Development projects for BARMM communities launched in Cotabato

Officials of Bangsamoro government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched some development and rehabilitation projects to uplift the lives of conflict-hit communities in Bangsamoro.

The program, dubbed as the Bangsamoro Integrated Rehabilitation and Development (BiRD) Program, was intended for BARMM's Special Geographic Area (SGA) and will run for at least five years.

During the BiRD launch, a soft opening of 900-meter road linking the 63 barangays to the BARMM was held in  Cotabato.

Aside from this, officials also rolled out newly-installed solar street lights, handover of 20 motor bancas for fishermen and wheelchairs for  Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Also, 150 Bangsamoro widows of the late  ‘Mujahideens’ were given food aid, face masks and P25,000 cash aid.

In a statement, BARMM Spokesperson Naguib Sinarimbo said their goal is to transform conflict-affected areas into peaceful and productive communities.
The program will strengthen villages through capacity building programs, rural infrastructure development and livelihood,  Sinarimbo said.

BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the BiRD Program includes all the areas of the Bangsamoro region. For now, the regional government is focusing on enforcing the first phase, which is the 63 barangays under the SGA.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News