Cotabato City – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government yesterday agreed to undertake a series of lectures and training on livelihood programs in the region starting January 2020.
The agreement came following the directive of President Rody Duterte to fast-track the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region emphasising that he only has over two years left in his Presidency.
He said that while he could assure unrelenting support to the development of the BARMM under his Presidency, he would not be sure of the fate of the region in the hands of the next President.
Addressing officials of the BARMM during the distribution of over 600 land titles to former rebel combatants, the President directed MinDA Chairman to focus on the agricultural development of the region.
Even before the President could issue the public directive, both MinDA Chairman Emmanuel Pinol and BARMM Interim Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim Al Haj have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Agreement by the first week of January for the implementation of a series of training programs on livelihood.
It was agreed that through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, MinDA will introduce programs to strengthen the Halal Program by teaching former combatants on cattle fattening, goat raising and egg and poultry production.
The propagation of Sorghum to supply feed grains for poultry and silage for cattle and goats will also be introduced by the MinDA in the BARMM provinces.
The first training session will be conducted in Sulu followed by Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Maguindanao and Tawitawi.
Several funding partners of the MinDA have already expressed interest in supporting the program, including Australia and the United States through the USAID.
Buyers of the produce have already been identified.
A Gen. Santos City-based food corporation has volunteered to buy and market the Halal products from the BARMM area.
(Photos by Samuel Ponsica, MinDA OC and the staff asst. of Undersecretary Martin Dino, DILG)
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