COTABATO: A farmer in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is full of gratitude for a government program that helped his daughter earn an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering degree. Mhads Motalib, a rice and corn farmer in Barangay Dungguan, Nabalawag, couldn't contain his happiness upon seeing his daughter, Darwisa, march toward the stage during the recent commencement exercises at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato. 'My heart is full of joy for my daughter,' Motalib said in the vernacular in a radio interview on Tuesday. Nabalawag is one of the eight newly created towns in the BARMM-Special Geographic Area. Motalib lauded the Ministry of Social Services and Development for providing financial assistance for his daughter during the pandemic when he barely earned. 'I hope more students from indigent families will get help from you,' he said, referring to the agency. Darwisa was among the indigent students who are beneficiaries of of the 'Angat Bangsamoro: Kabataan Tungo sa Karunungan' (ABaKa or translated as Rise Bangasamoro: Rise Toward Knowledge) program. Her journey was among the thousands of success stories of poor but deserving students who got through college through a government scholarship program. 'This scholarship grant was a huge help for me, who have three children, all of whom are studying in college. Without this program, I would not have supported my child in achieving her dreams.' Motalib said. Dawisa said she looks forward to taking the licensure examinations to pursue her dream of becoming a full-fledged engineer. Source: Philippines News Agency