Sajahatra Bangsamoro to include Muslims and Christians in conflict affected areas

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 2): Sajahatra Bangsamoro to include Muslims and Christians in conflict affected areas

Representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government in the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program cited the inclusivity of rendering basic services to the communities even extending beyond the Bangsamoro areas.

Speaking at the Hermes Club press briefing at the Waterfront Insular Hote, Dr. Taugan Kikay, team leader of the project management of the MILF in the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program said the services of the program extend to both Christians and Muslims to ensure that they see and experience the caring hands of government especially in the once conflict-affected areas.

He said the Sajahatra Program simply puts to life its real meaning in the languages like Maguindanaowon, Malaysian and Arabic implying bracing for peace and development.

Kikay observed the program gets good acceptance even to the Muslim communities due to the basic services in education, health and livelihood assistance.

The Sajahatra Bangsamoro followed immediately following the dialogue between President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Japan, two years ago and the subsequent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the peace panels of the MILF and the government.

“The program is enjoyed by both the Muslims and Christians in the once conflict-affected areas,” Kikay said.

Hadizer Birowa, director of the Sajahatra Program under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said under the program, a total of 11,000 now enjoy insurance coverages through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

He also said that the Cotabato City Sanitarium Hospital is undergoing repair in order to cater to the sick.

Birowa also said that more than 16,000 children are now placed under the supplementary feeding program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development while 639 students enjoy scholarship grants from the Commission on Higher Education.

He said that through the Department of Education, reading, writing and arithmetic are now integrated in the education system of the Madaris.

“We also cater to place outside the conflict-affected areas like Mati City, Davao Oriental, Munay, Lanao del Norte, Butig, Lanao del Sur, Tungaoan, Zamboanga Sibugay and in areas like Magcawa, Albarca, Basilan, Bongao, Tawi-tawi, Jolo, Sulu and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao,” Birowa said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2381417497443/sajahatra-bangsamoro-to-include-muslims-and-christians-in-conflict-affected-areas