SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte (PIA)– To support former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants who have transitioned into farming, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte (PGLDN), through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), granted post-harvest facilities to increase their productivity.
In a ceremonial turnover on November 20, some 63 former MNLF combatants, now members of the Ilian Banana Farmers Association, expressed immense gratitude for the facilities that were given to them as they slowly reintegrated themselves back into society.
“Mapasalamaton kaayo mi kay Governor Angging Dimaporo sa pag-apruba ug open ang iyahang kasing-kasing sa paghatag sa among asosasyon—ang Ilian Banana Farmers Association sa Sultan Naga Dimaporo. Kini pahimuslan namo sa among matag-adlawng panginabuhi [We are very thankful to Governor Angging Dimaporo for approving and providing support to our association, the Ilian Banana Farmers Association in Sultan Naga Dimaporo. We will make good use of this in our daily livelihood],” Isha Macud, the association’s president, said.
The association received three types of post-harvest facilities to streamline farming, increase productivity, reduce labor costs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, these facilities can process various crops such as corn, rice, cacao, and coffee, among others.
The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte (PGLDN), through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), turns over post-harvest facilities to former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants who have transitioned into farming in Sultan Naga Dimaporo town. (PIO Lanao del Norte)
This turnover, according to PSWDO Head Annabelle Mendez, followed their benchmarking trip to Bukidnon Province with 10 association leaders working with the Philippine Army.
“Atong pasalamat gyud kay Gov. Angging sa kani na post-harvest facility na nahatag nato karon sa atong mga amigo na former MNLF combatant nga nahimo ning livelihood na program para sa ilaha [We truly thank Governor Angging for this post-harvest facility that we have provided to our friends, the former MNLF combatants, which has become a livelihood program for them],” she said.
Meanwhile, 2Lt Gibeon Sales, CMO officer of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, emphasized how the project aids in the group’s transition toward laying down arms and becoming an integral part of the community.
“Napakalaking tulong po itong ibinigay niyo di lang po sa association kundi sa 5th Mech po in performing our duties and responsibilities in maintaining peace and order. Ang project na ito ay makakatulong sa normalization ng grupo na iaabanduna na po nila ang kanilang mga armas at tuloy-tuloy na pong maging part ng community for a peaceful and more progressive Lanao del Norte [The help you have given is a huge assistance not just to the association but also to the 5th Mech in fulfilling our duties and responsibilities in maintaining peace and order. This project will help in the normalization of the group, as they will lay down their arms and continue to be part of the community for a peaceful and more progressive Lanao del Norte, he said. (PIO-LDN/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
