Pakigdait Inc. (a URI member group in the Philippines) once again proved that even a pandemic could not stop empowerment and peace from reaching the places where people need them. See more details on their Facebook page.
Members of Pakigdait Inc. distributed three sewing machines to the Bangsamoro Islamic Women’s Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB). Maimona Macapaar received the items given on the behalf of BIWAB at Camp Bilal, Munai, Lanao del Norte.
With the help of VSO Philippines and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), Pakigdait Inc. was able to procure three sewing machines and textiles made locally by the Marawi IDPs, which are to be used to create face masks. These face masks will serve a dual purpose: both as a way to generate income for these former combatant women, and as a response to the ever-growing demand of facemasks following the current coronavirus crisis.
Use the yellow arrows to scroll through the photo slideshow below.
The turn-over program was witnessed by Musa Mohamad Sanguila, URI Regional Coordinator for the Southeast Asia and Pacific region, our partner in the security sector with the leadership of Col Charlemagne Batayola, Jr., the Deputy Brigade Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the members of BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Force) with the leadership of MP Abdullah Macapaar and the Director of Pakigdait Inc. Abelardo Moya, together with the staff.
Moreover, Pakigdait Inc. also provided WHO-compliant face mask patterns to ensure the quality of the products which are to be exported with the help of sister NGOs willing to introduce the locally-made facemasks into the international market.
Furthermore, the seeds of peace that Pakigdait Inc. had planted years ago have begun to grow and bear fruits, which is evident from the peaceful interactions of former MILF combatants with AFP personnel throughout the course of the program.
In fact, MP Abdullah Macapaar (formerly known as “Commander Bravo”) and Col Charlemagne Batayola, Jr. mentioned the developing bond between the two parties by calling each other brothers and friends in their Messages of Peace and Solidarity.
Pakigdait Inc. will continue to cultivate the garden of peace we have started to plant and will unceasingly support whatever sparks peace for a better, progressive Mindanao.
To quote Dir. Abelardo Moya: “Walang iwanan.” For in the journey towards peace, no one must be left behind.
