Feature: Gains of the Bangsamoro Peace Process trickles down to communities in conflict-affected areas

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 24): Feature: Gains of the Bangsamoro Peace Process trickles down to communities in conflict-affected areas 

Just and lasting peace has been one of the major ideals of the Aquino government.

Chapter 8 of the updated Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 lays down the tracks the administration undertakes to restore peace in communities affected by and vulnerable to armed conflict.

Track 1 aims to achieve negotiated political settlement of all internal armed conflicts while Track 2 or the Complementary Track sees to address the causes and impacts of all internal armed conflicts and other issues that affect the peace process through development, justice and security interventions focused on conflict-affected and other conflict vulnerable areas.

The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) was launched in 2011 and is the national government’s convergence framework and program for peace-building. It was implemented in 44 provinces that were identified to be vulnerable to armed conflict.

Meanwhile, the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program is a development program jointly implemented by the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which was launced in 2013.

The Sajahatra Program aims to uplift and develop the health , education and livelihood conditions of the Bangsamoro communities in partnership with National Government Agencies.

As of November 2014, 9,477 beneficiaries enrolled and were provided with access to health services through enrolment in the Health Insurance Premiums (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation). In addition, 8,453 three-to-five year old children have improved health conditions through undergoing the Supplementary Feeding Program.

The Education sector also reaped huge gains with 37 private Madaris (Islamic schools) are enabled for the adoption of the Standard Madrasah Curriculum through the provision of financial assistance amounting to P125,000 (1st tranche of mobilization grant of P250,000). The amount is under the Financial Assistance to Madrasah Program, as provided in DepEd Order 18, series of 2008.

639 individuals were also enrolled under the Commission on Higher Education Study Grants Program as of First Semester of 2014-2015.

517 students completed the skills training scholarship under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) while 513 are currently undergoing the program.

Through the Cash-for-Work program of DSWD, 9,682 individuals were also provided with access to employment.

Beneficiaries in 5 communities were provided with livelihood assistance in the form of livelihood implements such as vegetable seedlings, root crops, rice, corn, seed and farming implements through the Department of Agriculture.

Significantly, the national government witnessed the historic turnover of 75 firearms by the MILF and the decommissioning of 145 Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. The Moro returnees will be given immediate assistance and health insurance as part of the socio-economic package.

Furthermore, 439 hectares are already undergoing implementation of social preparation requirements for the development of the land for sustainable human development and economic and ecological security under the National Greening Program, which is coursed through DENR.

The ongoing peace negotiations also boosted the business climate in the Bangsamoro region. A total of P7.499 billion worth of investment projects poured into the region since 2012, up to the 2nd quarter of 2015 and generated 6,805 jobs.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001437644416/feature-gains-of-the-bangsamoro-peace-process-trickles-down-to-communities-in-conflict-affected-areas-