Another BARMM-Built Php25-M Public Market Rising, This Time in Upi
edd1994
Bangsamoro Interior Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo (2nd, left), with Upi Mayor Ma. Rona Cristina A. Piang-Flores and Vice Mayor Wilfred T Ibanez. and others at the groundbreaking of a Php25-million Public Market. (All photographs via MILG)
BARMM News
By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
UPI, Maguindanao del Norte, December 27, 2022 — As the year 2022 comes to a close, more construction projects are expected in the Bangsamoro region in the coming new year.
But before the few days of the year give way to the New Year, the Bangsamoro Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) led by Interior Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo continues to implement construction projects in the region’s various local government units (LGUs).
The MILG since 2019 has been at it, bringing what is dubbed the “dividends of peace” to LGUs in the Bangsamoro mainland and island provinces, both material and non-material benefits.
BARMM Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo emphasizes the important role of the tri-people of Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, in maintaining peace and security in the municipality.
“Material benefits” include many buildings such as Municipal Halls, Barangay Halls, Public Markets, Philippine National Police (PNP) Stations, Public Terminals, Tourism Centers, Seawater Desalination Facilities, Water Systems, etc. Many of them have already been completed and turnover to the respective LGU beneficiaries, others are still being built, and still others in planning stage.
On Tuesday, December 27, the MILG and the LGU of Upi municipality broke ground for a new Public Market Building amounting to Php25 million.
Sinarimbo, Upi Mayor Ma. Rona Cristina A. Piang-Flores, and Vice Mayor Wilfred T. Ibanez led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Public Market, which is expected to be completed in the first few months of the new year.
This infrastructure project is supported by the Ministry’s Bangsamoro Local Economic Support Service (BLESS) Program, which aims to help local governments use their corporate power to increase and improve revenue generation.
Sinarimbo noted that the Bangsamoro government, through the Ministry, has allocated time and funds to make sure that the public markets being implemented by the MILG are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also symbolic of the Bangsamoro’s architectural heritage.
“We invested a lot of time and resources to find the best design for the public markets, one that is both functional and indicative of our architectural heritage. It’s not just an ordinary market, but a good market that can draw our locals. Two parts make up our public market: infrastructure and the preparation for successfully running the market. “We will provide you with the necessary training so that you can generate income in the future,” the MILG chief said.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of Upi’s tri-people — Christian, Muslim, and Indigenous People — in maintaining the Bangsamoro’s peace gains.
“Lahat tayo ay malaki na ang naitaya at naiambag doon sa pag-unlad at kapayapaan. Wala ng gustong bumalik sa giyera. ‘Yun ang pangarap natin, ‘yun ang kailangan nating ma-achieve. Ang Upi ay kritikal sa prosesong ito dahil dito sa inyo nandito ‘yung tri-people, so kailangan nating mapanatili ang balanseng ‘yun para ‘yung kapayapaan natin at pag-unlad ay tuloy-tuloy lang,” Sinarimbo emphasized.
(Translation: All of us have invested and contributed a lot in achieving progress and peace. No one wants to return to war. That is our dream, that is what we need to achieve. Upi is a critical part of this process because you the tri-people. So, we need to maintain that balance for peace and progress will continue to move.)
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform’s (MAFAR) Director General for Agrarian Reform Services Taugan S. Kikay, Upi’s Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Torombai C Macadato-Ambolodto, and Upi executive and legislative officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony. (with report from MILG) — (/)
