Some twenty-six (26) Bangsamoro Science and Technology Ministry personnel undertook Values Transformation Training (VTT) on March 6-10, 2022.

The five-day activity at the Grand Summit Hotel, General Santos City, aimed to train and orient newly hired permanent and non-permanent employees of the ministry on universal values and principles inclined to moral governance. This specialized program inspires Islamic values, builds moral character and discipline, and discourages dishonest practices in the bureaucracy, such as corruption, manipulation, nepotism, etc.

In the opening activity, Deputy Minister Edsel Mohammad Jilhano gave an inspirational message. He said that Bangsamoro employees must be good role models, improve their character, and strengthen moral values for their betterment and upholding the bureaucracy’s moral governance.

“As public servant, we should acquire and improve ourselves through spiritual learning and building a good character that will create betterment for us and the bureaucracy. Moral governance starts within ourselves and we should incline all our doings through it,” Deputy Minister said.

The three-day training focused mainly on topics such as Values transformation and Personal Values Clarification, the Concept of Islamic Values and Development in Moral Governance, Faith and its Articles, The Role of Faith, The Islamic Ibaadaat (faith), The Role of Ibaadaat in Developing Islamic Values, Applying Islamic Values in Moral Governance, and Islamic Values in Dealing with Non-Muslims. Nadheer Ismael, Norodin Sagadan, and Rosie Balambag discussed the above topics.

It also conducted a Halaqa, a religious meeting to study Islam and the Quran. The attendees participated in the discussions, asked questions, and voiced

concerns. It was held early in the morning after Fajr before Maghrib prayer time, aiming to stimulate the participants’ minds and souls by strengthening their faith and embracing what they have learned during the day’s training. It is also to apply the acquired learning points in their respective workplaces.

Sittie Asmah Lidasan, Project Technical Aide V, said that she acquired and developed a connection on learning Islamic values that will hone her character, improve her good work attitude in the workplace, and motivate her to grow spiritually.

“Nakadevelop po ako ng connection doon sa Islamic Values and nakapagbigay ito ng knowledge and good insights sa akin. Dahil sa VTT, na-realize ko na kulang pa pala at kailangan pa nating mag gain ng knowledge at i-motivate ang sarili ko na mag grow pa, vertical to spiritual aspect,” she said.

[I have developed a connection with Islamic Values ​​, which has given me knowledge and good insights. Because of VTT, I realized that there is still not enough, and we still need to gain understanding and motivate myself to grow more vertically to the spiritual aspect,]

Gwendolyn Mendoza, Accountant I, also gave her testimony in the conducted activity.

“I am very thankful that there is an activity like this, because we were able to participate and learn about Islamic Values, and we are able to share also our beliefs as non-Muslim. With this, we bridge the gaps so that we can achieve a harmonious workplace.” She said.

VTT focuses on upholding and revitalizing the employees’ faith and serving the Bangsamoro people with utmost commitment and dedication.

#MOSTUpdates2023

[Information and Communication]