Cotabato city: The Ministry of Labor and Employment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOLE-BARMM) has empowered eight community-based organizations by providing seed money to fund their income-generating projects. This initiative aims to strengthen rural enterprises, according to a labor official.

According to Philippines News Agency, MOLE-BARMM Minister Muslimin Sema stated that the livelihood assistance is part of the Bangsamoro Rural Employment through Entrepreneurial Development (BREED) program. The assistance was distributed during a recent ceremonial program held at the MOLE regional office. The recipient groups, which include farmers, women, and youth associations involved in food production, are based in the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talitay, Guindulungan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, and South Upi.

Each workers' association received PHP50,000 aimed at improving production capacity, product development, and generating additional income opportunities for their members. The intervention was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), represented by Helen Rojas, as part of multi-stakeholder partnerships advancing inclusive rural development in the Bangsamoro region.

Minister Sema emphasized that through the BREED program, MOLE continues to support small-scale enterprises in creating decent work and contributing to inclusive economic growth, particularly in underserved areas of the region.