The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) distributed PHP10 million worth of post-harvest machinery and equipment to fisherfolk from the region’s two Maguindanao provinces on Wednesday in Barangay Kalanganan II here.
In a news release Thursday, the agency said MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama personally led the distribution to improve the handling, storage, processing and transport of fishery products, thereby helping maintain quality and increase fishermen’s income.
The intervention is funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act for the Bangsamoro.
The fisherfolk, organized into 10 groups, received 20 fish carts, 10 solar freezers and 5 portable smokehouses, enabling beneficiaries to enhance productivity and increase profits and income.
In a reminder to beneficiaries from Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, Maslamama stressed the importance of proper use and maintenance of the equipment to ensure long-term benefits for beneficiaries.
“As recipients of government projects, you also have the responsibility to help take good care of the equipment for sustainability,” Maslamama said.
MAFAR-BARMM and the beneficiaries also signed a memorandum of agreement to ensure the proper maintenance and utilization of the equipment for the long-term benefit of the recipients. (PNA)