Photo by Morsid Kadir
COTABATO CITY— Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo led Tuesday, March 21, the inauguration of a newly built community activity center at Barangay Lower Baguer, in Pigcawayan Cluster, Special Geographic Area (SGA) which aims to provide safe space for children and foster public dialogue among the locals.
Through the center, it will be easier for the locals to hold community events, gatherings, and other recreational activities, and give children safe space to play and learn.
The center was funded under the Bangsamoro Integrated Rehabilitation and Development (BIRD) program — a five-year all-inclusive development initiative of the Office of the Chief Minister, funded by the Special Development Fund (SDF) and implemented by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG).
According to Sinarimbo, one of the goals of BIRD program is to transform SGA into prosperous and peaceful communities.
On the same day, MILG also distributed relief assistance to residents of this city and some barangays in SGA, and turned over six units of photocopier or Xerox machines to six barangays in SGA such as Buricain, Lower Baguer, Lower Pangankalan, Datu Mantil, Matilac, and Libungan Toreta.
Minister Sinarimbo said the distribution of the machines was part of the ministry’s effort to improve governance by providing the local government units with essential facilities and equipment.
“The Bangsamoro Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, is committed to transforming governance and uplifting the lives of our people,” he said.
Also present during Tuesday’s event were MILG Deputy Minister Abunawas Maslamama, SGA Development Authority Administrator Butch Malang, Police Regional Office Police Col Abdulkaer Macalangcom, Bangsamoro Planning, and Development Authority (BPDA) Director Kadil Sulaik, SDF-BIRD Program Manager Zaide Amil, and the 63 barangay captain of the SGA and their representatives. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO with reports from MILG)
