To support the livelihood of Bangsamoro communities and heighten socio-economic development, three (3) cooperatives benefitted from the Ministry of Science and Technology – Special Development Fund Project through the Initiative for Development and Enhancement of Local Products (IDEVELOP).

On May 9-10, 2023, the MOST Inspection team, SDF team, and Commission on Audit representatives completed the sewing machine equipment handover to cooperatives in the Municipality of Shariff Aguak, Datu Odin Sinsuat – Upper Capitol, and Sultan Kudarat in Region XII.

The cooperatives that benefitted from the project were: Damakling PolCom Women Dressmaking Association, Lapok Initiative for Peace and Development, and Almustaqbal for Holy Quran Memorization. They are engaged in sewing and other equipment usage. These cooperatives, consisting of Bangsamoro women, were dedicated to using their skills to generate income for their families and community.

In a statement, Minister Silongan shared that MOST strengthened its efforts to provide livelihood assistance to Bangsamoro communities.

“Through IDEVELOP under the Special Development Fund, we are committed to providing technology intervention to our constituents to help them generate income for their families and gradually alleviate poverty in communities,” Minister said.

She also added that the MOST SDF project is not only focused on providing assistance in the region, but those Bangsamoros who reside outside the territory of BARMM can also benefit from the said project.

To support that statement, one of the beneficiaries of this project was from the province of Sultan Kudarat, Region XII which was the DamaklingPolCom Women Dressmaking Association.

“Masla a kapanginsukor e lekami ka kawma kami na BARMM saingalana Ministry of Science and Technology, kani Maam Aida, sukran abenal sa mga gamit anya a namakawma a masla e makangguna nin salekami a mga babay makataman kanu dalpa nami,” said Sittie Hawa Utto Mangindla of DamaklingPolCom Women Dressmaking Association.

[We are very grateful to BARMM for reaching us through the Ministry of Science and Technology, Maam Aida, thank you very much for handling this equipment that can contribute to our community and us.]

On the other hand, the Almustaqbal for Holy Quran Memorization of Upper Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, promised to make use of equipment to help support the needs of their students.

Furthermore, improving and promoting Science and Technology Services through Innovation/Product development utilizing the available agricultural and fishery products in the region will surely give the entire Bangsamoro “Mapiya Kapaguyag” (Good Living) by learning a trade, generate income, and recover the economy.

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[Information and Communication]