CAMP BILAL, LANAO DEL NORTE— The Bansamoro government has extended its support to over one hundred families in Sitio Kura-Kura in barangay Tamparan who are affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Kura-kura is an isolated village of this province. But recently the residents received the food ration they need, but residents appeal for a continued assistance given the situation.
The government has placed almost every local government units under ECQ to prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic from spreading and many have been affected especially the marginalized sector.
Hon. Abdullah “Kumander Bravo” Macapaar, Member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) thanked the government and its entities and the private sector in their communities.
The goods delivered, according to Macaapar was shared beyond Kura-Kura, Macapaar especially those severely affected by the restrictions and are currently having difficulty getting jobs and obtaining food for their families.
“Ang mga sibilyan natin ngayon, hindi sila makababa, hindi makadaan, at hindi makabili ng pagkain at ang makaka resolba sa problema nila ay ang gobyerno,” said Macapaar.
(Our civilians here, they cannot go down, they can’t pass the roads, and they can’t buy food and the only solution to this crisis is government support.)
He added that several Muslim communities in the mountainous area of Lanao del Norte have not been reached by any support. He appealed to the government that they continue reaching out to these communities.
“Pag na-delay pa itong quarantine ng COVID-19, sana masuportahan pa rin ng gobyerno ang mga tao lalong lalo na sa mga kabukiran at sa mga area ng mga Muslim kasi ang karamihan ay hindi pa nakakatanggap ng tulong,” said Macapaar.
(If the quarantine gets extended, I am hoping the government will continue to provide support especially in the Muslim areas where people haven’t received any help.)
The provincial government of Lanao del Norte and the municipality of Munai have extended support and help according to Macapaar. He said Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo had sent people to check on them since the lockdown.
Furthermore, support arrived today in Kura-Kura from the private sector as organized by Kauswagan town mayor Rommel Arnado with the help of his family and friends. Around 2,500 kilos of rice, canned goods and coffee were distributed.
It can be recalled that Macapaar was one of the MILF leaders who besieged Kauswagan town in 2000.
With the “Arms to Farms” program of LGU Kauswagan under its peacebuilding and sustainability development agenda, poverty incidence dramatically dropped from 80% in 2000 to 9.1 percent in 2019.
Many former rebel commanders have become productive organic farmers contributing to improved local economic growth.
A few months ago, Macapaar and Arnado were reunited through a community event in Kauswagan where the former rebel leader thanked Arnado for his efforts in restoring peace and ensuring food sustainability impacting lives of people.
