By Lou Ellen L. Antonio
MUNAI, Lanao del Norte (PIA) — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government extended its support to over 30,000 individuals at Camp Bilal, Barangay Tamparan, in this town through its Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG).
Project TABANG showcased the diverse humanitarian efforts and social development programs of the Bangsamoro government’s ministries, agencies, and offices, aimed at delivering essential services to Bangsamoro communities outside the core BARMM territory.
“Naniniwala ang Bangsamoro Government, na ang TABANG ay isa sa mga paraan para mas mapalapit pa ang gobyerno sa ating mga kababayan sa loob at labas ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Bahagi ito ng pagtatatag ng pundasyon ng moral governance sa ating mga komunidad, Muslim man, Kristiyano o Lumad, lahat ay kasama. Kaya ipinapangako namin na palalakasin pa ang aming mga programa sa inyo,” Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said.
(The Bangsamoro Government believes that TABANG is one of the ways to bring the government closer to our people both within and outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Establishing the foundation for moral governance in our communities, whether Muslim, Christian, or Lumad, is a crucial aspect. We promise to strengthen our programs for you.)
He said that even though Munai and Lanao del Norte are not part of the BARMM, the BARMM government has decided to extend aid to Bangsamoro communities outside the region. According to him, this effort not only brings public services closer but also introduces modern governance methods aimed at a progressive and bright future.
Through the project, Assistant Senior Minister and Project Manager Abdullah M. Cusain spearheaded the distribution of 5,000 sacks of rice, each weighing 25 kilograms, to the beneficiaries. Project TABANG’s Health Ancillary Services and the Ministry of Health (MOH) provided free medical consultations, circumcision procedures, and medicines to 3,874 beneficiaries. In terms of livelihood support, the project provided farmers and individuals with over 2,000 packs of mixed vegetable seeds, 400 sacks of corn seeds, and 400 sacks of fertilizers.
Abdullah “Commander Bravo” G. Macapaar, a Member of Parliament for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, highlighted the importance of bringing these services closer to their communities.
“Ang TABANG hindi lamang isang proyekto kundi isang simbolo ng ating sama-samang hangarin na pagaanin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayang Bangsamoro, lalo na sa mga labis na nangangailangan ng tulong. Ang proyektong ito ay patunay na natutupad at nailalapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga tao. Ito ay nagbibigay ng agarang tulong sa komunidad na patuloy na humaharap sa pagsubok ng kahirapan,” he said.
A beneficiary of BARMM’s Project TABANG carries a sack of fertilizer. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
TABANG is not just a project, but a symbol of our collective desire to improve the lives of our fellow Bangsamoro, particularly those who are greatly in need of assistance. This project demonstrates that we are fulfilling our commitment and bringing government services closer to the people. It provides immediate help to communities that continue to face the challenges of poverty.)
Moreover, beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the support. Samia Sultan, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude for the BARMM government’s support. She is elated with the corn and vegetable seeds and fertilizer they received, which will aid her family in farming their 2-hectare land.
Meanwhile, Anissa Dansal, whose family relies on farming, thanked the BARMM for the support they received. She was grateful for the seedlings, medical assistance, and vitamins.
“Daghang salamat kay natabngan mi ninyo. Daghagn beneficiaires ang nalipay sa BARMM,” she said.
(Thank you very much for helping us. Many beneficiaries are grateful to the BARMM.)
Additionally, other offices of BARMM provided different services. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications distributed 350 school kits to Tamparan Elementary School. The MOH offered medical consultations, circumcision operations, eye screening, and distributed reading glasses.
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs distributed 300 sacks of 10 kilograms of rice. The Ministry of Social Services and Development provided 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 bags of 25 kilos of rice, 1,000 boxes of food packs, and 20 water hand pumps. The Ministry of Labor and Employment distributed 300 sacks of 10 kilos of rice and 300 hygiene kits. The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) provided 200 sacks of 25 kilos of rice and an additional 100 sacks of 25 kilos of rice from the MPW 2nd District Engineering Office.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism offered free business name registrations. The Ministry of Science and Technology facilitated the distribution and display of various micro, small, and medium enterprises’ products, awarded 48 checks for the Bangsamoro Special Assistance for Science Education Program, and distributed brochures and information, education, and communication materials.
The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education provided educational supplies including 178 learner’s kits, 20 teacher’s kits, printers, wall fans, water tumblers, alcohol, staplers, flashcards, workbooks, and other materials for Tamparan and Panggao Elementary Schools, as well as additional supplies for kindergarten and madrasah students.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform provided 1,000 sachets of assorted vegetable seeds, 1,000 sachets of foliar fertilizers, fish nets, 250 vaccines for pets and farm animals, and rice. In coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-10, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources distributed 2,000 tree seedlings, as well as 300 sacks of 25 kilos of rice.
Beneficiaries receive assistance through BARMM’s Project TABANG. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
The Bangsamoro Sports Commission provided 250 assorted balls. The Bangsamoro Women Commission-Lanao distributed 100 dignity kits, each valued at P1,000. The Bangsamoro Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution distributed food packs. The Bangsamoro Development Institute distributed booklets. The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission Lanao del Sur Provincial Office provided legal assistance through a desk for consultations and referrals. The Support to Local Moral Governance provided five manual hand pumps and signed a memorandum of agreement for two covered courts.
A rescue team and ambulance were provided by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government/Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence. The project management office handled the logistics and preparations for the convergence activity at Camp Bilal, with support from the Rapid Reaction Team and other associated units. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
