LEAP Bangsamoro eyes projects in Sulu

SULU – Good news for coffee and seaweeds farmers! A group of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) recently visited Sulu province and met with Governor Sakur Tan and discussed the projects that will benefit the farmers and cooperatives.

A Sulu provincial government photo shows Gov. Sakur Tan with LEAP members.

The NGOs were led by Goyena San Pascual and Hanna May Sales, of the People in Need (PIN); Faridah Salic and Najer Jalel, of Maranao People Development Cooperative Association Inc. (MARADECA); Neil Antoque, of the United Youth of Philippines-Women (UnYPhil-Women). 

The group is at the forefront of a project called Leveraging and Expanding Agri-Aqua Production (LEAP) in Bangsamoro which is funded by the European Union (EU). 

In their proposal to Tan, LEAP would provide a comprehensive action to strengthen the quality and diversity of coffee and seaweed production through improved access to inputs, extension services, processing facilities and financial services. They also sought the permission of Tan to engage with the communities on this project. 

Tan thanked the NGOs and EU for the initiative in the sector of Agriculture. “Cultivating and sustaining agriculture in the province is an important key area in the progress and development of Sulu,” he told the representatives of the NGOs. 

He also advised them to coordinate with local governments in the implementation of the projects. 

Antoque, a marine biologist, informed Tan of the potential of seaweed farms to serve as a form of eco-tourism attraction in Sulu, to help boost tourism efforts in the province. “Pwede po makatulong ang seaweeds palakasin ang turismo sa Sulu, ang mga taniman ng seaweeds ay isang natural na ekoturismong atraksyon,” Antoque told Tan. 

According to PIN, they have partnered with MARADECA and UnYPhil-Women, ensuring contextual relevance and effective implementation of the endeavors. (Mindanao Examiner)