Maguindanao del Sur — Two women’s cooperatives in Maguindanao del Sur have received socioeconomic and livelihood support packages from the Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on November 5, 2025.

The recipient cooperatives are the Sampao Moro Ummahat Agri-Business Marketing Cooperative in Rajah Buayan, and the Bangsamoro Lalan sa Kalilintad Marketing Cooperative in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur.

The received livelihood support packages includes equipment such as upright chiller, chest freezer inverter, gas range, coin-operated commercial coffee vending machine, and various kitchen essentials such as frying pans, wok pots, boilers, casseroles, tea kettles, kitchen utensils, and dinnerware sets.

Prior to receiving their livelihood packages, the cooperatives participated in a series of training sessions as part of the program. These sessions focused on empowering women to be active voices within their communities, increasing awareness of women’s rights and forms of gender-based violence, and establishing local protection mechanisms and referral pathways. Additional training also covered financial literacy, business management, and cooperative operations to equip members with the skills necessary for sustaining and expanding their enterprises.

Previously, three cooperatives from Sharif Aguak, Ampatuan, and Salibo also received livelihood support packages under the same program.

This initiative is part of the “EmpowerHer: Women Cooperatives in Action” project, which aims to enhance the quality of life for women, particularly the six cooperatives led by survivors of gender-based violence in Maguindanao del Sur by strengthening their capacities in livelihood development and cooperative management to become more active partners in social and economic development of their communities.