COTABATO CITY— The Bangsamoro Government on Monday, Dec. 26, began putting into action its early recovery plans for the victims of tropical storm Paeng in Maguindanao del Norte through a convergence activity of the different ministries of the region.
The activity symbolically started through Ministry of Environment’s tree planting of 200 different seedlings at Barangay Pura in Datu Blah Sinsuat (DBS) that was led by top officials of the Bangsamoro Government, including Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua, Public Works Minister Eduard Guerra, Social Services Minister Raissa Jajurie, Environment Minister Akmad Brahim, and along with DBS Mayor Datu Marshall Sinsuat.
The officials also led the groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of transitory shelters and five units of 2-storey barangay halls in to be built in the town.
Fifty eight (58) families from Brgy. Pura are expected to benefit from the seven units transitory shelters complete with kitchen pantry, toilet, and water tank system. Meanwhile, the five village halls will rise at the barangays of Tubuan, Nalkan, Tambak, Sinipak, and Pura.
Also part of the convergence activity was Ministry of Social Service and Development’s (MSSD) distribution of multipurpose cash assistance and Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA). The ministry also facilitated the opening of bank accounts of identified beneficiaries in partnership with Al-Amanah Islamic Bank of the Philippines.
As part of its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) intervention, MSSD also handed over four water pumps to the LGUs to be installed in the evacuation and affected areas lacking water supply.
During the activity, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) distributed five large trash bins, while the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) distributed learners’ and teachers’ kits and relief packs.
MILG’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) distributed relief assistance to the Paeng-affected residents. The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-BARMM) also distributed repair kits, jerry cans with water, and tarpaulins.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) also provided fishing materials and seedling and fertilizers; the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT) facilitated a free business name registration; and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MIPA) issued free certificates of tribal membership.
“It is important that our people know that their government is working. We hope that it gives them morale and hope for a better future,” said Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo in his message read by his executive assistant Norhashim Sinarimbo.
“The Early Recovery Cluster Convergence Activity is (Bangsamoro Government’s) manifestation of willpower and urgency to return the affected communities back to normalcy,” Sinarimbo added.
On the other hand, Senior Minister Macacua stressed that Paeng is a wake-up call to all Bangsamoro people to be more resilient individuals.
“Isa sa haligi ng Moral Governance ay ang pagtulong sa mga taong nangangailangan. […] Malaki ang naidulot ng Paeng na kapinsalahan sa atin. Kaya nga po nandito kami ngayon because we are addressing those difficulties brought by Paeng,” said Macacua.
DBS was one of the severely affected towns in the region during the onslaught of Paeng.
“Maraming maraming salamat sa BARMM Government lalong-lalo na sa ating Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim sa kanyang mga proyekto at tulong sa DBS, dahil kung hindi yung BARMM ay hindi ko alam kung paano kami magmove-on,” Mayor Sinsuat said.
“Ramdam na ramdan namin yung pag-gogobyerno ng Bangsamoro, nararanasan ng lahat ng taga DBS hanggang doon sa dulo ang gobyerno ng Bangsamoro. Hindi natin masabi na wala silang ginagawa dahil kung hindi yung Bangsamoro—hindi ko alam kung magmukha pa kaming munisipyo,” Sinsuat added.
BARMM’s development partners, such as the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), Plan International, and Mindanao Humanitarian Aid were also present during the convergence activity to provide their assistance. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
