The Programs for the Cooperative Sector is currently laid down in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including the ongoing construction of a two-story Cooperative and Women Multi-purpose Building in Barangay Batulawan, Pikit, North Cotabato.
The project, worth P4.6 million, was included in the 2020 Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of the Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of Parliament Diamila Disimban-Ramos.
The Bangsamoro Ministry of Public Works (MPW) Maguindanao I District Engineering Office is the implementing agency, under the leadership of Minister Eduard Guerra.
According to MP Diamila Disimban-Ramos, this institutional project will be a great help and opportunity for the livelihood of each Bangsamoro.
“Through this, and with the help of our local government, you now have an institution you can rely on and will open more opportunities for you and your livelihood,” said Disimban-Ramos.
The Bangsamoro Legislator added that the current Bangsamoro Government led by Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Hajj Murad’ Ebrahim is reaching each and every Bangsamoro for they will be benefiting from the services and programs.
Some of the areas the Bangsamoro Government was focusing on are those under the Special Geographic Area which includes 63 barangays in North Cotabato including Barangay Batulawan in Pikit.
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) National Assistant Secretary Pendatun Disimban welcomed the said project for the Bangsamoro Cooperatives which has a great impact on community development.
“Kahit man tayo ay nagmula sa iba’t ibang lugar, pinili nating magsama-sama para sa iisang layunin. Ang proyektong ito ay may dalang napakalaking impact sa komunidad at ang lahat ay makasisigurado na ang building ay mapakikinabangan at maasahan ng taong bayan,” Disimban added.
Joining Disimban was his co-assistant Secretary Abdulsalam Guinomla and CDA Region 12 Director Amenodin Elias.
MPW Maguindanao District Engineer Avila Abobakar hopes that this building will bring development for the welfare of each resident of Pikit and Cooperative sector.
“Ang proyektong ito ay para sa ikakaganda ng kooperatiba at buhay ng mga tao sa Pikit. Insha Allah, ito ay sana magbunga ng magandang resulta para sa pag-unlad ng community dito,” added Engr. Abobakar.
Batulawan Barangay Chairwoman Bailana Matalam also expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Bangsamoro Government and to MP Ramos for this meaningful project.
“Halos lahat ng program sa Barangay Development Plan sa Batulawan ay nandito na, naibigay na rin samin. Kaya maraming salamat sa ating mga leaders sa BARMM pati kay Ma’am MP Jam [Diamila Ramos] sa lahat ng tulong para sa amin. Di namin ito sasayangin,” pointed out by Matalam.
Nasser Gayagay, representative of the LGU and the 63 barangays in Pikit, Cotabato, added that “this is now the time when all agencies converged to develop all areas in BARMM. This is the way for us to have equal opportunities so we can rise together.”
The groundbreaking ceremony of the said project was held last June 18. A similar Cooperative and Women Multipurpose Building also received a ceremonial groundbreaking at the municipality of Tamparan in Lanao Del Sur.
Meanwhile, another multi-purpose project is set to start in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao.
Last May, the Bangsamoro Lawmaker spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony of the TDIF Solar Powered Water System Project at Grand Mosque, Masiu, Lanao Del Sur which is just one of the many projects of BARMM in providing public services to the Bangsamoros.
The recent activity in June gave at least seven cooperatives from Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, and Pikit mini rice mill units with de-stoners and 10-KVA generator sets which was proposed by MP Ramos and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform led by Minister Mohammad Yacob.
Being a cooperative advocate, MP Ramos filed Proposed Resolution 331 in the Bangsamoro Parliament calling for the implementation of Section 24, Article XIII of the Bangsamoro Organic Law on the enactment of a Bangsamoro Cooperative Code.
