Pahamuddin, Special Geographic Area – The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) continues its mission to bring services closer to grassroots communities through the implementation of the Grassroots Level Operations and Convergence (GLOC) Program. The program’s latest initiative was held in the Municipality of Pahamuddin on December 16, aiming to enhance environmental governance and community empowerment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The event, spearheaded by MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim, commenced with a tree-planting activity under the Bangsamoro Urban Forest for Ecological Restoration (BUFFER) project. BUFFER is a key component of MENRE’s flagship Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program (IBGP), which seeks to restore ecological balance across the region. Minister Brahim, alongside Pahamuddin Mayor Badruddin Ebrahim, Vice-Mayor Datu Ibrahim Rahman, Bangsamoro Director General for Environment and Natural Resources Atty. Badr E. Salendab, and other MENRE officials, planted seedlings bearing their names at the grounds behind Datu Daud Rahman High School.
In addition to the symbolic tree-planting, MENRE turned over 50 trash bins and 5,000 seedlings to the local government unit (LGU) of Pahamuddin. To further support the community, 200 sacks of rice were distributed to attending residents.
During his speech, Minister Brahim underscored the essential role grassroots communities play in environmental conservation. “By empowering these communities, we foster environmental stewardship that will benefit not just us but future generations,” he said, emphasizing the collective responsibility of safeguarding the environment.
Mayor Ebrahim expressed his gratitude to MENRE for their continued efforts to extend services to Pahamuddin. He highlighted the significance of the distributed resources in addressing solid waste management issues and promoting a cleaner, greener community. “MENRE’s GLOC program will benefit not only our municipality but also the lives of our residents,” he remarked.
The GLOC program is a testament to MENRE’s commitment to promoting sustainable environmental practices and enhancing local governance in BARMM. Through initiatives like these, MENRE aims to achieve a healthy and sustainable environment for the Bangsamoro people, fostering unity and collaboration for a greener future.