Farmers in Barangay Panabutan, Sirawai Zamboanga del Norte can now expect better farming production through the farm machineries provided to them by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) under the Mindanao Trust Fund for Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP).

The farm equipment was handed over to the community of Brgy. Panabutan on March 3, 2014 at Municipal Gymnasium of Sirawai through the Barangay Community Volunteers (BCVs) who were organized under the MTF-RDP.

This equipment are composed of 2 units of kuliglig, 2 units of super calibre machine, 1 unit of hand tractor and 1 unit of trailer.

During the program, Hussam H. Sahabi, BCV member expressed gratitude to the BDA and the MTF program for the assistance provided to them. According to him, having the equipment for their community is already a big success for them, especially for him as he takes it as big accomplishment being the leader of their organization.

Speaking in local dialect, he said: “It is already a success for me because this is the proof that we made it to have project like this. Being BCV, it makes us proud because we see that we are really working. All of our hard works now has the reward. I, personally feel great because before, I’m just nobody but through this program, I learned many things, like leadership, managing, and others which I proved to myself that I can do something good for all.”

Improving leadership skills

According to Ustadz Mura Ismael , member of the Multi-sectoral Committee created under the MTF-RDP as counterpart of the municipal local government unit of Sirawai, the leadership skills acquired from the different training conducted by the program helped him improved his self as local leader in their community.

“I learned a lot from this program, especially leadership skills. From being MSC Chairman, I am now Brgy. Kagawad. My experience at work being a Chairman exposed me to different skills like decision-making and organizing people. This has helped me to get known to my colleagues, to the people and get their trust to me as their leader,” Ustadz Ismael said.

Municipal counterpart

The turn-over ceremony of this sub-project for the community of Brgy. Panabutan was witnessed by people of different barangays of Sirawai. Held during weekdays, many have witnessed the program which for the Mayor serves as information and awareness to the people of Sirawai that the local government unit of the municipality is supportive to programs that are geared towards development of the people.

“It is the very first time that we have this kind of support for one of our barangay under my administration. As a new Mayor, I feel proud that this remarkable happening occurred during my time. We thanked BDA for this support and with this turn-over, we can really say of the honesty of BDA. We hope to happen this thing also in other barangays, “Mayor Gamar Janihim, Al-Haj said.

During the program, foods and snacks were provided by the MLGU of Sirawai.

Brgy. Panabutan is among the barangays of Sirawai in Zamboanga del Norte which are beneficiaries of the MTF Program. Farming is among the main sources of income of many in the barangay that is why support to agricultural production is the priority project that the community have chosen for their barangay. They believed that through the project, farming will become easier and convenient for them.

“The equipment will really help us in our farming and in improving our lives, “the BCV Chairman said.

The BCV Chairman further accounted the good changes that the program has brought to their community. His discovery of his own skills and capacities, the recognition of the skills of the other, the spirit of volunteerism and the unity that the program has built among the members of the community.