The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), continued its celebration of National Shelter Month with the successful turnover of a multipurpose two-storey human development training center in Brgy. Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on October 7, 2024.

The event was held in partnership with the office of Member of Parliament Abdullah E. Gayak.

The project was funded under the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) 2022 and was implemented by the MHSD regional office in collaboration with MHSD-Maguindanao.

In his message, Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim recalled the past when meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions were held under trees.

“The construction of these training centers is one of the priority projects of the members of the parliament and is entrusted to us at the MHSD. This is to facilitate and make more comfortable the development of knowledge and skills in spirituality and other aspects of the community,” said DG Ebrahim.

Representing MP Gayak, who happily participated in the activity, Ustaz Habib Usman, Supervising Political Affairs Officer, said that the MP can be considered a hero for his achievements and sacrifices over the years for the welfare of the Bangsamoro.

He also conveyed their gratitude to the MHSD and the project contractor for the effective implementation that resulted in a beautiful training center that just opened in the area.

Omer Kesmen, Regional Representative of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) from Turkey, also expressed his support in his message.

He stated that he has been residing and serving in the region for over 12 years and has never felt like a foreigner. He expressed his high respect and admiration for the Bangsamoro.

“Your intentions are pure and good, so Allah SWT will help you, and we always pray for you,” said Kesmen, followed by an encouragement to teach the Bangsamoro history to the youth.

As Vice President for Planning and Research and representative of the Ittihadul Madaris Bil Phillippines, Inc., the beneficiary of the training center, Nasrudin Yusof expressed his gratitude and commitment to maintaining the condition and order of the building as a center for tarbiyah for the development of the different sectors in the community.

The turnover ceremony concluded with the words of Suharto S. Wahab, Director II of the Technical and Regulatory Services (TRS) of the MHSD, where he urged the beneficiary to maintain the operation of the training center and interpreted GAYAK in Maguindanaon as Gobyerno A Ya nin Atulan na Kapagungaya (a government that upholds goodness).