MILF: JICA holds Workshop on Socio-Economic Survey on Previously Acknowledged MILF Camp

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jun 4): JICA holds Workshop on Socio-Economic Survey on Previously Acknowledged MILF Camp



The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had recently held a 1-day Workshop and presentation of findings and results  of the Socio-Economic Survey in the previously acknowledged MILF Camps on Tuesday, May 31 held at Al Nor Convention Center, Cotabato City.

International groups such as the UNICEF, Save the Children, UN-PAO, UNHCR, the The Asia Foundation, the International Monitoring Team (IMT), OPAPP, BTC Socio-Economic Office, ICNet Limited, non-government organizations, civil society groups, local government units and the MILF, and other peace stakeholders attended the program.

Naoyuki Ochiai, the Head and Chief Leader of JICA Cotabato Project office said “JICA pursued the implementation of the Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro that provides comprehensive capacity development to assist the Bangsamoro people on different service for the creation of Bangsamoro government and during the transition period..”

He said further that the JICA is committed to assist the implementation of different programs and projects that are responsive to the needs of the communities.

“The purpose of the survey is to examine the socio-economic profile and different needs and development potentials to contribute for future development programs for communities at the previously acknowledged MILF camp like Camp Abubakar and its immediate environs in the municipality of Matanog, Buldon, Barira, all in Maguindanao province; Kapatagan, Balabagan and Marogong in Lanao del Sur”, Ochiai said.

Despite the uncertainty of the peace process, “JICA and the Japanese Government have remained steadfast in its commitment and support to the Bangsamoro peace process,” Ochiai stressed.

“With the implementation of strategic plan and interventions based on the area of the survey, JICA believes that the development can be achieved,” he said.

Mr. Koji Dimizu, JICA Project Coordinator, said that economic-survey started in September 2015 to February 2016. It aims to obtain socio-economic profiles of the selected communities, and obtain in-depth information on socio-economic needs of the people.

Engineer Nasiri Abas, local consultant of the survey presented that survey methods involves such as  community profiling with 720 respondents asked, focus group discussions were held with 120 sessions that included MILF combatants, farmers, religious leaders, youth and women.

Abas said there are also resource mapping and the so called supplementary survey on community development such as ocular survey, FGD, individual interview, market survey and SWOT workshop done in the research.

Meantime, among of the results of the survey were expectations raised by the communities were construction of basic infrastructure and facilities, strengthening quality of education, granting scholarship and advanced education or training opportunities to produce more Bangsamoro professionals. It also includes capitalizing the potential of high valued products such as coffee and abaca through technical and financial supports, and among others.

With Abas was his colleague Engineer Michael Abusama during the presentation of the findings and results of the socio-economic survey.

After the presentation, questions and answers followed whereby Mr. Matsamuto and Mr. Furuichi of the ICNet Limited helped in clarifying issues raised by the participants. Afterwards, workshops followed.

Dr Norodin Salam, Project Manager of the CCDP-B synthesized the program.
The BDA Deputy Executive Director Mr. Windel Diangcalan said that the camp survey is very significant. “The socio-economic survey is still timely and relevant as of this time; the people in the ground are still waiting for the delivery of peace dividends considered as gains of the peace process under the signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),” Diangcalan pointed out.

Professor Alih Sakaluran Aiyub of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission Socio-Economic Office made the closing remarks.

Aiyub thanked the JICA and the Japanese government for continuously extending their assistance to the Bangsamoro. He emphasized the relevance of the activity with the desire of the MILF to transform communities and its people from the status quo. “In terms of peace and development we are very far from the rest of the country…and this research is giving us windows where to start,” said Aiyub.

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