Barangay Malazarte Matag-obKauswagan Farmers Association, Inc. (BMMKFAI) was organized April 23, 2013. This was because of the dire need of the farmers to be heard during their times of uncertainties.
The DENR project implementation during those time were a big question to the farmers. They didn’t want to accept the DENR program because of the great fear that they will lose their rights over the timberland classified land that they tilled, owned and paid their taxes faithfully for so many years. The DENR project implementation before which the DENR personnels implemented in the area during those time were coupled with harassment which was very disadvantageous to the farmers.
The farmers also were so innocent about the legalities of an association. They didn’t register their organization and nobody leads them in their plight. Chaos were still lingering in their minds.
Supertyphoon Yolanda codenamed “Haiyan” devastated Leyte on November 8, 2013. The farmers and their families were so helpless. The countryside was like a no man’s land.
Cosmopolitan Church- Manila under Senior Pastor Rev. Phoebe(Bing) Dakanay immediately sent relief goods to Leyte. The Canson’s and the Mahusay families took charge of the distribution. The target recipients were the families in Brgy. Malazarte, Matag-ob, Leyte; Palompon; Merida; Isabel; Villaba, Matag-ob, Kananga and Capoocan.
Later on BMMKFAI was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non- profit organization on January 17th of 2014, with the help of a friend. Cosmopolitan Church- Manila continue in assisting BMMKFAI in livelihood projects and especially in Human Values Formation.
BMMKFAI received assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Philippine Humanitarian Coalition/ World Bank Group IMF Filipino Staff Association (PHC/WBIFA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Senior Experten Services (SES) and Ms. Esther Pattenier (VROON).
BMMKFAI continue working for the rehabilitation in the countryside. Conducted stress debriefing up to the remote barangays of Cambadbad, Matag-ob, Leyte. Extends scholarship programs to the children of BMMKFAI members, launch feeding programs and helps in promoting the children’s rights and developments in the community. BMMKFAI is just working in a little way in order to help the people in the countryside.
The association president worked out for the right linkages and later on made a partnership with the VICARP thru the help of Dr. Joe Bacusmo the retired president of the Visayas State University (VSU). He then link us to the EcoFARMI Department headed by Dr. RomelArmecin. The association acquired assistance for scholarship sponsors from Feed The Hungry (FtH) and the Elsie-Jun Dakanay Scholarship Fund thru the effort of Rev. Phoebe Dakanay.
BMMKFAI officers and members actively participated with the different free trainings from NGO’s and GO’s who offered it for the furtherance of their skills and education.
The KapatidAgri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP) and the Kapatid Mentor Me Program spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) were launched in Leyte. BMMKFAI enjoyed and availed the programs and learned from production to the utilization and marketing of the products which are being in placed.
TESDA gave us the expertise in making the bread and pastries. The National Dairy Authority extends to the association the training in milk production and pasteurization. All these are beneficial to the association and BMMKFAI in partnership with the CALEL ENTERPRISES is now producing the milk drinks and its variants and the butter cookies named “Haiyan”. That reminds us the farmers pursuit to rise from the devastation of supertyphoon Yolanda codenamed “Haiyan”.
BMMKFAI continue to grow and flourish in partnership with different agencies in the academe, non- government organizations and different government agencies.
We always put in our minds and hearts to do always the right thing and honor our One True God.
BMMKFAI is a channel for the transformation in the countryside, uplifting the living condition of the members and non-members through empowerment, capacity building, reduce poverty, promote food security and sustainability.
A conduit in environmental stability and biodiversity, enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation, providing investment environment with adequate environmental, cultural and social safeguards, enhancing the participation of men and women.
To enhance and educate the members and non-members in organic or conventional and new ways of farming, livestock raising, uplift the living condition by assisting and providing them the services, facilities, skills training and developments, livelihood projects enterprise and irrigation needs.
We value people, work with commitment, transparency, accountability, integrity, honesty, teamwork and trust. Follow the ethical standards with great faith in achieving quality services and excellence.
