EU to give P605.4 million for peace initiatives in Bangsamoro

From the Philippine Star (Feb 20, 2022): EU to give P605.4 million for peace initiatives in Bangsamoro (By: Ryan D. Rosauro)

SEAT OF POWER | The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Government Center in Cotabato City houses the offices of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. (Photo courtesy of the BANGSAMORO INFORMATION OFFICE)

The European Union is set to pour in €10.4 million (about P605.4 million) for initiatives that support the normalization program of the Bangsamoro peace process.

The Project Steering Committee (PSC)o f the Mindanao Peace and Development Program-Peace and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has just approved four projects for funding by the EU, according to Director Wendell Orbeso of the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity,

The PSC is co-chaired by the presidential peace adviser, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.; BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, who is also peace implementing panel chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and Christoph Wagner, head of cooperation of the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

Wagner said the projects, which are expected to start within two months, “will primarily focus on camps transformation, socioeconomic interventions for the acknowledged camps and Marawi City, and the decommissioning process for MILF combatants.”

The project implementers are the United Nations Development Programme, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund.

Orbeso said the projects would specifically address pressing issues on poverty, peace, and security.

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