Kabacan, Cotabato โ In a move to support Mindanao peace process and uplift the local economy, Kabacan officials inaugurated four newly completed barangay roads and a multi-purpose building on Tuesday, January 7.
The infrastructure projects, located in Upper Paatan, Lower Paatan, Bannawag, and Magatos, aim to connect Moro and non-Moro farmers to Kabacan’s town center, enabling them to transport their agricultural produce more efficiently.
Mayor Evangeline Guzman expressed gratitude to Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliรฑo Mendoza for spearheading the P47-million initiative. โThese roads are now all-weather roads, fulfilling a long-standing dream of farmers in these barangays,โ Guzman shared during a press briefing on Wednesday, January 8.
Bridging Communities with Infrastructure
In addition to the farm-to-market roads, Governor Mendoza also inaugurated a multi-purpose building in Barangay Malanduage, a diverse community of Muslims and Christians. The facility is designed to serve as a hub for interfaith peace dialogues, as well as a meeting venue for barangay leaders implementing socio-economic programs.
โThese projects are not just about infrastructure. They symbolize the government’s commitment to creating avenues for peace and development,โ Mendoza said, emphasizing their role in bolstering the socio-economic foundation of communities touched by decades of conflict.
Strengthening Mindanao Peace Efforts
The newly launched projects align with the broader peace initiatives of the Philippine government, including the agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). These roads and facilities are expected to enhance mobility and improve livelihoods in the beneficiary barangays, many of which are now part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Kabacan became partially integrated into the BARMM following a 2019 plebiscite that affirmed the inclusion of several barangays into the regionโs core territory. This plebiscite was a milestone in implementing the MILF’s Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (2012) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (2014).
A Vision for Unity and Prosperity
Both Guzman and Mendoza are ardent supporters of the governmentโs peace and development agenda. Their collaborative efforts reflect a shared vision of fostering unity and prosperity in Kabacan. The convergence of Moro and non-Moro communities could foster lasting peace, the leaders believed.
โThese roads and the multi-purpose building are more than concrete structures; they are symbols of hope and a brighter future for our farmers and communities,โ Guzman concluded, inviting locals to maximize the benefits of these transformative projects.
As the roads connect communities and the multi-purpose facility opens its doors for dialogues and collaboration, Kabacan takes another significant step toward peace and progress in the heart of Mindanao.
