Manila Bulletin

Tausug women in conflict areas find solution to food security

By LIZA ABUBAKAR-JOCSON

A simple gardening program in Sulu is bringing soldiers and residents together to address the root of poverty and conflict in island communities.

Tausug women from a war-ravaged village in Talipao town have formed themselves into the Bud Bunga Women’s Association, a group which aims to embark on gardening to ensure food security in their community.

A private firm, the East-West Seeds Corporation, donated seedlings. Soldiers installed a 4,000-liter water system and sanitation facility for the community.

The organization launched a competition for the most productive garden.

“We hope that this venture will expand into a livelihood program for our members to benefit,” said Analin Robin, Bud Bunga Women’s Organization president.

The gardening activity, conducted in partnership with AFP’s 2nd Special Forces Battalion, is intended as a forerunner to the Bud Bunga Balik Barangay program.

Balik Barangay aims to encourage residents to return to their communities after escaping the conflict between soldiers and the Abu Sayyaf.

“Through food security, we hope to reduce the vulnerability of the locals to be dragged into conflict in exchange for food, money or other sustenance,” said Lt. Col. Jooney Jay R Busiños, 2nd Special Forces Battalion commanding officer.

Provincial News

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2021-05-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

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