Six years on, ARMM Social Fund Project works to sustain gains

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 13, 2009) – Some 250 stakeholders and project key players from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have gathered here Monday in an effort to share knowledge and experiences in the implementation and sustaining priority projects implemented in their respective areas.

Members of people organizations (POs) in communities with ASFP-supported projects, representatives from local government units and regional line agencies will be exchanging stories on project implementation in a two-day convention and workshop organized by the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) starting today.

The activity is aimed at culling out the best methods and practices in project implementation, said Project Manager Mustapha Sambolawan.

A total of 1,535 community-based projects have been implemented by POs throughout the region since the start of its operation in 2003.

“LGUs are indispensable in the proper implementation of projects and their help would be crucial in ensuring its sustainability,” Sambolawan said in a statement.

The ASFP is a multi-component, community focused assistance funded through a loan package from the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It is now on its sixth year of working to empower ARMM communities.

“The ARMM Social Fund Project has been the champion of the regional government in introducing and supporting programs and projects that are intended to alleviate poverty, improve health and education, and fast-track the economy,” said ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan.

Ampatuan said they are working to avail of a fresh loan package from the World Bank to support the second phase of the ASFP.

The World Bank has graded the ASFP management and project implementation as very satisfactory in its latest assessment.

The ASFP, which is under the ministerial control of Ampatuan, has dozens of projects funded by the World Bank and the Japan Bank on International Cooperation. The ASFP is aimed at reducing poverty and build peace in the Muslim communities. (ARMM-Bureau of Public Information)