GSKP folks benefit ARMM projects

GEN. SALIPADA K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao – The Autonomous Regional Government through the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) has continue to beef up its programs and projects to continuously address the basic needs of poor communities in the five-province autonomous region.

Most recent is Barangay Ramcor here, where ASFP thru Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA) funds extended P1.5 million-assistance under its Community Development Assistance (CDA) sub-component project for the construction of a two-classroom school building and multi-purpose center.

These projects are included in the 2009 Community Investment Plan realized by People’s Organization (PO) named Ramcor Farmers Association (RFA) and barangay local officials to enhance the delivery of basic education and other social services for the people of Ramcor.

As of 2007 census, Barangay Ramcor has a population of 2,469 with a total land area of 992.64 hectares which depends mostly on farming [rice and corn] as livelihood.

PO President Zaldy Akil said that education in Ramcor is poor due to room scarcity citing “there are only two rooms established for the entire secondary school.”

“That is why; we agreed to first establish the school building for Bai Tambabai National High School. We could no longer endure seeing our children transferring from one place to another, like warehouse [bodega], just to continue learning. We believe that through education, we are building a foundation for further development in our barangay,” Akil said.

Moreover, a third year high school student, Jackyrie Datukan, in high spirit with the on-going construction of two classrooms stressed, “once the construction is completed, we will no longer bicker for space and soon we will be studying quietly.”

“Often, the class is so noisy because of aridness and limited space. We bear all those just to be in school. We are so happy that soon we can concentrate with our lessons,” Datukan said.

The ASFP adapts the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach in initiating projects in the communities. The people’s organization who knew most the needed projects in their communities, are the ones responsible in the implementation. Stakeholders have lauded such method for it established transparency, accountability and unity in the grassroots.

Barangay Chairman Tikboy Kali expressed gratitude to the regional government and the ASFP for giving them an opportunity to become one of the beneficiaries of its flagship projects.

Meanwhile, Atty. Mustapha Sambolawan, ASFP Project Manager, said the community-based infrastructure projects manifest the regional government’s effort to enhance the socio-economic condition of the people.

ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan is confident that with the ASFP projects, the Autonomous Regional Government will continue to empower communities as well as improve the living conditions of the people, thereby creating sustainable development and peace in the region.

The CDA project component is part of the 2.47 billion yen commitment of Japan government through JICA fund which started in 2005 to support the peace and development program of the Government of the Philippines. (BPI-ARMM)