Zamboanga City – The Municipality of Hadji Mohammad Ajul entered into a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 9 to maximize the benefits of social protection programs by developing evidence-based services for the poor through the Listahanan project and minimize wastage of government resources by ensuring that only those who are deserving benefit from social protection programs.

“Congratulations and thank you to Hon. Mayor Talib G. Pawaki for believing in what Listahanan can do,” said Sulma S. Sabtal, Listahanan focal for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BST).

She also extended her sincerest gratitude to the municipal government’s designated data protection officer (DPO), Engr. Amar A. Najal and its Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO), Arshima Sawalun “for taking significant steps in perfecting the DSA.”

Based on the Listahanan 3 data, the Municipality of Hadji Mohammad Ajul is number four among the top five poorest municipalities in the BST region with 96.9% poverty magnitude.

The signing of the DSA was led by Mayor Pawaki at Menzi, Isabela City, Basilan.

In addition, the municipality was the first local government under the BST region to sign a partnership agreement with the social welfare agency on the utilization of Listahanan 3. ###