COTABATO CITY — An agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is pushing for a livelihood program in poor areas of Maguindanao where communities are targeted for recruitment by extremist groups.
The ARMM-Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-BRIDGE) is now reviewing business proposals from Maguindanao’s 17 of 36 poorest towns for its residents to earn legitimate income and do away with extremism.
Aside from providing livelihood, ARMM-BRIDGE aims to extend water, electricity, shelter and food to impoverished communities in far-flung areas in ARMM.
ARMM comprises the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; and the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, both in mainland Mindanao, and the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
In a statement, ARMM-BRIDGE said it has started evaluating business proposals from villages in Datu Saudi, Talayan, Talitay, Datu Paglas, Montawal, Guindulungan, Ampatuan, General SK Pendatun, South Upi, Mamasapano, Sultan Sa Barongis, Pandag, Abdullah Sangki, Pagalungan and Kabuntalan towns in Maguindanao.
To provide economic empowerment to poor residents, ARMM-BRIDGE will raise funds for the proposed barangay businesses. Poverty, underdevelopment and illiteracy in far-flung areas make villagers easy prey of violent religious extremists put forward by Islamic militants who are experts in poisoning the minds of the locals against the state.
ARMM-BRIDGE focuses on the cooperative concept of establishing barangay businesses in far-flung areas, it said in a statement.
“The program aims to establish barangay cooperative businesses to promote religious and cultural solidarity among members,” ARMM-BRIDGE said.
It is one of the four components of the ARMM-BRIDGE’s “Apat na Dapat” approach in addressing socio-economic issues besetting poor Maguindanao communities.
Among the business proposals submitted for review were for small grocery stores, bakery, fishing, tailoring, food, and fruit juice production.
The agency also facilitated recently a three-day basic nutrition education campaign for residents of barangays in Maguindanao that are covered by its projects. The campaign aims to educate the local communities on proper hygiene, deworming, breastfeeding and proper preparation of healthy foods to ensure the physical fitness of children while pursuing elementary education. (PNA)
