COTABATO CITY – A total of 103 residents from Brgy. Poblacion 7 in Cotabato City were the first recipients of Php15,000.00 seed capital as the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) launched its Bangsamoro Sagip Kabuhayan Program (BSKP) in the city on Thursday, Nov. 11.
MSSD Minister Raissa Jajurie led the initial pay-out held at Datu Siang Central School.
“Since Cotabato City is part of BARM, they could be assured of our assistance from MSSD, because it is part of our integral mandate to provide them services similar to what other constituents received from us in the region,” Minister Jajurie said.
“In few days from now, we are targeting to complete a total of 1,000 family beneficiaries in the city to receive same amount of seed capital,” Jajurie added.
BSKP intends to alleviate the living conditions of residents that are adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, through provision of additional capital or seed capitals to start up their businesses.
Most of the beneficiaries from Cotabato City are currently engaging in different business ventures such as sari-sari store, dress making, duck raising, furniture making, and ukay-ukay selling, among others.
“Ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa pamunuan ng BARMM sa natanggap naming napakalaking tulong mula sa MSSD, dahil ang pamumuhay namin dito ay sadyang naapektuhan ng pandemiya”, said Esther Gedta, a duck raiser beneficiary.
Furniture maker Zacaria Andal, on the other hand, said “Idinadalangin ko na sana mas hahaba pa ang buhay ng mga namumuno sa BARMM para mas marami pang kababayan namin ang mabiyayaan ng tulong pinansiyal lalo na sa katulad naming mga mahihirap.”
The selection of qualified beneficiaries were carefully scrutinized and evaluated by MSSD’s Social Welfare Officers with the participation of the local government unit. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
