Three-day training on values transformation was conducted for the thirty new beneficiaries of Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) project on September 1-3, 2015 at Barangay Buliok in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao.

According to Mohalidin Akmad, BDA Central Mindanao regional project operation officer, the training served as mean for values transformation of the participants with a belief that the success of the project implementation depends upon the values of the peoples involve for it is through people that any development intervention succeed.

“With this training, we believe that the values of anybody involves in the project implementation will be realigned by prioritizing collective interest of the community than individual preference”, Akmad emphasized.

“That is why VTT is enjoined by BDA to be undertaken as the first important activity involving the community stakeholders of the project before full blast implementation”, he added.

Appreciative of the VTT and its significance to the participants, Chairman Guiamal Bantas of Brgy. Buliok sincerely expressed gratitude to the BDA-CenMin for conducting the said training.

He said that BDA-CenMin is not only implementing livelihood project but it also helps in developing the personality of the community through correcting their values.

“This is a very good approach in implementing the project for its success is dependent upon the values of the concerned community stakeholders”, Bantas added.

He was convinced that through this training, values of concerned community stakeholders are transformed toward strong justice and unity thus developing with them that their role in the project is a responsibility and accountability to the community and BDA and above all, to Allah, the Supreme Creator and Ruler of all that exist”, assured Chairman Bantas.

Engr. Abdulwahid Sendad, regional coordinator of the project of this region that thru VTT, while improving the livelihood of the community through proper implementation of the project, their values will also be improved.

“Thus if such are achieved, that moral and spiritual development prevail over material preference, it is not only the livelihood development will be attained, but also sustainable peace and holistic development “, Engr. Sendad ended.

VTT is a regular program of BDA based on the principle that development must begin first at one’s self. It promotes importance of values and personality development in molding its staff and people with enhanced knowledge, appreciation and practice of Universal values that will help them in serving the most marginalized communities.

CD-CAAM is implemented by BDA with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and in partnership with IC Net Limited as service provider.