DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao del Sur — March 2, 2026 — Government and military officials joined local leaders and members of the Teduray community in a groundbreaking ceremony that marked the start of another development project aimed at strengthening livelihoods and agricultural productivity in the province.
The new facility, a warehouse equipped with a solar dryer, will be built in Sitio Bagong, Barangay Kabengi, in the municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan under the government’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program (PAMANA). The project is designed to support the Teduray Indigenous community by improving post-harvest handling and reducing crop losses—an issue that has long affected farmers in remote areas of Maguindanao del Sur.
The ceremony followed an earlier PAMANA groundbreaking held on February 24, 2026 for Phase 2 of a road concreting project and the construction of another warehouse with a solar dryer in Barangays Tuayan and Talibadok in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan.
Strengthening Indigenous Livelihoods
Officials said the facility is expected to significantly benefit Teduray farmers by providing proper storage and drying equipment for rice and other agricultural products. With a solar dryer included in the design, the facility will allow farmers to dry their harvest more efficiently and maintain quality even during the rainy season—helping boost productivity and income.
Among those who attended the event were Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade; Loqui O. Marco, commanding officer of the 90th Infantry Battalion; and Bassir Utto, mayor of the municipality. Also present was Bryan O. Arevalo, Peace Program Officer V of the Social Development Unit of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, who serves as deputy program head assisting in the implementation of the project.
Mayor Utto expressed strong support for the PAMANA initiative, describing it as a major step toward improving agriculture and strengthening the livelihoods of the Teduray community in the area.
He emphasized that collaboration between the local government, national agencies, and the military is essential to sustain development and ensure lasting peace in the municipality. The mayor also called on residents to protect and maintain the government projects being implemented in their community.
“The long-term success of these initiatives depends on the shared responsibility and active participation of every member of the community,” Utto said.
Security and Development Go Hand in Hand
For the military, the project represents more than infrastructure—it reflects ongoing efforts to sustain peace and stability in communities previously affected by conflict.
Brig. Gen. Catu conveyed his appreciation to stakeholders and assured residents that the 601st Infantry Brigade will continue supporting peace and security efforts in the area. Maintaining a stable environment, he said, is key to ensuring that development programs reach communities that need them most.
In a message relayed during the event, Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of Joint Task Force Central and the 6th Infantry Division, underscored the crucial role of security forces in strengthening cooperation between the government and communities.
He highlighted that the division remains committed to fostering safe and peaceful communities not only for Indigenous Peoples but for all residents across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Central Mindanao.
A Continuing Push for Peace and Progress
The PAMANA projects in Maguindanao del Sur are part of broader efforts to address the needs of conflict-affected and marginalized communities by combining infrastructure development, livelihood support, and strengthened security presence.
For the Teduray farmers of Barangay Kabengi, the warehouse and solar dryer symbolize more than a new facility—they represent a step toward stability, resilience, and sustainable economic growth in a region steadily moving toward peace and development.