Local CSOs to monitor TISP funded programs in ARMM

By Dave G. Malcampo

BONGAO, Tawi-tawi, Nov. 6  - Local civil society organizations (CSO) will be monitoring the implementation of various projects in the different provinces within the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which are funded under the P8.59 billion Transition Investment Support Plan (TISP) for ARMM. 

      In a 3-day workshop, recently conducted, some 20 CSO convened at DanMar Hotel in Pasiagan, Bogao, Tawi-tawi for the briefings of the projects implemented by some government agencies. This was followed by an orientation in the process and mechanics in monitoring of TISP projects; and as their practicum, participants were sent out in teams to do actual project monitoring.The workshop theme describes the role of the CSOs: “Capacitating CSO Partners bilang Bantay, Tulay, Gabay at Kaagapay para sa Reforma at Pagbabago.”

TFI Program Manager Arlene N. Sevilla-Aming  said that local CSO members are ‘very excited’ with the role and empowerment given them.  

“This is a manifestation that President Aquino recognizes the important role of the NGOs along his policy of transparency in government, and his advocacy for public-private partnership to bring about development in the countryside,” Aming said.

Asked to comment on the billion-peso package of projects for Tawi-tawi, the general feeling of workshop participants was that of joy primarily because the national government has “given us a fair share of developmental funds, and most significant of all,  the recognition given us and our involvement and participation in the implementation of these projects.”

Expressing his thoughts, Asnasser Dammang, a fisherfolk CSO of NAPAQA  in Sibutu, said the package of projects for their province is relatively small compared to what other provinces have availed but, he stressed, never did they have this much in the past.

For Muslini A. Talib, also a fisherfolk of South Ubian, he said that he is hopeful the TISP stimulus fund will have a dent in addressing poverty alleviation. (JPA/FDM/ PIA-ZBST)