The P3-million worth solar-powered water system with a concrete water tank turned over by the Bangsamoro Government to the residents of Brgy. Manarapan in Carmen Cluster, SGA. (Photo courtesy of SDF-PMO)
SPECIAL GEOGRAPHIC AREA—The Bangsamoro Government continuously delivers basic yet necessary human services in areas formerly affected by human-induced conflict.
On Sept. 6, a solar-powered water system with a concrete water tank was turned over to the residents of Barangay Manarapan in Carmen Cluster of the region’s Special Geographic Area (SGA).
The water system, worth P3-million, will serve as a reliable system for supplying clean water to the community. It seeks to promote access to essential services and enhance the quality of life for the constituents of the Bangsamoro region.
Its water tank/reservoir has a capacity of 3.2m x 3.2m x 2.5m (25.6 cubic meters), with eight tap stands, each having one faucet.
Funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF) of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), the project was proposed by Member of the Parliament (MP) Abdullah Hashim, son of Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) founding chair Sheik Salamat Hashim.
On top of the annual block grant allocated by the state for the overall operation of the Bangsamoro Government, BARMM also receives an SDF amounting to P5-billion a year for 10 years from its ratification to allot amount for initiatives focused on “rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of its conflict-affected communities”, as stated in Section 2, Article XIV of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
SDF-Project Management Office (PMO) and MP Hashim spearheaded the turnover ceremony for the project.
Hashim said in his message that the project is a peace process initiative to help the conflict-affected areas in BARMM.
“Napakalaking gesture itong peace at yun na nga ang gusto nating mangyari. Kaya ang aking panawagan sa lahat ay magtulungan tayo para maabot ang kapayapaan with justice,” he shared.
Manarapan was formerly under the jurisdiction of the Cotabato Province but is now covered by SGA after its constituents voted for inclusion in the 2019 plebiscite following the ratification of the BOL.
It is located about seven kilometers north of Carmen Municipal Hall with a relatively high ground level resulting in poor access to clean water. Its adjacent barangay going north is Kitulaan which will serve as the capital town of the newly created town of Kapalawan.
Amil Abubakar, deputy Bangsamoro Director General of Bangsamoro Planning Development Authority (BDPA), representing its Director General Engr. Mohajirin Ali, said that Brgy. Manarapan is blessed to receive this kind of project for the community.
“Maswerte ang Brgy. Manarapan dahil isa ang lugar ninyo sa napiling magkaroon ng ganitong proyekto na galing sa Bangsamoro Government. Ito ay dumaan po sa mabusising pagsusuri kaya inaasahan po namin na ito’y inyong pangangalagaan at gamitin para sa ikakabuti ng ating komunidad,” he said.
Intensifying peace building interventions and supporting the normalization process for the transitioning combatants, their families, and communities, through stronger cooperation, accountability is one of 12-point priority agenda of the Government of the Day. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO with reports from SDF-PMO)
