Gov’t launches mobile rice mill project in Camp Bilal

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 3, 2021): Gov’t launches mobile rice mill project in Camp Bilal (By Lou Ellen L. Antonio)

MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE, June 3 (PIA)--The government, through the joint partnership of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), launched the mobile rice mill project in Camp Bilal, Sitio Kura-Kura in this municipality.

The project was launched through the Inter Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization-Peaceful Return and Aggressive Inclusion Social Entrepreneurship (ICCMN-PRAISE). It is a socio-economic project of DTI to create economic opportunities for decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their families in Bangsamoro communities.

“Meron tayong mandato sa DTI na magcreate ng trabaho at tumulong sa negosyo para magkaroon ng kabuhayan,” said Usec. Abdulgani Macatoman of DTI Special Concerns and Trade Promotions Group.

[We have a mandate in DTI to create jobs and help create businesses to make a living.]

Macatoman also shared that they are committed to discuss other projects that can help boost the livelihood in the community.

Asec. Ameenah Fajardo of DTI Special Concerns also said that the livelihood project will be a big help to the community.

Each of the five established cooperatives in the community received a mobile rice mill namely a) 102nd Base Command: Tangisun Agriculture Cooperative, b) Ansar 126th Base Command: BIAF MILF Marketing Cooperative, c) 124th Base Command: Camp Abaga Agriculture Cooperative, d) 123rd Base Command: Al-Fajr Producers Cooperative, and e) Central Base Command (Main Camp): Al-Hajj Abdullah Bravo Macapaar Agriculture Cooperative.

Member of Parliament Abdullah “Commander Bravo” Macapaar conveyed gratitude to the government for the project implemented in their community.

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa tulong lalong-lalo na kay President Duterte dahil hindi niya pinabayaan ang mga Muslim,” he said.

[Thank you very much for the help, especially to President Duterte because he did not abandon the Muslims.]

Macapaar also expressed his commitment to support the development and to maintain peace and order.

“Ako rin ay kasamahan sa gobyerno para paunlarin ang ekonomiya. Kami ay tumutulong na mamaintain ang peace and order dahil kung walang peace and order, walang development,” he added.

[I am also a colleague in the government in developing the economy. We help maintain peace and order because without peace and order there is no development.]

OPAPP area manager for Northern Mindanao James Alih Abdul is also grateful that the commitment and investment of the community for peace is seen. (LELA/PIA ICIC)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1077108