In a short yet heartwarming event held on June 3, 2024, the PROTECT-Peace in the BARMM Project, spearheaded by the Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives, Inc. (IMAN), recently turned over sets of sewing machines, textiles, and materials for the Dressmaking Livelihood to the Tupig Women’s Association in Barangay Tupig, Carmen, North Cotabato, SGA-BARMM.
The official turnover ceremony took place at the Barangay Hall of Tupig, and was attended by esteemed guests, including Barangay Captain Hon. Vicente Caldelliro, other Barangay Officials, and members of the recipient organization. GCERF Country Adviser, Atty. Jennifer Buan also graced the event with her presence.
During the ceremony, Hon. Caldelliro commended the project for its significant support to the women of Tupig, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and expanding the opportunities brought by the project to transform their Barangay into a “pilot community”.
IMAN Executive Director Mike Alon encouraged the association to embrace this livelihood opportunity as the starting point for positive change in Barangay Tupig.
Ma’am Zukria Abas, association president, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the project and the IMAN for the opportunity provided
to the Tupig Women’s Association. She highlighted the transformative impact of the project, empowering women to move beyond their past traumatic experience as war victims and shift their Barangay from a warzone to an economic zone.
Project Development Officer Halima G. Alfonso of CBCS, emphasized that the turnover ceremony symbolized a new chapter in the PROTECT-Peace Project, stressing the importance of continuous monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the livelihood initiative.
CBCS Project Officer Alimudin M. Mala expressed his gratitude to the BLGU Tupig for their unwavering support and urged the women of Tupig to nurture and expand their livelihood to link with BARMM Ministries for further assistance.
Atty. Jennifer Buan, GCERF’s Country Adviser, expressed her delight in witnessing the positive impact of the project on the women of Tupig and the community at large. She looks forward to the inspiring stories of change that will emerge from this initiative.
The Promoting Resilient and Organized Citizenry towards Empowerment and Community Transformation for Peace in the BARMM (PROTECT-Peace in the BARMM) Project, a three-year collaborative effort between the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Inc. (CBCS) and Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), aims to enhance peacebuilding capacities and promote socio-economic development in the BARMM region.
By: MONAWARA MAPANDI
Communication Officer
PROTECT Peace Project
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