PICTORIAL: CCARE Maguindanao PT3 with IFES Rep . . .

CCare Strat Planning ...Pictorial

COCO PLANTING . . . SITIO LENEBA, SIBUTO, DOS

PICTORIAL . . . . . COCO PLANTING

ABPSD Rajah Buayan District is Distributing Coco Seedlings

The Rajah Buayan District of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. is distributing at-least 50,000 thousand coconut seedlings for the coconut farmers / growers from the barangays of the Municipalities of Sultan Sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan and Salipada K. Pendatun.

The activity is a part of the engagement of the ABPSD, Inc. in its program on "Ligawasan Coconut Development Program" and the Coconut Industry Investment Funds (CIIF) in its program on "Coco Farm Development Program (CFDP)". The engagement cover different component, such as (1) establishment of Coconut Nursery, (b) distribution of coco seedlings, (c) fertilization, (d) establishment of coco development kiosks, and (e) enter-cropping. The project is still on the level of establihment of the nursery and distribution of coco-seedlings.

Actually, the ABPSD, Incorporated had a commitment to put-up 100,000 seedlings but it was distributed to annex coco-nurseries. The other 50,000 coco seeds were cultured in the following nurseries: (a) Sitio Leneba, Sibuto, DOS, Maguindanao; (b) Barangay Semba, DOS, Maguindanao, (c) Barangay Gang, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, (d) Barangay Tawirin, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao, (e) Barangay Gadong, Barira, Maguindanao, and (f) Barangay Bagoinged, Pikit, Cotabato. Another nursery was also in-placed at Barangay Kusiong, DOS, Maguindanao. After 5 months of managing the nurseries, the in-placed coconut nuts are already fully grown and ready for planting.

Each nursery management had launched the coco-planting activities and adopted the mechanism for distribution with the consent of the ABPSD, Inc. Project Management Office. That, on May 22 - 24, 2009, the Project Management Office went to Sultan Sa Barongis to conduct orientation and proper management of the coco-seedlings distributions and brought with them the forms needed to be filled-up prior the distribution of the seedlings. During the orientation conference, the Executive Director, Dr. Pendatun Pangadil introduced the organizations with background on how it was organized, its vision, mission, goals and programs. It was also followed by the engagement with the CIIF, particularly on the CFDP Program.

Finally, he introduced the mechanism for the distribution of the coco-seedlings. Open forum was also conducted in order to clarify issues and concerns on the project implementation. The organization responded in the first place in accordance with the mechanism provided by the CIIF-CFDP and followed by the ABPSD-LCDP mechanism. From that, the target coco-planters / growers immediately responded by submitting their intent on the activities. Presently, they are now distributing the seedling and started the planting activities, including the other ABPSD districts coco-nurseries.

ABPSD Officials Special Meeting

Cotabato City, (May 16, 2009). The Project Management Office of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. hold a meeting for the officials of different districts to address the issue on furtherance of the engagement with Department of Agriculture, thru the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF). The PMO gave an updates on the present status of the engagement, where the highlights of intervention was fully discussed between and among the participating districts (Iranun District, Kablalan District, Rajah Buayan District, Northern Ligawasan District, Eastern Ligawasan District, Central District and Sultan District).

Among the intercopping activities identified by the group are the following: (a) Vegetable Production, (b) Fruit Trees Production, (c) Coffee Production, (d) Jatropha Production, (e) Banana Production, (f) Cereal Production, (g) Livestock Production, and (h) others. The identified activities are in support to the engagement with the CIIF in its program on "Coco Farm Development Program", being responded by the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. in its program on "Ligawasan Coconut Development Program". From this, the ABPSD, Inc. established eight coco nurseries in the localities. Coconut seedlings are already ready for planting, where expectedly after three months farmers / coco growers can plant 750 t0 900 hectares of land in different ABPSD Districts.

As additional agendum, the group discussed the possible mechanism on the distribution of the coco seedlings to the farmers / coco growers and correlate their local mechanism with that of the CIIF. The different districts are optimistic that they can follow the newly adopted mechanism and be able to implement the designed programs and activities.

PICTORIAL: RAJAHMUDA DALGAN CLAN REUNION

CCARE-Maguindanao is preparing PT4 activities

The Provincial Management Committee of the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform in Maguindanao, lead by the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. - Partnership on Media Affairs for Development and Governance lead by Bobby Taguntong, the CCare Maguindanao Coordinator, after receiving a notice and advisory message from the Secretariat of the CCare that resources for Pulong Tayo 4 (PT4) is already available, has immediately talked to the Provincial Chairman of CCare-Maguindanao. Initially, they discussed the possible flows for implementation of the activities. However, the designed activities shall be finalized upon convening the member organizations in the province. The member organizations to be invited for the final designing of activities are: (a) Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc., (b) Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace, (c) Development Youths Assembly in Mindnao, (d) PUSAKA Mindanao, (e) United Youths of the Philippines, and (f) United Youths of the Philippines - Women.

The number of PT4 activities to be undertaken in the whole ARMM area is covering 1,000 barangays. Initially, the 500 barangays will be targetted as venue for the PT4 activities and another 5oo barangays for the second onehalf of the activities. For the Province of Maguindanao, there will be 54 barangays will be the venue for the PT4 activities in the 1st onehalf and 55 for the 2nd onehalf. The Pulong Tayo 4 activities will be targetted to be accomplished until the end of July, 2009.

ABPSD SME Development Works (Pictorial)

"DODOL MAKING"

ABPSD SME Development Works (Pictorial)

"TIPAS MAKING"

TIPAS MAKING (ABPSD SME Development Activity)

ABPSD SME Development Works (Pictorial)

"PANGUS MAKING" - indigenous way of preserving fish
(Activities undertaken in the communities along the Liguasan Marsh"

DR. PANGADIL VISITED KABLALAN COCO NURSERY

May 09, 2009, Brgy Semba, Dinaig, Maguindanao:

As a supervisory function of the Office of Executive Director, Dr. Pendatun A. Pangadil visited the coconut nursery of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. - Kablalan District at Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. He was accompanied by Engr. Faisal B. Alon, the Administrator of the ABPSD Project Management Office and Samsudin S. Muhamad, the present CEO of the Development Youths Movement Assembly in Mindanao (DYMAM), the concurrent In-charge of the ABPSD - Partnership on Youths Affairs for Development and Acting Chairman of the ABPSD - Sultan District. Earlier, Dr. Pangadil informed the acting chairman of the district , Nasser Pulindao that the group will be visiting the area and wanted to see the level of development undertaken in the Kablalan Coconut Nursery and agreed to join them in the activity, however due to emergency situation, he was not available, instead instructed the nursery in-charge to join and guide the team.

At around 8:00 o'clock in the morning the team arrived at the Kablalan Coconut Nursery and uttered a traditional greetings of "Assalamo Alaykom" and responded accordingly by the in-charge. After a while, they were served with a "Barako Coffee", a native produced coffee in the locality, and "Mango Fruit" harvested from their farm. It was a very fortunate opportunity to visit the area for the 2nd time, where the top officers of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated earged and joined the group for such kind of work.

The visitation was personally conducted by the ABPSD Executive Director, Dr. Pangadil in response to the pronouncement for the launching of the coconut planting activity in this part of the operational area of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. - Kablalan District. The top management found out that the coconut seedling in the Kablalan Coconut Nursery are already ready for planting, therefore the pronounced launching of the planting activity is imperative. The ABPSD top management pledged for full support in the activities of Kablalan District.

ABPSD Rice Seeds Distribution in Maguindanao

The Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc. (ABPSD) in partnership with the Development Consultant, Inc. (DevCon) received three hundred bags of certified rice seeds from Honorable Congressman Simeon A. Datumanong sometimes in the middle of 2oo8. The initiative was in response with the shortages of rice in the country, where individuals, groups and institutions adopted moves to improve production of rice being the main source of foods. The Honorable Congressman from the 2nd district of Maguindanao allocated funds for the purchase of rice seeds to augment the farm inputs needed by the farmers in his jurisdictional areas, and able to procure at-least 700 bags of certified rice seeds for distribution to farmers or rice growers in the province.

The distribution was done through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - ARMM and Non-Government Organizations. The 50% of the procured certified rice seeds were distributed through the Munucipal Agricultural Officer and around 50% were also distributed through the Non-Government Organization. Fortunately, the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated was entrusted with two hundred (200) bags for distribution to actual farmers and growers in the province. The Project Management Office through the ABPSD - Partnership on Agriculture for Development , headed by Butocan A. Barodi called the attention of the district chairpersons and discussed with them the opportunity and supports entrusted to the organization. During the brainstorming activity, several ideas and prepositions were delivered and digested deliberately by the officers of ABPSD districts.

After thorough discussion on the mechanics of the distribution, the group agreed that each municipality would be provided with at-least ten (10) bags and the supervision would be undertaken the respective district. Priority to be provided are those members of the member organizations. Further, the group agreed for the "Pilot Area", where to engage the activity with ownership of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc., however it was not pursued due to the occurence of conflict in the target municipalities in Maguindanao.

The certified rice seeds were distributed to the members of member organizations in the following ABPSD districts, namely: (a) East Ligawasan District, (b) Rajah Buayan District, (c) Nothern Ligawasan District, (d) Iranun District, (e) Sultan District, and (f) Central District. The farmer members (receipients) were very thankful for the support provided by Honorable Simeon A. Datumanong and accepted the challenges provided by the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc., that the inputs shall be utilized as seed capital and be able to adopt incremental activities for increasing production.

At the end, some of the farmers were worried due to the continuous conflicts by Armed Forces of the Philippines and the elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, attacks of insects and rats, and the usual innundations of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, which caused the devastation and destruction of their plants. traversing their localities. However, the others were able to have abundant production and utilized the provided certified rice seeds and planned for the next activities or production.

In the part of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Inc.,particularly the ABPSD - Partnership on Agriculture for Development, the events that transpired for this program serves as a challenge and possibly adopt more desirable strategy to improve the mechanism.