In her message of support, Chancellor Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona underscored the beauty of collaborative efforts of all partner agencies towards a common goal— to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro community. Further, she assured the participants that the University will remain steadfast in supporting peace-building initiatives.

In addition, MP Bai Intan Ampatuan, Chair GPh-MILF Joint Task Forces on Camp Transformation (JTFCT), BARMM, represented by Deputy Head Bryan Arevalo of JTFCT, shared that in December 2022, MP Bai Intan recognized the cultural richness of BARMM, prompting a roundtable discussion to address community needs. Further, Mr. Arevalo emphasized the famous quote, “Knowledge is Power,” highlighting the transfer of knowledge and the participants’ responsibility to take care of the project.

Likewise, Mr. Nelson Peloton, Jr., Project Manager of PROACTIVE, United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), represented by Mr. Chinot Adao, emphasized that their goal to build a peaceful community is not just providing agricultural implements, but also improving their lives. Moreover, he extends his gratefulness to the European Union (EU) for funding the project, with UNDP acting as the implementor.

Mr. Abdulkudos Balitok, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS), JTFCT Coordinator, expressed his gratitude for the support in choosing the barangay as the pilot project. He said that Brgy. Tugaig, Barira Municipality, was a victim of an all-out war in 1996, and that it is important to assist them in any way.

Ms. Jakiya Elino, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), is overwhelmed by the unity exhibited among various sectors and affirms their agency’s full support for peace and pursuit of making this project sustainable.

Furthermore, Mr. Khalid M. Hassan and Ms. Naima Marindag presidents of Gawad Kalinga Village Togaig Farmers Marketing Cooperative and Calagan Pamana Marketing Cooperative, respectively, wholeheartedly accept and convey the excitement of their members on the implementation of the project.

The project is in partnership with European Union, United Nation Development Programme, OPAPRU, JTFCT, MPOS, BDA, and Municipality of Barira. It was inked on October 11, 2023, at MSU-Maguindanao. The selection of the project site was guided by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU). Camp Abubakar is located 82.7 km away from MSU-Maguindanao, it bore the brunt of an all-out war during 1996.

The project has three (3) key components:
1. Training-Workshop on Soil Nutrition and Management
2. Empowering Communities Through Tilapia/Catfish Condo Farming (Aquaponics) and Advanced Post-Harvest Technology
3. Development of Training Modules.

Mabuhay, MSU-Maguindanao!

In unity, we rise!

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