Eighteen leaders of People’s Organizations (POs) in Central Mindanao convene for the first time for sharing on best practices and experiences on project management in their respective communities on March 11-12, 2014 at project sites of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Central Mindanao Region in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao.

The activity entitled “PO Exchange Visit” was aimed to provide opportunities to the POs to enhance further their capacities by getting and learning experiences of the other organization.

On the first day of the activity, the POs were convened in the Regional Management Office (RMO) of Central Mindanao for the opening of the two-day program.

During the program, Hashim Manticayan, Regional Manager of RMO Central Mindanao gives inputs on the importance of organization especially in Islamic perspectives.

“Organizing people is among the teachings of Islam. According to one verse in the Holy Qur’an, create a group of people, when there is already three persons in a group, there should be leader from them. There should be a group of people even without intervention of any group to command what is good in other hand forbid what is bad to become successful, “Manager Manticayan said.

The community leaders were given a chance to talk and express themselves by having involved in the BDA programs. Coming from different communities in Maguindanao, these POs share various experiences on project management in their areas. They all have own unique practices that they share during the activity.

They thanked BDA for bringing development in their communities. One accounted that BDA did not only bring projects but also provided learning to the communities thru the series of training conducted to them.

“We received not only project, but also knowledge and skills which are very helpful for us. We learned many things from the trainings example the CAP/CIP, we learned the total population of barangay” Victor M. Alid, PO President of Brgy. Lao-Lao, Gen. Salipada K Pendatun, Maguindanao, said.

The importance of values was also given emphasis and recognition by some community leaders.

“The VTT is really a good training because it teaches us of the importance of values. It made us learned and understood the Islam. Our faith is strengthened, Akmad P. Masulot, Po President of Brgy. Tugal, Midsayap North Cotabato, shared.

Promotion of unity among different cultures and religion is also manifested by PO leaders. Accordingly, through the processes underwent in the program implementation, understanding and harmony is built among tri-people in the communities.

“The non-Muslims in our barangay learned that Islam is not a bad religion, that there is no religion that encourages wrong deeds, Tessie Piang, PO President of Brgy. Pandan, South Upi, Maguindanao, stated.

Further, the gap between different cultures was resolved through the intervention of the BDA. “Before, there was land grabbing; the non-Muslim thought that they will not be included in the Bangsamoro. But when the BDA came and introduced the MTF Program, it has inclusive approach and with that, that there become understanding,” Abdurrahman Lanson, PO President of Brgy. Rangaban, South Upi, said.

Sharing their experience in the program on Community Development in Conflict Affected- Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) of BDA, community leaders of Brgy. Tambo and Brgy. Macabiso in Sultan Mastura Maguindanao tells story of how they manage to achieve the success of their project that are entrusted to them by the program.

“Sometimes before, one known leader visited our barangay and told us that tilapia culture is impossible in our community. But this program is the proof. We learned many things from the trainings provided to us. And we were able to surpass that challenge and discouragement. We made the impossible possible,” Brgy. Tambu shared.

Site visit

On the 2^nd day of the activity, community leaders were given a chance to visit project sites of BDA under the CD-CAAM Program. The site visit was conducted at Brgy. Tambo and Brgy. Macabiso. It is where agri-fishery production is located for the agriculture and fishery sector of the Community Development in Conflict Affected- Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) Program of BDA.

In Brgy. Tambu where the 2 sets of fishpond are situated. It is where tilapia culture is cultivated and produced. It is managed by POs of the barangay.

In Brgy. Macabiso where organization of local farmers manages a vegetable farm with different types of vegetables such as eggplant, tomatoe, bell pepper, ampalaya, pechay and string beans.

Recently, the farmer-beneficiaries have already harvested some of the vegetables.

There was a demonstration of tilanggit processing (a process where small tilapia is cleaned and dried). From this that POs of the other program were able to see and learn the process that they may want to replicate to their organization.

“This is basically the purpose of this activity, for the POs to see the best practices, the good stories, the success of the other organization which we hope to inspire them, motivate them so that they will do also for their own organization. It is part of the capacity building we wanted for our communities, especially for the Bangsamoro, Karnain Mamalangkas, Community Organizer Supervisor of BDA Cenmin Region, said.

Further he stated that the activity is helpful for the future plans of BDA for the People’s Organization to be organized into one federation. Accordingly, it helps also in the sustainability objective for these community organizations.