The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) is allocating PHP45 million (USD780,000) to support agriculture-related livelihood and climate resilience programs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), the initiative aims to benefit 28,000 people, particularly indigenous women, by providing training in climate-resilient agriculture and leadership skills. The program also seeks to strengthen women cooperatives by connecting their agricultural products to stable markets.

Violeta Dominguez Acosta, head of Spanish Cooperation in the Philippines, emphasized the need for gender equality and climate resilience, saying, “If we are talking about climate resilience in a country most at risk of extreme climate, we must put indigenous women and their communities at the center of the action.”

The WFP noted that rural and indigenous women in BARMM face barriers such as climate-related risks that limit their access to resources and decision-making, leading to poverty and loss of livelihood opportunities.

The project also incorporates social behavior change initiatives to enhance local food and nutrition practices.

“WFP thanks AECID for their important contribution to enhancing resilience in BARMM. With the increasing frequency and intensity of climate emergencies in the Philippines, women are especially vulnerable,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Regis Chapman.

The initiative is part of WFP’s ongoing support for the Philippines’ efforts to build resilience and strengthen food and social protection systems.