AFP LAUNCHES AAGAPAY LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM

The 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army recently launched its countryside development and livelihood enhancement programs through the “Aagapay sa Kalinaw Invitational Shootfest Shoot for a Cause”, a 6-staged, PPSA sanctioned level 1 match, which was aimed at generating funds for its different developmental and livelihood programs across Central Mindanao.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is shifting its gear towards poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement, as its main thrust against insurgency and terrorism.”, 6ID spokesman Col Jonathan Ponce said.

Ponce further said that through the Aagapay program, several livelihood cooperatives have already been established in Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat which benefit the families of former rebels and families in war-torn areas. Among these, he said, is a cooperative in Paglat town in Maguindanao, which produces muscovado sugar, and another in Pigcawayan town in Cotabato, which is engaged in farming and hog-raising. Ponce added that these cooperatives are being supported mainly by the local chief executives, the Cooperative Development Authority and the National Economic Development Authority.

The Aagapay sa Kalinaw Invitational Shootfest was attended by more than 200 shooters from all over Central Mindanao, who showed their support for the AFP’s projects.

“This is a paradigm shift from the AFPs search and destroy tactics, and I think this is actually what our brothers in the countryside need right now. The Aagapay lends a lot of credence to the whole government bureaucracy’s poverty alleviation programs”, Mr Faizal Ungakay, President of the Cotabato City Pistol and Rifle Association, which co-organized the event, added.

COL POMPEO V LIMBO FA (GSC) PA, Assistant Division Commander of 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, fires the inaugural shot during the AAgapay sa Kalinaw Invitational Shootfest.