Joint OPAPP/MILF Brigada Eskwela seen as part of transformation program towards normalization

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 5): Joint OPAPP/MILF Brigada Eskwela seen as part of transformation program towards normalization

While deliberations and review of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress continues, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reach out to communities in Mindanao.

Through the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela cum outreach program, OPAPP and MILF partner with the military, police, local leaders, parents, school officials, health workers, students and other stakeholders undertake repair of damage classrooms, cleaning of school premises, distribution of books, toothbrush and tooth paste, free haircut, and dentral extraction.

GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer leads the activity said starting June 3 in Camp Busra in Butig, Lanao del Sur while CCCH chief Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez and MILF National Guard Deputy Brigade Commander Abdulkadir Manibpel spearheaded the similar event in Camp Rajahmuda, Pikit, Cotabato.

During the June 4 Brigada Eskwela at Camp Abubakar in Barira, Maguindanao Ferrer said, they target 18 public schools within MILF camps In the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte to update communities on the gains of the peace process explaining the status of the BBL while gathering feedbacks, opinions and sentiments through informal interaction with local residents for better understanding and appreciation of people in the proposed core territories.

“Dito ipinapakita ang pagsasama-sama  ng MILF-BIAF at kasundaluhan hawak ang mga gamit sa pagaayos ng sirang silid aralan, blackboard at upuan,  at bolo at walis panglinis ng paligid ng paaralan sa pagbabalik eskwela ng mga kabataan sa halip na baril. Bahagi ito ng pagsisikap upang magkaroon ng kaunlaran, pagpapahalaga sa edukasyon ng mga kabataan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon hindi lamang sa sarili,kundi para sa komunidad, lipunan at bayan,” Ferrer said.

(This manifests the partnership between the MILF-BIAF and military to unite for the common goal of service to the community-armed with tools for the repair of damaged classrooms and cleaning school premises with the opening of classes)

Ferrer said,  the series of Brigada Eskwela activity in 18 schools in MILF camps is part of the transformation process under the Annex on Normalization provided in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) to transform “camps into peaceful and productive communities” in preparation for the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity upon the approval and passage of the proposed BBL.

A  GPH-MILF Joint Task Force on Normalization is created to undertake study and recommendations for transformation programs/activities to ensure long-term sustainable outcomes and development in the Bangsamoro area.

Admitting the rough sail the BBL faces in Congress, the objective is clear, Ferrer said, quest for just and meaningful solution to the peace problem in Mindanao for the interest of the majority of the people and communities in Southern Philippines.

“May problema sa BBL pero malinaw ang layunin - ang hanapan ng solusyon ang problema para sa interes ng nakakarami at tuloy ang pagbabantay natin sa takbo nito at sana maiangat ang estado para maiakyat na sa plenary sa lalong madaling panahon,” Ferrer said.

Appealing for speedy review and deliberation of the BBL, Ferrer stressed the proposal was not done overnight but rather is a product of years of negotiations, discussions and consultation/dialogues with various sectors that guarantees responsive, responsible and accountable autonomous government.(

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1661433482321/joint-opapp-milf-brigada-eskwela-seen-as-part-of-transformation-program-towards-normalization