BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – A total of 30 women were pilot beneficiaries of P20,000 livelihood assistance as the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) launched its Special Development Fund- Kabuhayan ni Kaka Bai (SDF-KKB) Project on August 6 at Luuk Pandan in Bongao Municipality.
Under the SDF-KKB Project, the beneficiaries engage in capitalism through Shari’a-compliant micro-financing for one-year cycle. Beneficiaries are required to open savings accounts with Amanah Bank or Landbank of the Philippines. In addition to the cash grants, they received tarpaulins, columnar books, and monitoring tools for monthly oversight by the BWC Provincial Office.
BWC Tawi-Tawi Commissioner Ranissa Salahuddin and Development Management Officer Baiali Diocolano led the awarding of the grants to the beneficiaries. The selection process of the beneficiaries involved a detailed evaluation of project proposals submitted by the applicants for their small businesses.
Diocolano emphasized the importance of the initiative in supporting Bangsamoro women. “Our goal is to expand this program. Right now, we have 30 beneficiaries, but we aim to support more women in the future, so it is crucial that we implement this project effectively,” she said in Filipino.
Before receiving the cash assistance, the beneficiaries underwent training on ledger management and monitoring, fund administration, and signed agreements with the BWC.
Diana Amilasan, representing Tawi-Tawi Provincial Women’s Council, pledged commitment of support to all BWC’s endeavors in protecting and enhancing the welfare of the Bangsamoro Women in Tawi-Tawi, expressing hope for future partnerships and collaborations.
“Magsarang sukol ako especially kan Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim, Kan Maam Hadja Bainon iban ha commissioner namoh pasal dihilan kami opportunity para makalamud ha Kabuhayan hi Kaka Bai, Hiyahalgaan tuod namoh in katatabagan ini, ipakita namoh sin ikaguwa namoh bukun lang in capital ini” expressed Ms. Jupli, one of the beneficiaries.
(I’m very grateful especially to Chief Minister Ahod “Al-haj Murad” B. Ebrahim, Ma’am Bainon Karon, and to our commissioner for giving us the opportunity to be beneficiaries of “Kabuhayan Hi Kaka Bai”. We give much importance to this assistance. We are committed to demonstrating the growth and success of this support.)
The Kabuhayan ni Kaka Bai project underscores the Bangsamoro government’s dedication to empowering women through business opportunities while upholding Halal principles and promoting Islamic banking and finance in the region. (Laila Aripin/BIO)
