At the outset, Gregorio Ipong, who served as former mayor of Makilala, congressman of second district of Cotabato, and vice governor of the province, opposed the planned construction of geothermal plants in Mt. Apo. It was only after exposure trips to other model geothermal plants when he later changed his mind.
He was overwhelmed when he subsequently found out about the establishment of MAFI, a non-profit organization with multisectoral representation from both government and non-government sectors, tasked to embark on programs on environment, culture, and social services using the royalty to be collected from the geothermal plants.
As a public official and a long-time member of MAFI, Gregorio helped it the best way he could by attending its various meetings, and giving aid when necessary. He remembered sponsoring the publication and launching of its newsletter (maiden issue) which reported on its major milestones. Additionally, he recalled providing monthly rice subsidy to its scholars, and supporting the implementation of its hanging bridge project for a local community.
“Despite its challenges, MAFI has reached 25 years serving its beneficiaries with true public service as its core value. It has delivered results especially in providing scholarship to young and deserving youth in numerous barangays in Kidapawan, Magpet, and Makilala. The lives of people it has served has evidently improved since the time it implemented its intervention programs,” he weighed.
Aside from education, he noted that MAFI has undertaken programs on environmental conservation and protection as well as on cultural heritage, benefiting its scholars and local villages.
Gregorio pointed out that development funds channeled to reliable and credible organizations like MAFI can have lasting and meaningful outcomes if these are used properly.
“I hope that MAFI will be self-sustaining and can explore other ways to get more support so that it can carry on with its development work and have more wider reach and impact,” he concluded.
Gregorio T. Ipong
Partner/Former Representative 2nd District of Cotabato
