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COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government MILG), in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism (MTIT)-Basilan, conducted on October 11, 2023, an Assessment and Validation of Proposed Business Plans of 38 former Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) combatants as part of Project TuGoN’s livelihood component, at the 64th Infantry Battalion, Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan.
Business counseling was given to the ex-combatants to help them build entrepreneurial skills and stable livelihoods to support their families, paving the way for these people and their communities to have a better and more stable future. The intention was to help them launch a successful, long-lasting, and sustainable business.
Project TuGoN, which will encourage an entrepreneurial and self-sufficient culture among the ASG former combatants in Basilan, is anticipated to significantly improve the general well-being of the affected communities.
MILG-Basilan Provincial Director Representative, LGOO VI Manessa H Castro; MTIT-Basilan Provincial Director, Argie J Sarco; MILG Project TuGoN’s Officer, Farhana S Sahod; MTIT-Basilan Chief, Hja Jaida J Tulawie; Commanding Officer of 64th Infantry Battalion, LTC Abel O Potutan; MILG and MTIT supporting staff and other AFP officers and enlisted personnel graced the activity.
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (✓)