Donor-embassies introduce new projects for ex-MILF troops’ societal reintegration

From the Business Mirror (Jun 22, 2022): Donor-embassies introduce new projects for ex-MILF troops’ societal reintegration (By MANUEL CAYON)

The United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and Australia have pooled new resources to fund major social projects for former Mindanao-based combatants, including their families and communities.

Ambassadors Luc Véron of the EU Delegation in the Philippines and Steven Robinson of Australia, together with UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez launched on June 15 two projects designed in partnership with the Office of Presidential Adviser of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). These, they averred, will aid former combatants’ reintegration process into mainstream society.

Said initiatives would cover the communities in and around the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Camp Bilal in the two Lanao provinces, Camp Bushra in Lanao del Sur, Camp Rajamuda in North Cotabato, as well as Camp Badre, Camp Omar, Camp Abubakar all in Maguindanao.

The Access to Legal Identity and Social Services for Decommissioned Combatants (ALIAS-DC) project will support former combatants as they revert into civilian life by giving them legal identities. It will provide birth registration for 31,000 former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, their families, the Bangsamoro Islamic Women’s Brigade, and members of communities around MILF camps from marginalized sectors such as internally displaced persons and indigenous people.

Legal identity will accord individuals with certificates of live births, as former MILF combatants and their families will be able to cross checkpoints freely. They will also be able to access basic services and social protection. Nongovernment organization IDEALS will carry out this initiative forward to 2023 with funding of P62.41 million from the EU, and P18.1 million from Australia.

On the other hand, the Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment (PROACTIVE), will promote economic income and sustainable livelihoods, community resilience and security for two years.

PROACTIVE will work with commanders to create viable livelihoods in previously armed camps by supporting the formation of social enterprises, offering individual agricultural and nonagricultural livelihood training sessions, assistance packages, as well as improving access to basic services and social infrastructure.

The project will also work to transform conflict and create a culture of peace by enhancing the capacities and participation of local stakeholders such as women, youth, and faith-based leaders in community development and peacebuilding. Implemented by the UN Development Programme or UNDP, the project is jointly funded by the EU for P221 million.

After decades of conflict, obtaining a legal identity through birth certificate is a first step for former combatants in their re-engagement into society. As affirmed by the EU delegation, access to peace dividends also involves recreating viable livelihoods in previously armed camps. Achieving these goals of normalization requires strong ties among all stakeholders.

“Peace and development must walk hand-in-hand… Today we celebrate another milestone in this complex but rewarding journey,” said Gonzalez. “[The UN is] proud of being part of this collective investment jointly with the BTA, OPAPRU and our…development partners Australia and the EU.”

“The EU is here to support the work of the Bangsamoro Transitional Government and the OPAPRU to further consolidate the peace process,” confirmed Véron. “[We have] been a staunch and long-standing supporter of the peace efforts in Mindanao: with the projects we [launched since 2020, we have invested over €105 million, or some P9 billion] in projects covering…development and capacity-building for the transition.”

The EU envoy added: “We are happy to be partnering with Australia and the UN on normalization, since enhancing the normalization track—allowing for all the people engaged in the conflict to lead peaceful and productive lives without leaving anyone behind—is crucial to build lasting peace.”

Robinson remarked that Australia is a long-time supporter of Mindanao’s peace process, particularly in normalization. “I’m glad…we are helping provide… foundational assistance to former combatants. Identity documents are something that many of us take for granted; but if you lack these, you can find yourself locked out of education, health, work, and wider opportunities to participate in society. I hope these documents will help kick-start the process to transform these camps into peaceful communities.”

In his more than three-and-a-half years in the Philippines, the Australian ambassador shared that he has been fortunate to work closely with the government of the Philippines on the peace process, particularly Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr.: “I believe [the global community’s support is essential to the peace process here, as] no country can do this all on its own. I’m also proud that we are working on this together with the EU and the UN… I look forward to seeing more work that our collaboration will support in the future.”

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/06/22/donor-embassies-introduce-new-projects-for-ex-milf-troops-societal-reintegration/