ARMM opens center for conflict-affected Maguindanao towns

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Maguindanao province now has a facility to address the needs of conflict-stricken communities in 15 of its towns.

 

Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Thursday said the Central Mindanao Alliance Center in Datu Saudi town in Maguindanao was inaugurated earlier this week.

 

The center, which cost P30 million to build, was put up by ARMM government for the human welfare cooperation group of 15 local government units. The province has 36 towns across two legislative districts.

 

The 15 towns are beneficiaries of ARMM’s Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program, more known as HDAP.

 

Residents of the 15 towns — Datu Piang, Talitay, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, Guindulungan, Datu Unsay, Datu Hoffer, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, and Shariff Aguak — rely mainly on farming for their livelihood.

 

Their agricultural productivity, however, has been at all-time low due to frequent displacement by militants.

 

The HDAP, which is under Hataman’s ministerial control, aims to address poverty and underdevelopment in areas beset with nagging security issues.

 

The ARMM has earmarked P2.23 billion for its HDAP projects in the region, which covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. 

 

Thousands of villagers in the 15 HDAP beneficiary towns in Maguindanao are still reeling from the adverse effects of troubles instigated by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

 

“The new center shall be a springboard for human welfare activities that can help promote peace and sustainable development in these 15 municipalities,” Hataman said on Thursday.