2026-04-12

Project TABANG aids over 100 Tawi-Tawi farmers with farm inputs

Farmers and local officials pose with distributed agricultural assistance, including cassava stalks, fertilizers, and solar-powered knapsack sprayers, during a Project TABANG activity in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi on March 29, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Project TABANG) PANGLIMA SUGALA, Tawi-Tawi — The Office of the Chief Minister, through Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamoro (TABANG), has provided agricultural assistance to more than 100 farmers in Panglima Sugala and Bongao to boost productivity, improve livelihoods, and strengthen food security in the province. Project TABANG, on Sunday, March 29, distributed assistance to over 100 farmers from Barangay Balimbing and nearby communities in Panglima Sugala. The aid included cassava stalks, fertilizers, and other inputs intended to help farmers expand production capacity and generate additional income. The activity was conducted in coordination with the Panglima Sugala local government and the 12th Marine Rifle Battalion. Hamka Malabong, Project TABANG provincial coordinator in Tawi-Tawi, emphasized the need to sustain agricultural production in the municipality amid rising costs. “Panglima Sugala is known as the food basket of Tawi-Tawi, so it is crucial to sustain our source of agricultural products in the province,” Malabong said. Earlier, on March 25, the office distributed similar assistance to over 50 farming families in Barangay Lapid-Lapid, Bongao. Beneficiaries received solar-powered electric knapsack sprayers, fertilizers, and cassava stalks. The activity, conducted in partnership with the Bangsamoro Women Commission Tawi-Tawi Provincial Office and the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office, also featured an information session on women’s legal rights, highlighting the role of women’s empowerment in community development. Project TABANG continues to support rural development efforts in Tawi-Tawi by promoting agricultural sustainability, food security, and farmer empowerment. (Laila Aripin/BIO with reports from Project TABANG Tawi-Tawi)