Community Development in the Camps (77)
Camp Abubakar children joyful of Madrasah classroom from EU, UNDP
Written by BDA Communications
October 31, 2024. Three hundred- thirty pupils of Madrasah in Camp Abubakar (Calagan, Tugaig, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte) are joyful of the classroom constructed through the support of European Union and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The said 2-classroom Madrasah building worth P3.2M was formally turned over today October 31, 2024 at Brgy. Tugaig, led by the new EU Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Massimo Santoro, together with his delegation and other partners in peace.
Ambassador Santoro said in a statement: “My visit here today is my first mission visit outside of Manila. And I think what is here today is a clear commitment of the European Union in supporting and sustaining sustainable peace and inclusive development in the BARMM.”
Madrasah An-nama Al-Islamiah was established in 2014 and has been sustained with the unified dedication of parents, teachers, local leaders and community members for the education of their children beneficial in this world and the hereafter.
“For the past years, we have been lacking with facility like classrooms. At present, we only have six rooms for the 330 pupils from Kinder to Grade 10. We cater multi-grade in one classroom, while the other classes are conducted outside, like in the Madrasah stage and open-type rooms”, Ustadz Khadir Udangan said. He is a mudeer in Madrasah An-nama.
Aleem Abdulghafur Abdulhamid of Directorate General for Madaris Education of Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (DGME-MBHTE) thanked donors for this project and informed about the program of the ministry for the Madrasah education in the Bangsamoro Region.
“We invite this Madrasah to apply for this support and we also would like to call for help from our donor partners today, because there are many other Madrasah that needs assistance”, Aleem Abdulhamid conveyed.
The construction of 2-classroom Madrasah building is implemented through the PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment- a program that supports the transformation and development in the six major camps of the MILF identified in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between GPH and MILF in 2014.
For Camp Abubakar- a center of war in the past years, other projects constructed are water system, hygiene facility, solar dryer with warehouse, school library along with the provision of farm tractors, livelihood assistance (fish condo, demo vegetable farm) , others.
Partners in peace and development who attended this milestone were the co-chairs of the Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (GPH was LtGen. Danilo Pamonag, for MILF was MP Ali O. Salik represented by Mohaimen Usman); JTFCT Camp Abubakar Chairman Abdulkudos Balitok, UNDP Philippines Winston Camarinas, Bangsamoro Development Agency Rhadzni Taalim, , Mindanao State University- Maguindanao, Philippine Marines, Municipal Local Government Unit of Barira, Barangay LGU of Tugaig and Nabalawag, people’s organizations, cooperatives, Asatidz, pupils, parents and community members.
EU delegation and partners have seen the actual usage of these projects and dialogue to the beneficiaries like the farmers, teachers, children and community members.
Atty. Paola Pampaloni, EU deputy managing director for East Asia and Pacific expressed the continuing commitment of EU to peace and development in Mindanao.
“We were here in past, we are here today, and we will be here in the coming days”, she stated.
BDA, the development arm of the MILF is a local partner in implementing the said projects through the PROACTIVE. (BDA Communications Team)
TRANSITIONING COMBATANTS JOIN HANDS ON BATTLING SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE CAMPS
Written by BDA Communications
October 14, 2024. Driven by the will to affect change and progress in the communities long been underserved due to conflict in the past years, transitioning combatants in various villages across the camp communities have united to battle pressing social issues in their localities.
These combatants organized through local social formation approach have been completing several community trainings that developed their awareness, sense of responsibility and accountability and their capacities to work hand-in-hand for community services and development. They have identified priority needs in their village, planned together and have performed appropriate activities in acting upon those gaps.
In Camp Bushra, the clean- up drive helped address the environmental, sanitation and health problem in an isolated Brgy. Nusa in Balindong, Lanao del Sur, which motivated the local government unit to adopt the similar action for the welfare of the entire community.
In Camp Bilal, the transitioning combatants decided to do vegetable production as alternative agricultural crops potential for livelihood source and even for daily consumption.
An all-men group in Camp Rajamuda, opted to develop their capacities on rice delicacies making, in which the product be sold for income generation of the group.
In Camp Omar, the farmers were united for a flood-control project by planting bamboos and constructing community dikes that would help mitigate the overflowing water affecting their farm.
The group of combatants in Camp Badre, agreed to plant trees that symbolized the community resilience and social cohesion.
Meanwhile, for other relevant social issues, the initiative was employed through engaging with the Bangsamoro Government, by facilitating dialogue between the community members and the officials and representatives from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA): MP Abdullah E. Gayak, MP Ali O. Salik, MP Akmad I. Abas, MP Mohammad Kelie U. Antao, MP Tawakal B. Midtimbang, MP Suharto S. Esmael, MP Froilyn T. Mendoza, MP Basit Abbas and MP Marjanie Macasalong.
Also from various ministries and offices in the BARMM such as the Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG) of the Office of the Chief Minister, Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
In Camp Bilal, which communities are outside the territory of the Bangsamoro, other partners were from the Office for Other Bangsamoro Communities (OOBC) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development of Munai, Lanao del Norte.
There were provisions of food packs, health kits and education supplies to during those community gatherings.
In the delivery of these services to the camp communities, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) partnered with the Joint Taks Force for Camps Transformation (JTFCT), Task Force on Decommissioned Combatants and Their Communities (TFDCC), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the local government units where the activities were conducted
BDA reported that the employment of those undertakings in the camps is specifically relevant to the local social formation component of PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic (PROACTIVE), funded by European Union (EU) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
PROACTIVE supports the camps transformation and development across the six major camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) identified in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) namely Camp Abubakar, Camp Badre, Camp Bilal, Camp Bushra, Camp Rajamauda and Camp Omar.
ENGAGING BARMM FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE CAMPS, aids towards social cohesion and resilience for transitioning combatants and their communities
Written by BDA Communications
September 27, 2024. The recent gatherings in the selected villages in the camps that unified the joint efforts of the Bangsamoro Government and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the non- government organization, donor partners together with other stakeholders benefited hundreds of transitioning combatants, their families and their communities in the camps.
Dubbed as Engaging BARMM for Community Services in the Camps, these local meetings brought together officials and representatives from the BARMM and the community members to a dialogue where they talked about key programs and services of the Bangsamoro Government available for the people, with the corresponding requirements.
According to the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), the idea for this initiative is based on the needs identified in the communities during their local social formation activities in the past months.
“There are organized groups in the camps who are assisted to determine pressing issues in their villages and come up with a practical solution. This community assemblies are among those that were decided to help resolve such issues by engaging the BARMM, believed to have programs and services that may respond to those community problems like education, health and nutrition, environmental management, others”, BDA stated.
During the community gatherings, each BTA office of BARMM ministry, office and agency have designated desk where people approached and talked to them directly.
Ministry of Health (MOH) particularly educated people about common diseases like dengue fever, leptospirosis and monkey fox, while informing the people, too, regarding the health services they provide. MOH also distributed health and dental kits.
Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) presented about their available programs intended for the vulnerable and marginalized groups in the community.
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) talked about their services for the communities in BARMM.
TABANG- BARMM (Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan) brought with them food packs (rice and groceries) together with information about the other services of the office for the people of Bangsamoro.
Officials and representatives from the members of the parliament likewise spoke to the people that enlightened participants of the opportunities and requirements related to programs and services of each office.
They are from the Office of MP Abdullah E. Gayak, MP Ali O. Salik, MP Akmad I. Abas, MP Mohammad Kelie U. Antao, MP Tawakal B. Midtimbang, MP Suharto S. Esmael, MP Froilyn T. Mendoza, MP Basit Abbas and MP Marjanie Macasalong.
In Camp Bilal, where the areas covered are outside the territory of the BARMM, the BDA has linked with the Office for Other Bangsamoro Communities (OOBC-BARMM) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD Munai, Lanao del Norte).
Relevant offices from BARMM (MOH, MOST and TABANG) remained their support even to these communities like Brgy. Panggao and Tamparan in the said municipality.
Members of the parliament Abdullah Macapaar and Said Shiek graced the activity in the said villages in Camp Bilal.
The Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (JTFCT), the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU are crucial partners in this activity.
Engaging BARMM for Community Services in the Camps organized for social cohesion and community resilience is relevant to PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic (PROACTIVE), funded by European Union (EU) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
PROACTIVE supports the camps transformation and development across the six major camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) identified in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) namely Camp Abubakar, Camp Badre, Camp Bilal, Camp Bushra, Camp Rajamauda and Camp Omar.
This initiative not only touched the lives of many but also reinforced the importance of government, non-government and community collaboration
For BDA, these initiatives will serve as foundation for ongoing engagement and support, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable sectors continue to be heard and acted upon.
INFRA PROJECTS IN THE CAMPS BRING HOPES TO THE FUTURE OF PEACE AND PROGRESS
Written by BDA Communications
August 17, 2024/ COTABATO CITY-BARMM. Imagine those communities ravaged by or at least isolated by the effect of war in the past, now on its recovery and reconstruction? Imagine the peace.
This story of peace is a reality to many of the communities in the six major camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front recognized in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) of the GPH- MILF in 2014.
This is through the implementation of various infrastructure projects which for the communities are bringing hopes for the future.
“The construction of the school library is not only a symbol of knowledge, it also speaks of hopes for the future”, Misbah Zacaria stated. He is a local official in Brgy. Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur- Camp Bushra.
Construction of various infra projects in the camps has been officially started through series of pre- implementation meetings and groundbreaking ceremonies conducted.
In Camp Bushra will be a school library at Brgy. Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur and a warehouse with solar dryer at Brgy. Poctan, same town.
A week before this, partners in peace and development likewise joined hands for the kick- off of more relevant infrastructure projects in the camp communities.
August 7 at Brgy. Kilangan, Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Norte- Camp Rajamuda for the projects such as water system, hygiene facility and warehouse with solar dryer.
On August 8 at Brgy. Tuayan, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur- Camp Omar for water system, playground, refilling station and warehouse with solar dryer.
Partners in peace and development graced the event such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Task Force on Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC), Joint Task Forces for Camp Transformation (JTFCT), representative from the Office of MP Ali O. Salik (JTFCT- MILF), representatives from BLGU, People’s Organizations and community members.
According to the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), the implementation of these infra projects in the camps is relevant to on- going implementation of the PROACTIVE Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment, a program that supports the camps transformation and development.
Other than the projects mentioned above, there are further different infra projects, which constructions are on- going, some with relevant progress while there were three that are already completed and benefiting the community recipients like the tribal hall for the indigenous people in Camp Omar, the post- harvest facility and the school library in Camp Abubakar.
PROACTIVE is funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) as local implementing agency.
Monitoring & Evaluation in Project Management: Seeing the impact of development aid in the camps through PDM
Written by BDA Communications
JULY 9, 2024. In the field of humanitarian aid and development, allocation of resources and assistance marks a critical phase in efforts to uplift communities affected by various challenges. The provision of aid is often a lifeline for vulnerable populations. However, ensuring that this assistance reaches its intended recipients effectively and efficiently is just as crucial as the initial act of distribution itself.
For the on-going project related to the development and transformation of camp communities (areas that belong or affected by armed conflict in Mindanao), an initiative called as Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) was carried out through methodical evaluations to determine the effectiveness of the aid distributed to the recipients of the project.
The PDM helped fill in gaps or difficulties, by collecting inputs from the beneficiaries. This monitoring activity enabled the team discover if agreed procedures in project implementation and management at the community level are followed properly to achieve its several benefits.
Through the PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment, various development assistance were already distributed to the community- groups in the six major acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) namely, Camp Abubakar, Camp Badre, Camp Bilal, Camp Bushra, Camp Omar and Camp Rajamuda.
There were nineteen (19) units of farm machineries, which are already operating to ease agricultural processes in the camps. Its operation, significant to farm activities produces income for the cooperatives organized through the PROACTIVE.
Three infrastructure projects were completed and turned over to the People’ Organizations (POs) who are formed to manage its operations: tribal hall in Camp Omar (Brgy. Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao); solar dryer with warehouse & school library in Camp Abubakar (Brgy. Tugaig Barira, Maguindanao).
In seeing the impact of the development and transformation in the camps, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) visited the community- recipients of the said projects, met and talked to the people for updates and progress of its operations.
As a result of the activity, the beneficiary cooperatives and POs reported the positive impact of the projects in their lives.
Accordingly, the farm inputs already generates more income relevant to their groups. In fact, some of the cooperatives were able purchase additional machinery such as corn sheller that supports to their income generation and other agri activities, as well.
It was also noted that in operating in managing those projects, cooperatives were gradually applying the knowledge and skills they gained from various capacity building activities provided to them by the PROACTIVE.
For the project team, it is good to know that the beneficiaries are thriving as one group, and one community driven by the shared aspiration towards transformation and development.
They are the people in the communities, who experienced conflict in the past, now emerge as a center of progress, capacity building, community development and peace.
The PDM, relevant to PROACTIVE was conducted from June 13- 23, 2024 in the six major camps of the MILF.
PROACTIVE aims to contribute in enhancing local capacities to facilitate transition and transformation of the six (6) acknowledged camps of the MILF into peaceful and productive communities.
It is being funded by the European Union (EU) and the UNDP Philippines, implemented in collaboration with the BDA.
Battlefield communities emerge as grounds for peace and development in Bangsamoro Region
Written by BDA Communications
May 2024/ COTABATO CITY-BARMM. It was in 2018, we were traversing a rough road in a remote village in Maguindanao of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with a woman of war and struggle, who was recalling those hard times during the battle in the past years.
She joined our trip to an uphill community, to meet the indigenous people (IP) in the area, that day.
On our way, this woman who is a wife to a field commander of the armed forces of the MILF, was telling us stories during the times of war. She would compare the tough road then, to the present condition as we were passing by. She would point us to some spots, which are memorable to them e.g., where they get water and food, or stood for a while to hide or rest from running due to war.
“There were no vehicles then. We walked through this land. I have vegetable gardens there. I was very serious about planting. I loved it, those days”, she told giggling.
“And those banana plants”, she added, were very important those days. My husband would really tell his men to plant and plant banana, because according to him, in times of war, we never know what happens. So when we run and hide, and get hungry, we can eat through the bananas, it’s a survival.”
When we finally arrived, we met women in the village. It was in Brgy. Datalpandan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao, a community located in Camp Badre- one of the six major camps of the MILF as identified in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
We talked with IP women who descended from their uphill community of the barangay. Accordingly, they walked hours from their home to reach the center of the village, where we met.
The IP sector in the camp has received a farm facility through a project implemented that year (2021). According to them, the corn sheller given to them is indeed a big help.
“We process our corn products manually at home, almost everyone in the family work together. It took us days or a week before we can finish”, they stated.
(IN PHOTO: An IP woman from Camp Badre posed with a farm machinery provided to them in 2020, significant to ease their farm processes in the upper hill village of Brgy. Datalpandan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao).
Based on data of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), selected communities in the six major camps of the MILF including the Brgy. Datalpandan have been receiving development projects such as warehouse with solar dryer, water system, road projects, community learning centers, solar panel, agri-trading and production facilities, health facilities, road projects, tribal hall for the IPs, including support on various capacity building activities.
There was also the implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and livelihood support to organized groups in those communities.
From 2021 (last quarter) to present, the project in support to Bangsamoro Transition covers areas in the camps to sustain the milestones on transformation and development. It is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation Agency (AECID).
There were 342 completers to ALS who are now formed as people’s organizations to undergo skills training towards social enterprise development.
Early in 2022, another program was launched related to camps development with fund source from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and EU. In the camps are cooperatives, people’s organizations and local social formation groups who are being supported by the program. Various infrastructure projects will also be constructed through this program.
Mid of the same year, the project on camps transformation kicked off carrying various services for the camps people.
All these development interventions, already implemented and still being worked out are all beneficial to the community beneficiaries, helpful in improving the life conditions of the people in those remote areas.
(IN PHOTO: Women, widows, elderlies were among the completers of ALS in the camps that gave them the chance to get education through the program. A chance that was once elusive due to conflict in the past years.)
In Camp Rajamuda, among the ALS completer in August 2022 was a widow who was very happy completing her basic education through the program. She is solely providing for her eight children and being able to study was a big accomplishment for her.
Also in this camp is a high hope for the farmers who will be receiving warehouse with solar dryer.
"With this project, our farming process will be easier”, the farmers expressed.
In Camp Omar, the organized PO is thankful for the continuing aid, through the skills training to help them establish local business.
The tribal hall being constructed at present gives joy to the IP community in this camp.
“There will be more benefits from this tribal hall. We can use this during community gatherings, local occasions, meetings, cultural activities, others”, the IP group said.
In Camp Bilal, a hopeful mother named Racma Baluwa, 30, recall that “I was a child then. We were evacuees. We heard the bombings and saw the explosions. Now, I join this cooperative hoping that it will bring income for my growing family.”
A youth in the same camp, was happy for being able to continue her studies through the ALS.
In Camp Bushra, a hanging bridge has connected the isolated community in Brgy. Butig, Lanao del Sur through the project implemented in 2021.
In Camp Abubakar, the experience of war becomes the strength of the people to be united and welcome the development coming in to their community.
“It feels good that those we thought impossible are happening now. Life was hard, in the past years. We were very far. There was no stable peace and order. Frequently, there were threats, doubts, and fears. Now, we live with peace”, a woman stated.
One BIAF member shared that their village in the camp was once isolated, with only one or two houses to be found. But, now more people are coming, building their homes, for good.
Data shows that 2018-2019 camps project benefited 51, 410 people with an overall total cost of Php 57M. From 2020-2021 there were 3,471 people served by the project that spent about Php 27M. In 2021, through the Camps of Learning Project (CLP), there were 480 learners of ALS and beneficiaries of skills trainings for livelihood support. In August 2023, there were 342 ALS completers in the camps. And there are 24 cooperatives, 26 people’s organizations and 24 local social formation groups established in relevance to the on-going camps project.
The Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front states about the need for development assistance in the communities that were once centers of battlefields in the past years. These interventions shall be significant to help them transition from conflict to peaceful and progressive communities.
The BDA Inc., as development agency of the MILF, now operating as non-government organization has been a partner towards this mission as the quest for long-lasting peace and development goes on.
(IN PHOTO: Students in MILF Camp Abubakar As- Siddique now enjoy better access to learning through the library project implemented through the PROACTIVE in April 2024.)
SELF-CHANGE TOWARDS COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
Written by BDA Communications
“Maganda itong Values Transformation Training (VTT) kasi ang tunay na pagbabago ay magsisimula sa sarili natin mismo”, said Nasip Mascara, 53 years old, member of the cooperative from Brgy. Mamaanun, Baloi, Lanao del Norte (Camp Bilal).
Members of cooperatives and people’s organizations in the camp communities underwent Values Transformation Training (VTT).
The VTT was simultaneously organized from March 6, 2024 in the 12 communities within the six (6) previously acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
This training aims to revitalize the values of the beneficiaries and develop internal obligation within themselves to become more responsible as the projects will be entrusted to their organizations.
VTT is part of the capacity building for the beneficiaries under the Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP).
BCTP is supporting the Normalization efforts in the camps that aims to improve access to socio-economic services and basic infrastructure in the six (6) previously acknowledged MILF camps.
It is implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) in partnership with Community and Family Services International (CFSI).
BCTP is one of the projects funded by the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) administered by the World Bank.
Women leaders in the camps: Racma, a combatant’s wife and Osoleya, a warrior’s daughter
Written by BDA Communications
MARCH 2024. Osoleya Mimbantas, 35, joined a cooperative formed in their remote village in Sandab, Butig, Lanao Del Sur- Camp Bushra “to help her community, who are the members of the cooperative”.
She is thankful for the support provided to their cooperative and believes that the trainings conducted to them are useful not only for their organization, but also to their personal life.
Osoleya is a daughter of the late leader of the MILF in Lanao province. Her active role in the community roots from her experience in life being a daughter to a warrior.
She is the President of the Bangsamoro Unified Into Growth (BUTIG) Cooperative in their barangay. Osoleya finished college and currently works as government employee where she earns income to help provide for her own family of three children.
Their cooperative is currently managing and operating a tractor, a farm facility provided by the program relevant to the camps transformation and development.
The facility helps ease the process of farming. The cooperative offers rental service for the tractor for farmers from neighboring villages.
The group has also initiated for an initial capital from their own pockets that they use to buy and sell sacks of rice, payable for its members for five months.
Another woman from the uphill village of Tamparan in Munai, Lanao del Norte is named Racma Baluwa, 30 years of age.
She is a mother to five (5) little children. According to her, the husband’s income from farming is enough to sustain the needs of the family.
Racma is an active woman in their community. She is a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Arm Forces (BIWAF) - the women-wing of the armed forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). She is the Secretary of the Al-hajj Abdullah Bravo Mabapaar Cooperative- a group formed for the camps project in Camp Bilal.
Her participation to peacebuilding activities in the village is stirred by the experience of war and struggle in the past.
“I was a kid then, our family was among the evacuees. We heard the bombings, the gunshots”, Racma told.
Now, Racma hopes that their cooperative will bring gains for her family and the community, in general.
For her, the task may be exhausting but she finds joy working with people.
“I am very grateful to the donors and partners supporting. I do hope that this continues so as the peace to help the impoverished communities become progressive”, Racma said.
The cooperatives of Osoleya and Racma are among the beneficiaries of the PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment- a program that supports the current transformation and development in the camps.
It is a project co-funded by European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.). (From original post at https://bda.org.ph/index.php/research-publication/meet-the-people-in-the-camp-communities)
Various infra projects to help provide basic social services in camp communities
Written by BDA Communications
March 6, 2024. With the sustained commitment to support the development and transformation in the camp communities, various infrastructure projects are currently being implemented to help provide social services for the people in those marginalized areas.
The construction of library in and solar dryer with warehouse in Camp Abubakar is completed and will soon be turned over to the community.
For the agri-facility project, the farmer- beneficiaries said that is a huge help for them to have a permanent and better shelter/ storage for their crops.
“Our community is flood prone so this project will really help us produce quality farm products”, the farmers told.
Formed as one organization, the farmers can also operate the facility for income generation to help sustain the operation of the project.
Also in this camp are projects such as madrasah, water system and hygiene facility.
In Camp Omar, the Tribal Hall project in Brgy.Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao is accomplished that demonstrates inclusivity, with the indigenous people (IP) in the village as the main beneficiaries.
“We are joyous for this project which will bring numerous benefits to us. It will serve as a venue for weddings, engagements, community meetings (pulong-pulong), and other cultural activities cherished by the Teduray people”, the IP group stated.
In the same camp, the building of madrasah (Islamic school) was formally started on February 8, 2024 through a groundbreaking ceremony and a pre-implementation meeting at Brgy. Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
In Camp Rajamuda, the construction of library and a madrasah has also been officially started.
More infra projects are expected to rise soon indicating progress in the camp communities. Selection of these projects is informed by the Camps Transformation Plan (CTP) of the Bangsamoro Region crafted together with various partners for the implementation of the Normalization in the Bangsamoro of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) of GPH-MILF in 2014.
Specifically for the implementation of the above-mentioned projects in the camps, the initiative is taking place through the PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment.
PROACTIVE is being funded by the European Union (EU) and the UNDP, and is managed through the collaboration of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) and UNDP-Philippines.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, ISINAGAWA NG BDA BILANG PAGHAHANDA SA IMPLEMENTASYON NG MGA PROYEKTO SA MILF CAMPS
Written by BDA Communications
February 8, 2024- Experiential learning isinagawa ng Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) bilang paghahanda sa implementasyon ng mga proyekto sa loob ng malalaking kampo ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) noong February 6-7, 2024 sa iba’t ibang mga lugar sa Davao region.
Kabilang sa layunin ng nasabing pag-aaral ang pagkatuto sa paggamit at pamamahala ng makabagong teknolohiya tulad ng polyethylene o ultra violet (UV) plastic sa pagpapatuyo ng mga agricultural products.
“Isa sa mga proyekto na napili ng mga komunidad sa mga kampo particularly sa Camp Abubakar ay Construction of Warehouse with Solar Dryer and Polyethylene”, ayon kay Kadafy Sinulinding, Project Coordinator ng BCTP mula sa BDA Inc.
Dagdag pa ni Sinulinding, “ang paggamit ng polyethylene ay bago pa sa atin kaya, isa sa mga layunin ng aktibidad ay makita natin ito in actual, anu-ano ang mga gamit nito at paano ito mina-manage”.
Kabilang sa aktibidad ang pagbisita sa iba’t ibang institution na may UV plastic facilities tulad ng Unicarbai Multi-Purpose Cooperative sa barangay Basiawan, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental; Malalag Cacao Growers Association sa barangay Poblacion, Malalag, Davao Del Sur; Migcawayan Tribal Agriculture Cooperative (MTAC) sa Brgy. Migcawayan, Damulog, Bukidnon; at Integrated Rural Development Foundation Inc. (IRDF) sa Brgy. Tamlangon, Matanao, Davao del sur.
Nagkaroon ng orientation sa loob ng mga nasabing institutions at ibinahagi ang operational at maintenance activities na kanilang ginagawa sa tamang pamamahala ng UV plastics at iba pa.
Kasama din sa nasabing aktibidad ang mga staff mula sa Community and Family Services International (CFSI).
Ang experiential learning ay kaugnay pa rin sa implementasyon ng Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP). Ang BCTP ay iniimplementa ng BDA Inc. katuwang ang CFSI.
Ito ay isa sa mga proyektong pinopondohan ng Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) na pinangangasiwaan ng World Bank.
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TRANSFORMING THE CAMPS INTO PEACEFUL COMMUNITIES THRU EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Written by BDA Communications
AUGUST 8, 2023/ COTABATO CITY-BARMM. A famous quote says “education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”.
With education in a form of community trainings, members of cooperatives and people’s organization (PO) who are composed of farmers, transitioning combatants, women, youth, indigenous people and others are learning together necessary knowledge and skills relevant for the organizing, operation and management of their groups.
Trainings conducted are in relevance to the project PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violent Prevention and Economic Empowerment.
These activities help in building the capacities of the project beneficiaries to become equipped to handle and manage their organizations and the sub-projects to be provided to them by the project.
- Sustainable agriculture
- Community-based Enterprise Planning Technique (CEPT)
- Basic marketing strategy
- Disaster risk and reduction management
- Operation and maintenance
- Organizational and Project Management
- Basic financial management
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Some similar trainings are also being conducted for the members of Local Social Formation (LSF) who are organized to respond into pressing concerns in the community related to peace and security.
“In participating training like this, we learn knowledge which cannot be taught or learned in school”, Lailanie M. Arsani of Panggao, Munai, Lanap del Norte- Camp Bilal, stated.
Abdulnasser G. Akmad of Camp Badre said that he joined the training for new learning or knowledge.
“I myself believe that there is no evil knowledge. It just depends how you will use that knowledge. If you use it for good or bad. In other way learning is also a way to be aware of such things”, he told.
Asraf Gunda Batuaan from Camp Bushra learned that “a secretary is different from an auditor”.
Simple knowledge like this is already relevant to awaken and enlighten the participants about project process for them to understand that development assistance comes with a shared responsibility towards sustainable benefits for all.
With the PROACTIVE, there are 24 cooperatives being provided with capacity development support and livelihood assistance based on the potential enterprise identified through CEPT.
Twenty-five People’s organizations are formed with various capacity building activities and to receive infrastructure sub-projects.
There are 24 LSFs who are organized and will be granted with an assistance to be used for a project that shall be responsive to an identified peace and security concerns in the community.
Organizing community organizations twinned with education and trainings have been very relevant for the groups to become independent and self-reliant knowing the process of organizational management, project implementation, operation and maintenance, which are all vital towards project sustainability.
The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) as the implementing agency, has been facilitating the said trainings for the cooperatives, POs and LSFs across the 16 barangays in the six major camps of the MILF namely Camp Abubakar, Maguindanao- Camp Badre, Camp Bilal, Camp Bushra, Camp Omar and Camp Rajamuda.
With the project’s approach, beneficiaries and other partners and stakeholders are united, discuss and work together the needed actions towards progress and peace. They feel the attention through the development assistance long been inadequate for the conflict-affected areas, like the PROACTIVE brings to them.
PROACTIVE as a project that supports to camps transformation and development is a collaborative programme of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP – Philippines) and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) under the European Union Framework for Assistance to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Mindanao Peace and Development Programme - Peace and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MINPAD-PD BARMM).
Improving socio-economic services in the camps through signed partnership agreement between BDA and partner
Written by BDA Communications
The signing is for the Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP) between the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) and the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) on July 28, 2023 in Cotabato City.
Relevant to camps transformation, the project aims to improve the access to socio-economic services and basic infrastructure of the communities within the Six (6) previously acknowledged Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps.
Present in the signing were Mangontawar Macacuna, chairman of the BDA Inc. Board of Directors, Steven Muncy, executive director of CFSI, Rhadzni Taalim, executive director of BDA Inc., Noraida Abdullah Karim, CFSI Director for Mindanao Programme and Ali O. Salik, coordinator of Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) MILF.
Chairman Mangontawar expressed his gratitude for the trust that was extended to BDA being the lead partner of the BCTP project.
He said that, “we are very committed, In shaa Allah, to strive hard as we are guided by one of our core values which is striving for excellence”.
BDA exec. dir. Taalim emphasized the importance of said agreement for the transformation of the target communities in the Bangsamoro.
“Let us remember that we are not just implementing a project, but we are contributing to the positive transformation of communities and lives of the Bangsamoro people”, Taalim said.
An inception workshop was facilitated and concluded on the same date wherein roles and responsibilities of each party were discussed and clarified.
BCTP helps in supporting the gains of the peace process and the legitimacy of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB).
It is funded under the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) administered by the World Bank.
SUPPORT TO CAMPS TRANFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT: Stories of hopes and progress in the camps
Written by BDA Communications
June 10, 2023. We present to you the compiled stories of decommissioned combatants we met in relevant to the implementation of the program in support to camps transformation and development. Here’s the link for the full narratives of our peace advocates highlighted below.
Babu Ina Ni Gunda: A mother from conflict, a grandmother with hope
Written by BDA Communications
(FEBRUARY 28, 2023/ PAGALUNGAN, MAGUINDANAO-BARMM). “While there was armed conflict, I as a mother was also in battle to secure my kids from famine and war”, Babu Ina ni Gunda said as she recalls life during war years ago.
Babu (Maguindanaon term for elderly woman) Ina (mother) ni (of) Gunda with the complete name Mondingan Kagui Kabasalan is a 71-year-old widow from Brgy. Kilangan, Pagalungan, Maguindanao- a community within Camp Rajamuda (one of the MILF’s six major camps as identified in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro- CAB).
During the war in the past years, before this present peace in the land, Babu Ina ni Gunda has had three children. Her husband is among the ‘mujahiddeen/ warriors’ who were fighting those days. Hence, she had to take the lead for the survival of the children.
She recalls that “instead of taking care of the laundry, education and leisure time of my children, I was in a battle to secure my kids’ from famine and war.”
She said that in order to get food from their cornfield, they sneaked at night time travelling kilometers after kilometers of cold, dark and fearful land. They have to cross bodies of water to secretly harvest corns from the field and carried them back at the evacuation center where her children are waiting for her to bring foods.
“It was really hard for us mothers being an evacuee especially when you have children”, Babu Ina ni Gunda stated.
She said that they have been into the same situation due to protracted conflict in the past, since 1972, until peace and development has started reigning in the Bangsamoro.
Now, Babu Ina ni Gunda is 71 years old, with ten (10) children and twenty (20) grandchildren.
She is happily taking care of her backyard garden in their village in Camp Rajamuda.
“I really love gardening, that is why if you don’t mine, I will show to you my small garden so that maybe you give some vegetable seed” she uttered with a genuine smile on her face.
Babu Ina ni Gunda’s grandson is among the members of the Sustainable Farmers Agriculture Association in their village. She is always eager to listen and attend to community meetings and especially this day when she learned that the topic during that day was about livelihood.
“So then, I joined the association”, she happily said.
The association was selected as one of the recipients of the PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment.
PROACTIVE is a collaborative programme of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP – Philippines) and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) under the European Union Framework for Assistance to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Mindanao Peace and Development Programme - Peace and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MINPAD-PD BARMM).
Through the program, the association of Babu Ina ni Gunda along with other organizations across the six major camps of the MILF will get assistance to prosper, which will be relevant to help them become productive.