Rough roads will greet a person that would enter Barangay Old Poblacion, Munai, Lanao del Norte. These in turn hampers the development of the community. The road is plagued by potholes, boulders and stretches of rocky paths. Those who depend on the land for their living are hostage in such dire situation. But this is to change.
On October 4th 2017, the Ceremonial Turnover of the two-kilometer farm to market road under the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program was done. Under such programs, the local government unit of Munai, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) along with Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Agriculture went hand in hand to look into the concerns of food security and livelihoods of the Bangsamoro communities.
With food security and livelihood in mind the project aimed to a greater purpose of achieving peace. “Munai is a conflict area and as such it has been chosen to receive the program. This is a confidence building initiative of two enemies, mainly the MILF and the GRP. As such, each of the parties will have the responsibility in the work for peace. The Government seeks the funding and does the technical works whilst the MILF identifies the beneficiaries, individuals and communities.” says by Dr. Taugan S. Kikay of the MILF.
The two-kilometer farm to market road gave the constituents of Munai better access to health and education. It would help increase production, income and food security. But most importantly the road gives hope. As expressed by Munai Municipal Mayor Casan Maquiling, “Munai experienced the war in 2000, in 2004 and in 2008. OPAPP has given us a lot since then and we owe it to you our development and opportunities that would come due to your initiatives.”
Source: Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
