KORONADAL CITY -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) recently received P4.5 million from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in line with the National Government's Cleep initiative.

Cleep stands for Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program, which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched in December 2008 as part of the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of the global financial crunch.

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Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser C. Pangandaman Sr. said the fund would be used for the micro-financing program of the department that can be availed by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARCs).

The amount is an initial assistance from the government to support the unserved communities and their households of ARCs in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Lanao del Sur, the official said.

The amount will be released by the autonomous Muslim region’s Agrarian Reform department to 15 microfinance institutions and cooperatives as interest-free loans. (BSS)