In preparation for its Fish Culture program for the Fisheries Sector of the Community Development in Conflict-Affected areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) Program of the Bangsamoro Development Agency Central Mindanao (BDA-CenMin) Region, two sets of fish ponds were constructed in Barangay Tambu, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao.

The construction was completed on November 19, 2013 through the unified effort of the community beneficiaries and some staff of BDA Central Mindanao region under the CD-CAAM program.

During the construction, several steps were undertaken. Community works included the following: excavation, digging, removal and clearing of debris. Portions of land out of the digging were used in the construction of dikes surrounding the pond.

Supervising the construction were Mr. Ibrahim Alempang, Municipal Agricultural Officer of Sultan Mastura and Mr. Andongan Pangilan, Manager of a nursery and Technical Consultant from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BFAR-ARMM) and Mr. Pendatun Patarasa from IC Net Limited.

One significant output from this activity is the learning that the community beneficiaries acquired. They learned to appreciate in making initiatives and find solutions to the problem without further cost.

According to Mr. Sulba G. Tulah, Regional Project Operation Officer for Fishery Sector of the program, this appreciation was developed through the series of halaqah or study circles conducted during the 7-day activity before and after the construction.

In the study circle, several topics on the teachings of Islam is discussed and shared among the group. Through this, members of the group are taught and reminded of the value and importance of faith and the application of every teachings of the Holy Qur’an in man’s daily life.

Through this simple activity, our beneficiaries at BDA and our staff are not only learning or benefiting from the program; moreover, their values are developed and strengthened based on Islam faith, which is BDA’s one way of capacitating its people”, said Mr. Tulah.

CD-CAAM is being implemented by the BDA in partnership with Japan Cooperative Agency (JICA) and IC Net Limited.