Symbolic transfer of DA-12 office building in Cotabato City on August 18, 2021. (From left to right) Chief-of-Staff Arphia Ebus (MAFAR), Director II-Agriculture Service Engr. Esmail Guiamel (MAFAR); Director II-Fisheries Services Macmod Mamalangkap, Ph.D. (MAFAR); Project Evaluation Officer IV Atty. Jamil Adrian Khalil Matalam (DA-12), Director II-Agrarian Reform Taugan Kikay, Ph.D. (MAFAR); Minister Dr. Mohammad S. Yakob and Assistant Secretary for MAFAR-BARMM Dr. Sailila Abdullah.
COTABATO CITY—Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar led the official handover and transfer of its jurisdiction over DA-12 building and laboratory equipment to the Bangsamoro Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) located in Cotabto City via zoom Wednesday, Aug. 18.
The transfer of office buildings and functions was formalized through signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
“The national government and national agencies are obligated to support the newly-established BARMM government, that the turnover of national government agencies properties serve as infrastructure support with great hopes and envisions of lasting peace and prosperity under the development of BARMM,” Sec. Dar said.
Dar added that more than the legal obligation, “moral obligation on the part of national government to support BARMM should also be present.”
Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim accepted the transfer of DA office building, and was witnessed by MAFAR Minister Dr. Mohammad S. Yakob, MAFAR Deputy Minister Ammal D. Solaiman, DA Undersecretary for Regulation and Infrastructure Engr. Datu Zamzamin Ampatuan, Assistant Secretary for MAFAR-BARMM Dr. Sailila Abdullah, Assistant Senior Minister Abdullah “Dong” Cusain, DA-12 Regional Director Arlan Mangelen, DA Atty. Jamil Adrian Khalil Matalam, MAFAR Directors, Chiefs, legal officer, and staff.
In his message of acceptance, Chief Minister said, “DA is very important for sustainable development and to the lives of every Filipino people. We are honored to accept the responsibility to use, manage, and take care of the DA’s great facilities here in Cotabato City.”
“The government of the day through MAFAR’s theme ‘Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita’ is also embodied and envisioned for food security in the Philippines and BARMM which aims for prosperous farmers and fisherfolks and to empower them to increase productability and profitability,” Ebrahim added.
Secretary Dar in his short message also assured the Bangsamoro Government of his “full support” for as long as he is the DA secretary.
Meanwhile, MAFAR Minister Yacob said that upon the acceptance of facilities and functions, “there would be smooth transition period (for us) to occupy the facility. The staff to be transferred and assigned there need to learn first the operation of the equipment particularly in the laboratory section.”
The turnover of office building from national line agencies to BARMM is a manifestation of the national government’s commitment of the implementation of R.A.11054 otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
