COTABATO CITY – After obtaining capability development training from the Ministry of Labor and Employment, ten (10) workers’ associations from Cotabato City signed memorandum of agreement with the ministry Friday, Feb. 3.
Under the Special Development Fund for the fiscal year 2021, beneficiaries of the Bangsamoro Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Program (BEEDP) will receive the first tranche of the livelihood grant amounting to P75,000.00.
The MOA explains the responsibilities of the beneficiaries. These are to ensure the sustainability of the project, to utilize the fund base on the approved project proposal, and to ensure participation of all members of the association on the operation of the business/enterprise.
Labor Minister Muslimin G. Sema who spearheaded the MOA signing, emphasized the program is part of the gains of peace process that have been achieved after the decade-long armed struggle.
“Tidtu inya a pibpunan kanu kinapaninindeg tanu sa nyaba a bangsa tanu anya, na nyaba e unga nin a Bangsamoro Government,” Minister said in Maguindanaon dialect.
Sema also shared with the beneficiaries what does his hand fist raising mean while singing the Bangsamoro Hymn.
He said the hand gesture is symbolizing a firm and unyielding commitment for the Bangsamoro self-determination and freedom.
The SDF is one of the provisions under the Bangsamoro Organic Law for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of conflict-affected communities in the Bangsamoro region.
Apart from this, the BEED program intends to transforming conflict-affected areas into productive communities through self-employment generation.
Abubakar Tahir Salik, president of Tademan Association, one of the BEEDP beneficiaries expressed his appreciation to the MOLE, especially to the Bangsamoro Government.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami kase malaking tulong po ito sa pangkabuhayan ng mga Bangsamoro,” Salik said.
“Nagpapasalamat din kami sa pamunuan ng BARMM at sa pinamumunuan ni Minister Sema―ang MOLE,” Salik added.
Salik also assured that grant will be utilized as capital for the retail store that their association will venture.
Meanwhile, the second tranche of the livelihood grant amounting to P75,000.00 will be received by the beneficiary after a monitoring of the MOLE SDF-Project Management Team.
The MOA signing was initiated by the SDF-PMT Chair Ramil Roy Tiolo with the Focal for Cotabato City Marlo Maata, and SDF Consultant Engr. Dong Anayatin. (MOLE-ICD)