Maguindanao farmers to benefit from DA, BARMM’s P205.73-M worth of machinery

Cotabato City

Farming can now be easier and more efficient for Maguindanao farmers after receiving Php205,730,000.00 worth of machinery from BARMM’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and the Department of AgriculturePhilippine Center for Post -harvest Development and Mechanization (DAPhilMech).

In a ceremony held on March 14, at BARMMIARC, Simuay Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, a total of 105 farmers cooperative associations from Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur received 228 units of various agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities fromDA-PhilMech.

Funded under theRice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the distribution included a four-wheel tractor, hand tractor, floating tiller, Precision seeder, walk-behind transplanter, reaper combine harvester, recirculating dryer, mobile rice mill, and rice combine harvester, among others.

Undersecretary for Special Concerns and BARMM Engr. Zamzamin

Ampatuan, PhilMech Interim Director Joel Detor, Director for Agriculture Operations Engr. Ismael Guimel, Director Tong Abas of Research, Development, and Extension Services, and Maguindanao Provincial Director Dr. Ronjanin Maulana led the activity.

“Isa pong karangalan at hamon sa aming ahensiya na ang PhilMech ang trabahong itona pinagkatiwala sa amin ng ating pamahalaan, dahil instrumento po kami upang maihatid sainyo ang pinakabago, pinakamaganda, at tunay na mapakinabangan na makinarya,” Detorsaid.

“Sa ngalan ng paglilingkod sa mga bayani ang mga minamahal nating magsasaka, wala pong hinihinging kapalit ang aming serbisyong ito, sapagkat alam namin na nararapat lamang natapatan ang sigasig ninyo na upang mapakain ang nasa 114 million Filipino sa bawat taon,” headded.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao Provincial Director Dr. Maulana said: “Sa aming minamahal naming magsasaka, kayo po ang champion at pinakaimportanteng sector ng lipunan dahil kayo ang saaminghapag kainan.”

“Ang mga makinaryang ito ay makakatulong sa inyong pamumuhay ngunit hinihingi namin sa inyo na itoy alagaan at ingatan para aabot pa sa susnod na henerasyon ng mga magsasaka sa inyong lugar,” Maulanaadded

Moreover, MAFAR Director Guiamel emphasized the accountability and responsibility of the farmers in accepting the farm machinery by usingit properly tohelp them generate income(with reports from MAFAR-IO)

Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO

Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba outlined the legislative agenda of the BTA and the salient features of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, while Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Raissa Jajurie discussed the Bangsamoro OrganicLaw.

Resource speakers also discussed the role of the BARMM mediaintheparliament.

During the forum, the media were able to hear insights, ask questions, and share their perspectives with Atty.Jajurieand Atty. Dumama-Alba.

TheWestminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), in collaboration with the Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division, conducted the said forum. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

Resolution for early recovery of TS Paeng victims approved

COTABATO CITY The Committee on Social Services and Development convened on Wednesday, March 29, to discuss numerous measures that had beenreferredtothecommittee.

They approved a resolution requesting the Government of the Day to fast-track the implementation of an early recoveryprogram for all affected BARMM communities from tropical storm Paeng and direct all ministries and line agencies to extend the implementation of emergency reliefassistance.

A joint meeting with the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management will be scheduled, according to CSSD Chair Engr. Aida Silongan, to discuss the assistanceneeded and create a committeereport that will bepresentedin theplenary.

The proposed measures that would protect the rights of internally displaced persons in BARMM will also be the subject of public discussions by CSSD. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

Lawmakers introduced 8 bills on first reading on Monday’s regular session

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament in a regular session on Monday, Mar. 20, has introduced eightbills on first reading.

Among these proposed measures are the Bangsamoro Palliative and Hospice Act of 2022; the Bud Dajo Day Act of 2022; the BARMM E-Governance Act of 2022; the Small Farmer and Fisherfolk Scholarship Actof2022;theBARMMDigitalPublicLibrary Hubs Act of 2022; the Bangsamoro Green Building Act of 2022; the South Upi Municipal Hospital Upgrade Act; and the Bangsamoro Commission for Senior Citizens Act of 2022.

The Parliament also adopted a resolution expressing gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his continuing support and concern for theBangsamoropeaceprocess.

The session will resume at 1:00 p.m. the following day, Tuesday. (With story from (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)