December 2, 2024. The transition period in the Bangsamoro Region, an autonomous region in Southern Philippines has begun in January 2019. This period is the time allotted to this newly established region to establish its local governance system that is responsive to the distinct culture, way of life and belief of its people.
Five years since then, significant progress has been achieved. In communities ravaged by the conflict in the past, access to basic services has improved with the assistance of various partners. This is specifically by experience through the project SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Interventions in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
“SUBATRA-ECSO is among the development initiatives that contributes to the smooth and peaceful transition in Bangsamoro”, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) reports.
BDA Inc. is local non- government organization operating in Bangsamoro Region and is reaching communities within and beyond the region.
Through the SUBATRA-ECSO, BDA Inc. is engaging thirty communities across BARMM who have felt the transition and development in their lives and communities.
In Basilan, change has become more visible when BARMM was established.
“Our village has slowly began to transform”, Nasira Lijal told. She is from Brgy. Tuburan, Hadji Muhamad Ajul, Basilan.
“Schools were established, giving children access to quality education, and health facilities were finally developed, providing essential services that had long been missing”, she added.
The development brought by BARMM did not just improve infrastructure; it also brought a renewed sense of hope to the people of Brgy. Tuburan.
In the island province of Tawi- Tawi, the people in Pasiagan, Bongao testified that it was their first time to receive food packs and education kits for the vulnerable groups in their village through the SUBATRA-ECSO Project.
A Badjao village in the island are organized to undergo livelihood training with provision of tools and equipment as start-up capital along with other capacity building support for operation, management and sustainability.
In Sulu, the people’s organizations are beyond grateful that the support for them remains even after the exclusion of the province from BARMM, pursuant to the rulings issued by the Philippine Supreme Court September 2024.
Community groups in Maguindanao have heighten trust to the possibility of development in their lives.
The indigenous people in the region feel the inclusion and compassion from the government through the CSOs and donors bringing to them development assistance.
From the Special Geographical Area (SGA-BARMM), production of banana chips in various flavors has become part of the lives of women group where they generate income for their families.
Assistance for people’s organizations in the MILF camp communities is also true with the SUBATRA-ECSO project. There are twelve POs provided with livelihood support such as skills training with complete set of tools and equipment.
Operating since 2021, the project SUBATRA-ECSO has already served 12, 107 individuals across the thirty villages that are within and outside the Bangsamoro territory.
For the BDA Inc. as local implementing partner of the project, support to communities is crucial in this period of transition in the Bangsamoro.
“The process of transition is a process of building the governance of Bangsamoro, and it is significant that people at the grassroots level are involved. This is through this development project like the SUBATRA-ECSO that organizes and mobilizes the community groups, help them plan, manage, operate and sustain their chosen local projects”, BDA Inc. stated.
Various training conducted were related to social protection like basic human rights, integrated risk and resilience management. Provision of basic services have benefited the vulnerable groups through series of community assemblies with the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and BARMM Ministries, Offices and Agencies. This, as well, was a form of information dissemination about BARMM’s programs and services, more so with the radio program and the social media usage. Livelihood support to POs and collaboration with CSOs are integral components of the project. (BDA Communication, 2024)
