BMFI, PPOC work on Bantay Bayanihan IPSP implementation

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 13): BMFI, PPOC work on Bantay Bayanihan IPSP implementation

Balay Mindanao Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) is working closely with Misamis Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to implement Bantay Bayanihan’s (BB) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) for 2011-2016 to further attain peace and development in the Province.

During the PPOC meeting on March 22, Sabrina F. Balais, BMFI Project Officer, shared that IPSP is a broad plan that shall guide the AFP in helping the nation attain and maintain internal peace and security in the near and medium-term.

“It also attempts to move away from the traditional paradigm where the protection of the state (and its legal representative, the government) is given priority at all cost and to a frame where people’s security takes center stage, and human rights is the bedrock of all actions of the AFP,” Balais added.

Furthermore, the IPSP’s end goals are targeted to national interests, ensure well-being for the people and institution, and guarantee sovereignty and territorial integrity protection and enhancement through good governance, delivery of basic services, economic reconstruction and sustainable development, and security sector reform after the mutual support of private and public sectors.

Bantay Bayanihan is a vehicle for the Civil society as oversight mechanism on the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) implementation, venue for discussion on IPSP issues and related concerns, especially in the non-combat-combat aspect of the IPSP plan, and institutionalize the active partnership of civil society, and other civilian all stakeholders.

It hopes to catalyze, facilitate, and most importantly, institutionalize the active partnership of civil society groups and other security stakeholders in the implementation of the IPSP- Bayanihan.

According to Balais, conducting regular meeting every two months for local dialogues, round table discussions with dialogue partners twice a year, annual assessment of IPSP, and Joint Military-CSO capacity building are among the ways to move forward in fostering peace and security in Misamis Oriental.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1461365742753