Support system for barangays launched

CEBU, Philippines — Various government agencies and non-government organizations have come together to contribute to sustaining development-oriented local governments and communities in Central Visayas through the implementation of “Amuma sa Barangay” program.

The program is a brainchild of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 regional director Leocadio Trovela.

Trovela led the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the other stakeholders. Among the signatories of the MOA are Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7  regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-7 Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Christine Ejes, World Vision Visayas Office Field Operations Manager Faith Richelle Sy, The Fraternal Order of Eagles-Philippine Eagles Vice President for the Visayas and Knights of Rizal-Aguilas Chapter Commander Arnold de Asis, Metro Elite Sugbo Mantawi Eagles Vice President Nilo Ferraren, and Knights of Rizal Cebu City Chapter Commander Bryner Diaz.

Amuma sa Barangay program aims provide technical assistance to local governments to capacitate them in nurturing their constituents, particularly the vulnerable sectors to be self-reliant and independent and inculcate the importance of savings and good financial management.

The word Amuma in Cebuano dialect means nourishing and taking care and is basically the origin of the concept from which the Amuma sa Barangay program was inspired.

The program also aims to capacitate LGUs in effectively adopting and implementing programs and projects for target vulnerable sectors to ensure economic and livelihood security and teach the importance of savings and financial management through organizing community savings groups and conducting skills training.

Trovela has expressed his gratitude to DSWD-7 for the continued support and collaboration during disaster. Lucero likewise underscored the importance of collaboration of different national government agencies and non-government organizations.

The program’s official logo along with its meaning was also unveiled during the MOA signing. — FPL (FREEMAN)