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), the spirit of sharing has been felt further by hundreds of families in some communities in the Bangsamoro who received free Qurban meat.
Qurban meat are from the sacrificed animals (goat, sheep or cow) that were offered in honor of the divine act of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience and faith to Allah s.w.t.
Every year, this act of worship is performed by Muslims around the world who has the capacity to provide for any of the said animals, which meat are distributed to poor families.
This deed has become relevant to sustain the teaching on the importance of sacrifice and sharing in the name of faith.
The family of Tima Mispil Engkas, 29, a mother of eight in Barangay Kedati, Talayan, Maguindanao Del Sur, is among the beneficiaries of the Qurban Program where they received free meat.
Farming is the source of income of the family to survive the day-to-day life.
Tima was not able to attend school so there is no permanent job for her. She is a full-time housewife taking care of her eight children.
Her husband cultivates corn and rice. While waiting for harvest season, the husband drives a pedicab to earn income.
In receiving Qurban meat, Tima expressed gratitude being delighted of having something special to serve for the family during this time of the year.
According to her, the family usually celebrates Eid Adha with “tapay”, a traditionally prepared fermented rice common in the province of Maguindanao in BARMM. This is consumed and shared together after the Eid prayer.
This Eid, Tima prays for forgiveness of their sins and asked Allah for the blessings to the family.
Despite the challenges in life, Tima remains hopeful for a better future for her children.
She hopes for assistance from the Bangsamoro Government and for the development of their community.
Also, from Maguindanao, is a mother named Fatima Uyag of Brgy. Upper Taviran, Kabuntalan.
She has three children whom she looks after since they are still young and small.
The husband is a fisherman and sometimes works as a construction worker.
The family struggle to have enough food on daily basis.
"It is painful to see our children in this state, but we are used to this life condition”, Fatima said.
They can only eat depends on what is earned for a day. There are even times where there is none at all.
However, Fatima is still thankful because her family is happy being together.
The family is also a recipient of free Qurban meat on Eid’l Adha.
Fatima was very happy saying that they only get beef when there is Qurban on the neighborhood or as sponsored by some organizations.
"We are happy and excited every Eid'l Adha because this is the only time, we can eat beef." Fatima stated.
She added that “if not for this free Qurban meat, we could have not spent our Eid with any special food because we cannot afford it”.
She sends thanks to the donors who give Qurban meat.
“May Allah reward you all and increase your wealth so that you can help more poor people like us”, Fatima conveyed.
The distribution of Qurban meat to thousands of families in selected communities in the provinces of Maguindanao (del Sur and Norte) and Lanao del Sur was facilitated by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), as part of the implementation of Qurban Program 2023 from June 25-30.
This year, the program is sponsored by partners from Turkey like Turkiye Dyanet Vakfi (TDV), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH) and Weltweiter Einsatz für Arme (WEFA.
TRANSFORMATION AND HOPE BEHIND BARS thru Bangsamoro Scholarship for TVET with values training
Written by BDA Communications
MAY 2023-COTABATO CITY. For some whom we met and talked with for a while, the program gives them hope in life despite being detained in jail for a crime committed.
This is through the Bangsamoro Scholarship for Technical Vocation Education and Training (TVET) of the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) BARMM.
Sixteen persons deprive of liberty (PDL) benefited from the program and have undergone training on Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM NC-II).
Under the program is the integration of the Values Transformation Training (VTT), a three-day activity that promotes and teaches faith-based values towards self-change and personality development.
The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) facilitated the VTT for the PDLs on May 2-4, 2023 at BJMP Cotabato City.
“We are very thankful for giving us this opportunity. We are confident that when we will be freed, hopefully, we have this knowledge and skills that we can use to get a job or earn income for our family”, a PDL said.
Enlightened by the teachings during the VTT, the PDL stated “I admit that when I was outside, before being here in jail, I spend mostly of my life for worldly desire. Here, I was enlightened, through this program”.
According to the jail officer in BJMP, they plan to conduct similar activity for the PDLs monthly and shall coordinate with the BDA Inc., who is official facilitator and resource person of the VTT.
It was in 2019 when BDA Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the TESD of MBHTE-BARMM for the implementation of VTT intended to instill the importance of faith-based values as foundation in developing a mass of individuals, professionals and leaders in the Bangsamoro.
RAMADHAN IN BANGSAMORO: Foreign food packs bring joy and ease to Bangsamoro families on holy month
Written by BDA Communications
APRIL 26, 2023. In the low-land and marshy village of Barangay Balong, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), fifty households have just returned home from months of stay at the evacuation centers, and are currently struggling to recover and rebuild their lives from the effect of recent armed conflict due to rido (clan feud) in the place.
Sittie Guiadel, 55, a mother of eight in the village, told us their story of rising up from the said calamity and how are they living right now.
“Livelihood is affected because of what happened. Fishing and farming (a primary source of income to many) become difficult because many of our men are still not confident to go out because of safety and security”, Sittie stated.
She recalls the days at the evacuation center where they were not able to bring anything because of fear during the conflict.
“We have nothing. We can only rely from the assistance handed to us. We are thankful that there were people and organizations who immediately acted to our needs during that time”, she told.
Sittie’s family and many of their neighbors found refuge to nearby barangays where they stayed over three months while the armed conflict was happening.
When they return, a month ago, it was hard to recover and bring back to the natural state in the community.
“The experience was tough. It is still fresh for us, being in that situation. Livelihood were interrupted. Education of the children was affected. Some men who joined the battle were dead. Some properties were destroyed”, Sittie said.
Sittie and other neighbors have recently received food packs (25 kilo of rice, three kilos of sugar, oil, and coffee) as part of the program during the holy month of Ramadhan.
They expressed their gratitude for this blessing that bestowed upon them in this time of crisis in their lives.
“Shukran for this ridzki (blessing). We really need help because we are indeed in a difficult state, right now. We hope and pray for your help”, Sittie pleaded.
Meanwhile, in the nearby town in Brgy. Upper Taviran, Kabuntalan in the same province, Tarhata Midzakal, 26, lives by her family of four: two young kids and her husband.
Tarhata does laundry in the neighborhood where she earns money to help sustain the family. Her husband is a carpenter and a fisherman, both a low-income type of job.
"Life is very difficult. My husband is a fisherman and sometimes, there is no catch for him to bring something for the family back home”, she stated.
Her husband would do carpentry works if there is no chance for income from fishing.
For Tarhata, it would be a lucky day if someone from the neighbors ask her to do a laundry where she gets P150.00 pesos per basket.
Aside from the less chance to get a regular job, Tarhata cannot leave her children yet since they are still young, who needs immediate care from their mother.
She was very thankful for the food pack received and hopes that there will be more to come.
For her, it is a big blessing that will help her and the family during this Ramadhan.
This food items, according to her, can last a month for her family.
Abdulraof Gumising, 37, also in the same village is thankful as beneficiary of the food pack.
He has four children. He is a fisherman from which he earns barely enough for his family.
Abdulraof’s wife is a full-time mother, taking care of the children.
Sometimes, his wife would sell local goods, but most of the time would prioritize the little kids who are still young.
Abdulraof shared how hard life is, especially when he has nothing to bring home for his family.
"Whatever I earn a day, I just make it work. What hurts most is whenever there is no catch to sell for income”, he stated.
He is deeply grateful for the food packs received during this holy month, that can sustain the needs of the family for a number of weeks.
This year, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) has delivered 200 food packs for Ramadhan 2023, in selected communities of Cotabato City and Maguindanao province. It is sponsored by the Weltweiter Einsatz fur Arme (WEFA), a partner foundation in Turkey.
Every year, BDA Inc. implements Ramadhan Program, through provision of food packs to poor families in the Bangsamoro Region. This program has become helpful for the family-beneficiaries to supplemental to their daily needs, which are usually barely enough or lesser due to poor life conditions.
BDA RAMADHAN GATHERING: Reconnection and renewal of bonds towards path to Allah
Written by BDA Communications
Ramadhan is a holy month in Islam. It is when Muslims perform the 4th pillar of Islam. It is the month when the doors of jannah are opened. It is when rewards to good deeds are multiplied.
In this blessed month, employees and volunteers of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) got together and broke fast together on April 7, 2023 at Em Manor Hotel, Cotabato City.
Everyone was joyful for this gathering of past and present volunteers of BDA Inc., who have met once again now that many of them are already working in various ministries and offices in the Bangsamoro Government and in different private institutions and outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In his message, Dr. Rizaldy Piang, current minister of the Ministry of Health (MOH-BARMM), was grateful for the chance to see each other again, and for the time given by everyone to gather in this activity.
“This meeting is relieving like the good old times. We thank those who came from a distance”, Dr. Piang stated.
He added, “Let us strive to improve our bond for the sustainability of the Bangsamoro Development Agency.”
Ustadz Mohammad S. Yacob, member of the parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrariar Reform (MAFAR-BARMM), highlighted the achievement of the BDA as an agency recognized for its capacity as stated in its slogan “building people who will build the nation”.
“BDA has produced professionals who are among those, helping the current Bangsamoro Government, one is through the Values Transformation Training (VTT)”, Minister Yacob remarked.
He added, “VTT becomes the strength of BDA to remain standing because it is relevant to the advocacy on moral governance by the Bangsamoro Government.”
Yacob recognized the commitment of volunteers that is relevant to the sustainability of the BDA, as agency of the MILF.
He further encourages the BDA family to remain positive and that they, who are in the Bangsamoro Government now, are open to listen and help the agency.
“Do not be hesitant to approach us, because we are family”, Yacob ended.
For many, the gathering was indeed a reconnection for those who have seen each other for the long time.
Hashim Manticayan believes that this is very effective because brothers and sisters in this family meet each other again and relieve the past.
Guiamaludin Sampulna, is also glad for the chance to see each other in this event.
“The knowledge we have and the place we are at present is all due to BDA”, he stated.
Rhadzni Taalim, the current executive director of BDA Inc. is pleased and touched by the attendance of everyone.
With this gathering, BDA Inc. is more motivated to pursue the plan for a general assembly of BDA Family.
BDA is a development arm of the MILF established in 2002 and has emerged as duly registered non- government organization in 2019 with the official name, BDA Inc.
Over the years, it has been working for the relief and rehabilitation of underserved communities guided by its core values towards sustainable service in the Bangsamoro.
IP WOMEN IN UPI, MAGUINDANAO: Cultivating land and planting seeds of hope towards better life
Written by BDA Communications
MARCH 2023/ UPI, MAGUINDANAO-BARMM. Coming from uphill village of Brgy. Romongob, Upi, Maguindanao, these group of women who belong to the indigenous people (IP) sector get together regularly to plant a seed of hope towards better life for their families.
They are organized through the project SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Intervention in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition, in desire to help improve their access to basic services wherein they were provided with skills training on vegetable production, a potential livelihood for local economic development, and is suitable with the good soil and weather condition in the area.
Bellalyn Dalimbang, 36, is a mother to two children. Her husband works as security guard in a local hospital while she, does planting with some farm animals.
Rebecca Arig, is a widow providing solely for her children. Perlita Dominggo provides for her two children who are both schooling. Erma Labaydaga, 54, has two children studying in college. Liezel Sariguit has the same story prioritizing the education of their kids.
All of them have the same vision for their children to finish studies. They hope that there will be available educational assistance because according to them, it is really hard to provide for the school fees.
“We really hope for support like scholarship. Usually, we can afford their education from elementary to secondary, but it is really hard when they reach college because there are many fees to settle which is hard for us”, these mothers stated.
In joining their group for this project, all have the same response that is in hope to get support for better life, especially for the education of their children.
“We are poor, life is difficult. We really hope that our children will complete their studies because that is their chance to better future”, they said.
These women group are thankful for being part of the project, wherein they are continuously learning new techniques in planting, where they get source of income for their families.
Some of them are coming from remotest part of the village, walking three- hours to reach their vegetable production site in Sitio Kulati of Romongaob.
“It is hard but we are willing to sacrifice and be patient in hope that we will soon reap the fruits of this labor”, the IP women remarked.
Under the SUBATRA-ECSO Project, vulnerable groups such as women and IPs are prioritized to receive assistance. One of this is the support on skills training from which they are provided with necessary capacity building relevant towards social enterprise development.
For the group in Brgy. Romongaob, beneficiaries underwent training on vegetable production with the Magungaya United Farmers Association, Inc. as service provider and resource person.
Overall, there are six IP communities covered by the project. In Romongaob, 90% of the eighty identified beneficiaries are Teduray.
SUBATRA-ECSO is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
SUPPORT TO NORMALIZATION IN BANGSAMORO: Cooperatives in camp communities get assistance towards transformation and progress
Written by BDA Communications
COTABATO CITY/ March 31, 2023. Cooperatives in communities within the identified camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) received farm machineries as part of the support relevant to assist them become more productive and progressive members of the society.
In Brgy. Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur- Camp Bushra, the handover ceremony of 2 units of farm machinery with harvester was on March 29, 2023, as received by two cooperatives namely Bangsamoro Unified Team into Growth (BUTIG) and Poktan Bangsamoro Rehabilitation Farmers Marketing Cooperative.
In Brgy. Dungguan, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao- Camp Rajamuda, the hand-over ceremony happened on February 28, 2023.
Kudal- Dugguan Farmers Fisherfolks Association received one rice combine harvester machine.
“I thought of how can I help those in-need, so I pursue forming this association though my knees are getting older” Margian Dataya stated. He is the president of said association.
The barangay local government unit remarked that: “We are very glad that the community focused on development at the barangay level through the efforts of our community dwellers because we crave for development.”
In Brgy. Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte- Camp Bilal, the handover ceremony was conducted on March 7, 2023.
There were two cooperatives who received the support namely Pagnawan Bangsamoro Agriculture Cooperative and Alhajj Bravo Macapaar Coperative.
Key officials from partners attended the event like Cesar D. De Mesa, executive director of the Bangsamoro Transition; BGen. Cesar B. Yano (Ret.), GPH Implementing Panel Chair for then GPH-MILF Peace Accord and; Dir. Farrah Grace V. Naparan, chief of staff of the Joint Normalization Division of OPAPRU.
Also present were officials from the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT), Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC), local government unit, and community members.
“Let us help each other, we will continue supporting communities who also help themselves” Chairman Yano said.
“Our project PROACTIVE is under the normalization track. It covers the six major camps and are working to turn these communities into a peaceful, productive and developed communities” Melanio Adao, Project Analyst of UNDP stated.
The ceremony highlighted the passing of the responsibility to the cooperatives who will manage the operation, maintenance and sustainability of the machineries.
The provision of farm machineries is part of the intervention relevant to the Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment (PROACTIVE)- a collaborative programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP – Philippines) and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) under the European Union Framework for Assistance to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Mindanao Peace and Development Programme - Peace and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MINPAD-PD BARMM).
BRIDGING THE GAPS, BECOMING THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE TO BARMM- Restating the role of CSOs in support to the Bangsamoro Transition
Written by BDA Communications
MARCH 16, 2023/COTABATO CITY. In September 2021, the project SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing CSOs Capacities towards Inclusive Development Intervention in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition was successfully launched and has formally kicked off for its full blast implementation.
The project generally aims to contribute to peaceful transition in BARMM and works for the Component 4 of the entire SUBATRA Programme that is on “Justice and Society Project- The capacity of civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is enhanced.”
Now on its second year of implementation, the project wanted to evaluate its performance and partial result particularly in the aspect of engaging the Bangsamoro CSOs to enhance their capacities as they fulfill their relevant role towards peace and development, especially in the current transition in the Bangsamoro.
For this purpose, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) as implementing agency of the project gathered its partner CSOs on March 10, 2023 at Pagana Resto in Cotabato City for a story telling about the experience and evaluation of the SUBATRA-ECSO.
For the League of Bangsamoro Organization (LBO), a network of over 600 CSOs established in 2014, the project is helpful in enriching the knowledge of CSO members. Its member organization, the TABED (Talainged Alliance of Brotherhood for Empowerment and Development, Inc.) headed by Baddy Ebrahim replicated the training on human rights and integrated risk and resilience management to its members.
Efren Butuan of LBO through his own organization, the Bangsamoro Magungaya for Peace and Development, Inc. (BMPDI) lauded the BDA Inc. for its transparent implementation of the SUBATRA-ECSO.
Amir Hamza S. Mama of the LBO- UNYPAD (United Youth for Peace and Development) in Lanao del Sur conveyed that the training attended from the project was helpful for his professional growth.
“The book on project development and management was indeed helpful for us. It has become our reference when we do project proposals. Also, by having one of the participants to the development of manual on HR, I was asked to join and help in our office for the formulation of the manual with our current project”, Amir stated.
Florante Dela Cruz and Maria-Victoria Balatucan of Raja Mamalo Descendants of Southern Philippines, Inc.- a non-government organization established for the welfare of indigenous people, are convinced that the project has helped them reach more IPs that they could not do before.
“Through the SUBATRA-ECSO, we were able to realize our dreams, to reach those communities we could not visit due to some limitations of our organization” they reported.
Representatives from the Taga Youth Concerned Association from the island of Basilan said that their organization is established to help youth be enlightened about the importance of education and be prevented from the threat of being recruited to armed groups prevalent during the past years.
Tawab Kararon manifested that all its pioneering members are all professionals and working in various fields at present.
“Taga Youth continue to organized youth in our community to train the next generation with social activities like the civil society”, he said.
His colleague, Arsim Alih believed that CSOs are the voice of the people to speak with the government.
Baiselyn Utto and Nashiba Abas from the Kapagawida Development Services Association, Inc. (KDSAi) are grateful that the training on human rights through the SUBATRA-ECSO helped them become more equipped with knowledge and information that enable them to respond to common questions at the grassroots level.
They are likewise glad that with the engagement for the implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) wherein they can use their experience to cater the needs of those sectors in the camp communities.
KDSAi commended the fair selection of learners for the implementation of the ALS in the camps.
“It was really based on the list of learners from previous project and not based on personal recommendations of camp leaders”, they stated.
The Ittihadun Nisa Foundation, Inc. (INFO) manifested that they looked up at BDA Inc. in terms of capacity building. The trainings provided through the project was relevant to them particularly on administrative and financial management, which they adopt for accounting and documentation.
Overall, partner CSOs for this project hope that more assistance will be available to serve more communities. They believe in the significant role of the CSOs in the current transition in the Bangsamoro having established the trust and confidence of the people.
“People put their trust more to the CSOs compare to government. They saw that CSO-implemented projects become a reality, while many of government funded projects are often delay or not completed at all”, partner CSOs reported.
In September 2021, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim recognized the relevant role of the CSOs: “CSOs have played an important role in the Bangsamoro peace process. The CSOs were vital in the eventual passage of the legislation calling for the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Period. That alone speaks highly of CSOs power and capacity to make lasting social change”.
SUBATRA-ECSO is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
Hopeful women in Tawi-Tawi sell native delicacies to help promote and preserve culture in the island
Written by BDA Communications
(MARCH 6, 2023/ TAWI-TAWI-BARMM). Eddinaira Mercera, 31, is a housewife and a mother of two living in Brgy. Malacca, Panglima Sugala Tawi-Tawi.
Her husband died in 2022 and together with her mother, she struggles to provide for their family by managing a small sari-sari store in their community.
Eddinaira is also working hard to pursue with her education and is hoping to become a teacher one day.
When her husband died, she chose to continue the battle in life.
"I will continue to fight because this is our Qadr (fate). What I am looking right now is my children, because they are all I have and they are my strength," Eddinaira said.
As one active woman in their community, Eddinaira joined the organization of women formed in the village when the SUBATRA-ECSO Project came in 2022.
SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing Civil Society Organizations’ Capacities for Inclusive Development Interventions in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition is a project that provides inclusive assistance to vulnerable groups in the communities across BARMM that includes the women and the widows.
At first, Eddinaira was a secretary to the organization and has been elected as president of the group.
The organization has recently undergone skills training from the project wherein hey learned about processing of native delicacies.
"We chose to make native delicacies because we know one day it will be known not only in Tawi-Tawi but in different places”, she remarked.
Eddinaira was in tears and was repeatedly expressing gratitude because the women in their community were given an opportunity to become more productive.
"We are very happy because, through this, women in our village will have more freedom towards progress”, she said.
Meanwhile, Tarhata Haraji from Brgy. Pasiagan in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi is also delighted by the learning acquired from the skills training.
They also learned about preparation of native delicacies that are unique in this island province.
"We want to introduce these native delicacies, especially now that the province of Tawi-Tawi is receiving more tourists where we can sell and generate income helpful for our families”, Tarhata said.
According to her, the process is known to some senior members of the community but they wanted to learn more especially for the young generation to promote and preserve these traditional dishes such as lara-lara (sili-sili), batang buruk, jintan, panyam, panganan, bawlo, hantak/kukus, doughnut-doughnut, jah, tapa-tapa and tok-ki.
Life in Tawi-Tawi is simple, most of the people's occupation is fishing, planting, and harvesting seaweeds is common source of income in the island province of Tawi-Tawi.
Through the SUBATRA-ECSO, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) is hoping to help these communities maximize their potentials by using available resources locally towards social enterprise development.
BDA Inc. is coordinating with BARMM agencies for more support to these local organizations to improve further their operation and become more sustainable.
SUBATRA-ECSO is being funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Social enterprise development in BARMM, a relevant support to current Bangsamoro Transition
Written by BDA Communications
February 15, 2023. The concept is to assist the locals in each village by producing goods out of the raw materials available in the community, which can result to potential source of income helpful for their families.
Since November 2022, 510 individuals (85% of those were women) from 18 barangays across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have undergone trainings on various enterprises through the support of the project SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Intervention in Support to Bangsamoro Transition.
In Brgy. Balakayon, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, SGA-BARMM, Fatima, who is leading the group happily reported that they have already initial savings from producing and selling banana products after the training in November 2023.
Women in Brgy. Tumbras, Midsayap, Nort Cotabato, SGA-BARMM is producing various goods from freshwater fish abundant in their community being near by the marsh.
In Brgy. Looy, South Upi, Maguindanao, indigenous people (IP) group have already worked for land preparation for their vegetable production. Seedlings will be ready for planting after twenty days.
Group in Brgy. Mataya, Buldon, Maguindanao worked together in making herbal soaps out of plants available in their village.
Groups in two villages in Tawi-Tawi completed trainings on native delicacy production on February 6-12, 2023.
“We are grateful that despite the distance, we received this support from this project wherein we will be able to help our husband provide for our family. This assistance does not end here today, it will remain significant for us, forever that is why we are very thankful”, one woman from Tawi-Tawi said.
Two villages in Sulu learned about coconut processing. In Basilan, cassava processing and banana processing.
Women group in Lanao areas opted to improve their learning on palapa (a local spicy condiment common among M’ranao) processing.
Trainers to the said various trainings were service providers accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (TESD-MBHTE-BARMM), to whom the BDA Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2022.
Part of the support provided during the training were complete package of supplies and equipment per enterprise group that served as start-up capital towards sustainability.
BDA Inc. is currently coordinating with BARMM ministries for further assistance to these POs like registration, business training, organization development, among others.
The project is also looking forward for a product expo of the produced goods of these women groups during the planned donors’ forum by first week of March 2023.
SUBATRA-ECSO is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
High hopes in Tawi- Tawi, with BARMM’s road projects, relief assistance, available flights, other dev’t. aids
Written by BDA Communications
September 12, 2022. Amilhamja U. Sarael, 37, is a tricycle driver in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. He lives by his wife and three children.
Amilhamja once worked in Malaysia for better sustenance of his family. However, soon enough, he decided to go home to be with the family.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Amilhamja’s family felt the difficulty. From a daily income of Php 1, 400.00, he only gets 300 pesos, a smaller amount to provide the needs of his family.
One day, Amilhamja couldn’t help but cry over their situation. He could not provide well for their children, and sometimes he could not go with his tricycle because there is nothing to pay for fuel.
With the current recovery from the pandemic, this father of three is glad of the gradual improvement in their place. Public vehicles are not anymore limited thus increase in number of passengers, and income for Amilhamja as tricycle driver.
"I'm happy because I see that my children are happy, too since now, they get what they need”, he stated.
Amilhamja told that situation in the province gets even better with the availability of more flights to and from Tawi-Tawi.
“There are more tourists, there are more commuters, so we get higher income”, he said happily.
Flight to and from Cotabato and Tawi-Tawi opened in June 2022 that is significant for eco- tourism boost in the Bangsamoro region, particularly for this remotest island province.
Another father is Saridjil Enggi, 40, who shares his lost during the pandemic and the fire incident in their public market in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
He is a mango vendor, providing for the needs of his family with seven children.
Saridjil is fine with his noble work as fruit vendor.
According to him, life was good because he can sustain for the family. It was during the pandemic happened when they felt the hardship.
He used to get income from Php 300.00 to 500.00 pesos every day before the pandemic. But during the crisis, he only has 100.00 each day. There were few buyers, some people have left.
This situation got worse when the fire incident happened in the public market where Saridjil sells fruit.
He is among those who were relocated for selling due to the fire, that affected his sale.
“My regular buyers have a hard time looking for me to buy, so the income decreased”, Saridjil told.
Nevertheless, Saridjil was thankful because of the assistance received from the Bangsamoro government during that time.
"We received food and financial assistance, so somehow we felt the hope to continue with our life”, he said.
Saridjil also told us of the concrete road in their barangay constructed by the BARMM, which made the transportation easier for everyone in the community.
He shared gratitude and high hopes that despite living in an island province, the Bangsamoro Government is not forgetting them.
BARMM has turned over multimillion peso worth of projects in remote island towns of Tawi-Tawi province in July this year, for the improvement of government services and also of economic growth in this part of the Bangsamoro Region.
Meanwhile, employees of BARMM under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) in the BaSulTa (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) recently underwent Values Transformation Training (VTT) facilitated by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), the development arm of the MILF established in 2002, that has emerged as duly registered non-government organization in 2019.
Also, for Tawi-Tawi, are two of its barangay (Pasiagan, Bongao and Malacca, Panglima Sugala) are selected for the project SUBATRA-ECSO “Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Interventions in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition”, being managed by the BDA Inc. Under this, vulnerable groups in each village are targeted for social services, human rights advocacy, social enterprise development, community- feedback mechanism, and among others.
One human rights training participant expressed thanks for the education on HR, recently conducted by the project.
“We are lucky to be chosen for this training. Most of us do not know about HR. We thought that to live is enough already”, she said.
Another participant told that “We learned a lot from this training. Through this, our lives may change. We can make our lives better, compare to what we are used to. There should be equality”.
For the project activities in Tawi-Tawi, BDA Inc. is working with the League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO) through its member organization UNYPAD.
SUBATRA-ECSO works for the Component 4 of the SUBATRA Programme that helps BARMM lay the foundation for lasting peace and development in the region by strengthening the capacities of its institutions to establish an enabling democratic governance environment during the transition period.
The Project generally aims to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure and inclusively developed Bangsamoro. It specifically intends to enhance the capacity of the civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to BARMM.
It is funded by the European Union (#EU), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (#AECID). (R.Adam)
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Bangsamoro CSOs and their capacities to contribute to a peaceful transition in BARMM
Written by BDA Communications
September 6, 2022. In Bangsamoro Region, the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in peacebuilding is highly recognized and is evident by the visible actions of these organizations at the grassroots level, urban areas, published at the local media, online and offline.
In a message during the Project Launch of the SUBATRA-ECSO on September 30, 2021 via zoom, Hon. Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, interim chief minister of BARMM recognized the important role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in advancing the peace process and in achieving peace and development in Bangsamoro Region.
“CSOs have played an important role in the Bangsamoro peace process. The CSOs were vital in the eventual passage of the legislation calling for the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Period. That alone speaks highly of CSOs power and capacity to make lasting social change”, Chief Minister Ebrahim said.
With the Bangsamoro Government currently on its extended transition period, various Bangsamoro CSOs remain committed to support and contribute to the peaceful transition in the region. In September 2021, the project Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Intervention in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA-ECSO) kicked off with the intention to strengthen the efforts of these CSOs to help with the on-going evolution in the region long been affected by years of conflict and uncertainties.
Different CSOs operating the Bangsamoro joined hands and agreed to deliver the services needed by the vulnerable sectors in the communities of BARMM. The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), the development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) established in 2002 that emerged as non-government organization in 2019, is the leading organization for the SUBATRA-ECSO. For the project, BDA Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with the following CSOs. The collaboration with each CSO is based on their field of expertise and experience through the years.
The League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO) is tapped for the objective on raising awareness about BARMM projects and the rights and obligations of its people. The all-women organization named Ittihadun-Nisa Foundation, Inc. (INFo) is helping the project specifically on interventions targeting women and children.
Particular assistance for the indigenous people in BARMM is being carried out together with the Rajah Mamalo Descendants of Southern Philippines, Inc. (RMDSP). The Kapagawida Development Services Association, Inc. (KDSAi) is partnered for the management of Alternative Learning System (ALS) in camp communities.
CSOs in the island province of Bangsamoro are also being collaborated for the project. Tagah Youth Concern Association is tapped for their capacity and experience on organizing and establishing youth who are among the target groups identified for this project. The Kabalikat Civicom will help on risk management trainings, especially in the islands.
Support to Bangsamoro CSOs
For the SUBATRA-ECSO Project, BDA Inc. is facilitating various activities that are all geared to help enhance the capacities of the various Bangsamoro CSOs to become more efficient and be able to contribute to peaceful transition in the BARMM.
Together, numerous activities were already conducted during the first year of the project namely, project management and planning, data gathering and consolidation, module development writeshop on human rights, communication skills training and planning workshop, and training of trainers on human rights.
From these trainings, partners CSOs expressed gratitude for the learned knowledge and skills that they can apply as they perform their respective duties in their organizations.
Working together for SUBATRA-ECSO
The project is about to complete its first year of implementation, from September 2021 to September 2022. Looking back, BDA Inc. has documented major accomplishments for the Year 1 of the project as enumerated below:
- Profiled vulnerable sectors at the community level for provision of services
- Oriented indigenous people (IP) groups on the significance of backyard gardening for sustainable living
- Organized and trained Community Human Rights Advocates across BARMM
- Organized BDRRM Team at the target community across BARMM
- Developed training manual on basic human rights in Bangsamoro
- Established coordination and communication with BARMM ministries/ offices/ agencies and with the Bangsamoro CSOs
- Linked with BARMM’s Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) and Bangsamoro League of Information Officers (BLIO)
- Formulated the communication plan dubbed as “Para Sa’Yo Bangsamoro” with the objective to help restore the trust, confidence and faith, so that support to peace and development is sustained
- Developed a digital application dubbed as CM-ACTS or Community Monitoring and Actionable Concerns Tracking System for the community-feedback mechanism in BARMM to help connect the Bangsamoro Government to its people.
- Helped disseminate information about BARMM programs and services thru social media and radio program
- Coordinated with the Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) for understanding and support of the project
- Formulated the common monitoring framework for projects on Normalization in 6 MILF major camps
- Coordinated MBHTE and BALS for the Alternative Learning System and Skills development for transitioning combatants. MOA yet to be signed.
- Planning, project management and development, values transformation, data collection and consolidation, Community Enterprise Planning Technique, writeshop on basic Human Rights manual, communication skills and planning, training of trainers on basic human rights, others
During the Year 1, BDA Inc. has been with the RMDSP, collaboratively reaching the IP communities for determining their priority needs, promoting backyard gardening, social enterprise development, others. INFO with the Social Welfare Committed (SWC) of the MILF has helped the project during the meeting with women sectors across BARMM. LBO is working with the BDA Inc. for reaching the communities in Maguindanao, SGA-BARMM, Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi. KABALIKAT Civicom has been accompanying the project during activities in the communities of Sulu. Taga Youth is a partner for interventions in the villages of Basilan.
Peacebuilding in Bangsamoro
Speaking of peace in the Bangsamoro requires one to understand the history of the Bangsamoro struggle that have caused the protracted conflict in the region through the years. The call of the Moro’s for the right to self-determination rooted from the historical injustice committed to their ancestors since the 1970s. The foundation of notable revolutionary groups all asserting for the right to self- determination first the MNL, then the MILF manifested the strong determination of the Bangsamoro to achieve a type of a government that is responsive to the ideals and way of life of the Moros. While the rest is history, the peacebuilding efforts in Bangsamoro has been pushed by various actors and stakeholders that has already gained the attention and support of the international communities.
With the Bangsamoro Government already working, these efforts shall be sustained and further strengthened because peace does not end here. The BDA Inc., with the CSOs long been running before the establishment of BARMM is more committed to support the current transition in the Bangsamoro. It is the fact, that peacebuilding is not a government responsibility alone, it requires everyone’s cooperation and support.
The implementation of various development projects must be sustained to complement the BARMM as it undergoes transition until it fully operates as one whole government with well-established policies and laws. By working with the CSOs, the thrust on peacebuilding becomes more collaborative and inclusive, which shall contribute in achieving peaceful transition in the Bangsamoro.
Connecting Bangsamoro through digital community feedback mechanism in Support to Bangsamoro Transition
Written by BDA Communications
July 5, 2022. For a newly established Bangsamoro Government, how does it listen to its people? Same way, how does the people connect to its government?
With the advent of technology in the present generation, it is indeed significant to modernize manners of communication and connection. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a digital application is being developed to strengthen and support the Bangsamoro Government’s effort to bring the government closer to the people, with the use of technology that speaks of the transparency and competitiveness of the Bangsamoro, towards progress and peace.
This digital platform is called CM-ACTS (Community Monitoring for Actionable Complaints Tracking System).
CM-ACTS, reflects the unified voice of the Bangsamoro all with one common aspirations as people with identity, education, honor and faith.
Through this app, it is expected that flow of information from the grassroots level will be speed up for immediate response and action of concerned BARMM office.
“This intervention is helpful for the information officers of BARMM to fast track the collection of information from the community”, one BARMM employee said.
On June 27-29, 2022, information officers and focal persons from BARMM ministries and attached offices/ agencies gathered for the CM-ACTS Training for Web Administrators and Managers at Cotabato City.
Through the activity, participants learned and understood about the digital app and were allowed to share their comments and suggestions to further improve the CM-ACTS.
Resource person from the third-party service provider of the CM-ACTS discussed the development of the digital app.
Atty. Gilbert Sembrano, team leader of the SUBATRA Justice and Society Project (SJSP) Technical Assistance Team (TAT) provided guidance during the activity.
It is expected that CM-ACTS will be officially launched on the last quarter of this year.
Developed through the partnership between the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), and Office of the Cabinet Secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister- BARMM, this digital application is in relevance to the project: Enhancing CSOs Capacities towards Inclusive Development Intervention in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA-ECSO), specifically for Output 4.5 Awareness of communities about BARMM projects is raised, including their rights and obligations under BARMM.
SUBATRA-ECSO generally aims to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure and inclusively developed Bangsamoro.
It is funded by the European Union (EU) and the and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
SUBATRA-ECSO works for the Component 4 of the SUBATRA Programme that helps BARMM lay the foundation for lasting peace and development in the region by strengthening the capacities of its institutions to establish an enabling democratic governance environment during the transition period.
The women, widows and orphans of Buliok Complex, 17 years after the 2003 war
Written by BDA Communications
PIKIT, SGA-BARMM/ JUNE 6, 2022. Talking about life in Buliok, Pikit of the Special Geographical Areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Saida Abdulrahman, 45 cannot help but cry. Five years ago, her husband, a combatant was shot to death leaving his family of six.
Together with six other women in the village, whom we spoke with during our visit on May 3, 2022, Saida shared to us their living condition before BARMM.
“Before, we do not get assistance frequently compare to present days, now that we are part of the BARMM”, Saida told.
“We are grateful for the BARMM. We have received many help from them. As a widow, I received monetary assistance, from which I bought goats for raising to augment our livelihood. Our family is also a recipient of food supply as flood-affected community”, she added.
Musrifa Sandigan, 33 is a former OFW. She returned home during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein the situation was hard.
“I am lucky that I was among those who benefited from the land ambulance that fetched from the airport”, Musrifa stated.
The said ambulance is from the Ministry of Health (MOH-BARMM) funded through the Office of the Parliament Member Hon. Ali O. Salik.
As a former OFW, Musrifa likewise received cash aid from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member Salik through the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD).
Gemma Caludin, 50, from Antique embraced life in Brgy. Buliok years ago, when she met her husband in Manila. They got married and went home in Buliok. They have three kids. The husband is among the decommissioned combatants of the MILF.
The family of Monera Milog, 37, is a beneficiary of the cash for work program of the MSSD in 2021 with the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Buliok. The project is the construction of dyke that helped to the flood control in the area.
Noraida Mangagi, 47, has six children whom sustained through farming. Sarina, 40, is also a mother, with three children. The family rely on farming and fishing for living.
Monera Tumampal, 55, was emotional while sharing the story of the death of her child away from home in year 2021.
Accordingly, for some reason, local authorities from the place of incident would not give the cadaver of her child. Through the help of MP Salik, with the use of the ambulance, the family was able to bring home the body and was given a proper burial based on Islamic tradition.
These women are all beneficiary of the assistance from BARMM and the Office of MP Salik such as the food supply, cash assistance, road project, medical aid, land ambulance, school building, others.
The infamous Buliok, is a historical place popularly known as Buliok Complex, a war that happened in February 2003. It was where the late chairman of the MILF Hashim Salamat (May Allah have mercy on him) was doing a preach outdoor during the Eid’l Adha (feast of Sacrifice) prayer when they were attacked by government troops that led to the that battle.
MP Salik, recalls that after the war, Brgy. Buliok became a ghost town. “People were able to return there, more than a year after that incident”.
Now, as one of the key officials of the transitioning Bangsamoro Government, MP Salik works to help and serve the Bangsamoro communities by legislation with services at the grassroots level.
At present, the village is a recipient of one- classroom school building, one unit for the two elementary schools in the barangay; the Buliok Elementary School in Purok 3 and Dagadas ES in Sitio Dagadas, all in the same barangay, through the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) with the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) facilitating the construction.
A fish landing is also being built that is relevant for the fisherfolks towards a better facility.
Brgy. Buliok, situated in a low-lying area surrounded by rivers connected to Liguasan Marsh, is composed of five sitios. It is a home to over a thousand Maguindanaon households. Before BARMMe road to the village was rough and difficult. With the project of the Bangsamoro Government through the MPW, that provides one- kilometer road for every barangay in the region, Brgy. Buliok now enjoy better road for easier transport.
Grateful of the progress in the community, Brgy. Buliok shared worries about the effect of climate change in their lives. Accordingly, flood becomes often in their village and the schedule is uncertain. This has affected the farming and fishing activities, which are the main source of living to many.
“Years ago, it floods maybe once or twice a year. We have certain and abundant harvest from farm. Fresh water fish are plenty. But now, failure of crops is often and there is rare fish being caught”, Sarina told.
Before the BARMM, the villagers informed us of the development projects coming in to their barangay. The covered court built through the project of the Provincial Local Government Unit of North Cotabato.
The infrastructure was constructed in year 2018 at the place that was massively destructed during the war in 2002.
A water system project was provided for the households in Buliok, implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) with funds through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTF-RDP/2), in support to the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Looking back and looking forward, these women of Buliok pray for a long-lasting peace in Bangsamoro and for all.
“We pray that this peace and development continues as life gets better for everyone. We also hope that abundance in agriculture and fishery may flourish again because it is our life.”
The youth and young professionals of Buliok
Shaira Salik,24, who is from barangay proudly said that among the villages in Pikit, Buliok is producing numerous Bangsamoro professionals who excel with their respective careers. Shaira is one presently working as Political Affairs IV under the office of BTA Member Salik.
Orphans Abjmylle Salik and Murnisa Bandan, 13, are also hopeful professionals from the barangay.
Abjmylle,11, wishes to become an engineer to help her family. She has two heads of goats that she is raising from the cash assistance she received from BARMM. Murnisa was speechless during the interview as she suddenly missed her late father.
Maarrouff Salik, is a civil engineering student who has been helping us through the interview in May 3. His love for his home village is visible through his deep knowledge and understanding of the history, current situation, and the plans of the barangay.
For the women, widows, orphans and youth of Brgy. Buliok, life in the past may be dark, but with the Bangsamoro Government at present, life becomes peaceful and there is high hope and prayer for better tomorrow.
Social enterprise development for vulnerable groups in BARMM in support to Bangsamoro Transition
Written by BDA Communications
June 17, 2022. The Bangsamoro Region has rich resources potential for economic development. People are hardworking. However, significant factors are there challenging the wish to become economically stable and sustainable.
In belief of this capability on economic progress in the region from the grassroots level, series of community consultations were organized across the provinces of BARMM including camp communities and indigenous people (IP) communities.
Participants to the consultations were women and widows. During the activity, participants shared information about the available raw materials potential for enterprise development. The process allowed them to identify and decide about the local enterprise that the project might support to help supplement their regular family income.
The process employed was the community-based enterprise planning technique (CEPT).
This effort to develop social enterprise at the community level is part of the on-going implementation of the SUBATRA-ECSO (Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Interventions in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition), specifically for target output on helping improve the access to basic social services and social protection projects of vulnerable/marginalized groups in Bangsamoro.
Under the project, a social enterprise group is organized upon identification of their target produce for marketing. The project will provide them the necessary skills and training with the help of a third- party service provider. Tools and equipment needed for the enterprise development will also be afforded to the beneficiaries.
The plan is to help the people appreciate the available resources at the community level and utilize those materials, produce into saleable products from which they can have additional source of income to help their families.
The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) is the implementing office of the project together with partners civil society organizations (CSOs) such as Raja Mamalo Descendants of Southern Philippines, Inc., Ittihadun Nisa Foundation, Inc. (INFO), MILF Social Welfare Committee (SWC), Taga Youth Concern Association (Basilan), KABALIKAT Civicom (Sulu) and League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO for Tawi-Tawi island).
BDA and partners believe that providing communities with the skills and equipment motivates them to become optimistic of better life. It teaches them of self- reliance, resourcefulness and unity.
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SUBATRA-ECSO works for the Component 4 of the Justice and Society Project of the SUBATRA Programme that helps BARMM lay the foundation for lasting peace and development in the region by strengthening the capacities of its institutions to establish an enabling democratic governance environment during the transition period.
The Project generally aims to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure and inclusively developed Bangsamoro. It specifically intends to enhance the capacity of the civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to BARMM.
It is funded by the European Union (#EU), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (#AECID).