| People's Organizations Received
Recognition in Mindanao
Kidapawan City -
Ten People's Organizations (POs) with unique replicable practices who took center stage on their initiatives and best practices in peace building, youth & children, economic & livelihood, advocacy, women, environment, community infrastructure, education and health received recognition from the Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Academe, Funding Agencies and other guests present during the 2nd People's Organizations Festival held at the Guadalupe Formation Center in Balindog, Kidapawan City.
The Tumbras Muslim Fisher Folks Association (TUMUFFA), a People's Organization in Brgy. Tumbras, Midsayap, Cotabato is but one of the number of POs that presented success in uplifting economic situation and promoting unity and peace in the community. The organization with 135 members is one of the proponents who received Inland Fishing Equipment (boats and fishnets) from DAR-STARCM.
Nancy Divinagracia, one of the members of the organization narrated how their group started and managed a small economic and livelihood project, and now succeeded.
With their learnings from the past experiences, Nancy stated how it was difficult for the fisherfolks of Tumbras to imagine a peaceful and economically satisfying life. As innocent victims of armed conflict, the people, particularly those living near the Liguasan Marsh, had to leave their homes and were forced to ditch their main source of income - fishing.
After the conflict, life at Tumbras remained difficult. Due to limited boats and fishnets, fisherfolks could only catch and sell one to two kilos of fish everyday which could not even support their daily needs.
But now with the assistance from the Inland Fishing Project, members of the organization would rather talk how their lives were changed and improved. Fishing activity became easy and more rewarding. Due to their increased income, they are able to buy household appliances, their children are able to go to school and their houses are now made of concrete. Also, from their fishing income, some members are able to purchase passenger motorcycle and raise another livelihood project (cattle, goat, poultry, etc.).
Their organization is indeed an opportunity for all the members to learn, to share and to strengthen and develop a culture of peace in the community. Aside from selling volume of fresh tilapia fish within and outside the community, women are now involved in economic activities through making dried fish and others. To sustain the project, the group implemented a "Monthly Savings Generation" scheme for the repair of the damaged fishing implements.
Nancy added that all members should be involved in the implementation process, sense of ownership should be emphasized, members should be empowered and Barangay Council should play a big role to ensure unity and sustainability. (MinLand)
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