Community Development in the Camps (84)
People in isolated camp community shares priority needs to BARMM, World Bank
Written by BDA Communications
(COTABATO CITY). For families living in the uphill of Brgy. Datalpandan, Guidulungan, Maguindanao, life would be better if development assistance reaches them.
In a community dialogue on October 19, 2021, during the World Bank visit in the village, one member of indigenous people particularly told their will to get vaccinated of the COVID-19 but expressed hope for the health ministry of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to come in their barangay so that the people will no longer need to travel from a far to get a vaccine.
As response, the Rural Health Unit (RHU) in the barangay explained that the road is difficult to reach the village uphill and the vaccine requires a specific storage, which is not ideal for long rough travel.
Dr. Bashary Latiph, Minister of the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the BARMM together with development partners have been working hard making sure that every Bangsamoro will be able to have easy and accessible facility that will cater for their health needs.
“We want to widen our reach, to render a more intensive service. We want to make sure that no one is left behind. In sha Allah, with our development partners, we are here for all of you, to provide for your needs. I would like to thank the World Bank for the never ending support to the Bangsamoro and to the indigenous people. Thank you to everyone who have been working non-stop, realizing the dreams of everyone: a peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro” Dr. Latiph stated.
Felino V. Samar, representative from the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MIPA) thanks the BARMM Government and development partners for including the IP communities towards development.
“Like the case of Datalpandan, 95% are Moro and 5% are IP. But in giving the project, the IP group is counted. So, we are really thankful”, MIPA official told.
Meanwhile, women group is hoping for a livelihood assistance e.g. dressmaking, to supplement their daily income in sustaining their families.
Farmer group is wishing for a road project, especially a bridge that shall ease the burden of crossing the river in their village.
Hon. Ali O. Salik, member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) expressed thanks for the WB visit that he described as an indicator of progress and development in the camp.
Salik is also the camp coordinator of the six major camps of the MILF and hopes that this visit will bring fruitful conversation with the beneficiaries in Camp Bad’r.
“We are confident that World Bank will continue to provide support through future project here in BARMM, in general. We really appreciate your commitment and dedication for development initiative. I hope that economic analysis before and after the project will push significant posture and positive changes to the people of camp Bad’r”, MP Salik stated.
Datalpandan is a home to mixed population of Muslim and indigenous people. Major source of living is farming.
The community has been a recipient of road project, post-harvest facility, water system, solar panel and a community learning center for the delivery of Alternative Learning System (ALS).
This has been through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II and III and the recent Camps of Learning Project (CLP)- wherein the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) functioned as project implementing agency.
In a message from the World Bank during the recent visit on October 19, Ndiame Diop country director to Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, East Asia and Pacific stated the World Bank as an active supporter of Mindanao’s peace and development agenda, more importantly with the MILF and GPH peace process.
“As a testament to this, for more than a decade now, through the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF) and the MTF Reconstruction and Development Projects Phases 1, 2 and 3, together with our donors, we have supported projects geared toward socio-economic development”, Diop said.
The country director re-affirmed the Bank’s commitment to helping in achieving the peace and development aspirations of the Bangsamoro.
“Through this visit, we hope to listen to the stories of your MTF RDP journey, learn from your experience and take on your recommendations on how to best support your communities and BARMM going forward”, he stated.
Brgy. Datalpandan is a community within BARMM and is also part of the territory of Camp Badre- one major camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as named in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF in 2014.
Assistance to camp communities has been one of priorities in support to the implementation of the CAB. It aims to help in the socio-economic development of conflict-affected communities and eventually transition from war to productive and peaceful village.
A brighter Ramadhan for M’ranao village in a camp community outside BARMM
Written by BDA Communications
(March 30, 2021). M’ranao families in Sitio Kura-Kura, Brgy. Tamparan, Lanao del Norte- Camp Bilal is hopeful and happy to welcome the month of Ramadhan (a month of fasting in Islam) now that their village will be brighter as the solar street lights are installed and officially turned over on March 24, 2021 along the newly constructed access road in the community. Ramadhan this year is expected to start on 2nd week of April.
The project is funded through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase III (MTF-RDP/3), in support to the Confidence Building Initiatives for the Camps Transformation stated in Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“There were few people residing here, before because of the isolation and difficult access. Now we see development and people are coming to build their homes in Sitio Kura-Kura”, Ibrahim
Camp Project Support Team (CPST) of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) reported that the place is identified by Task Force on Camps Transformation (TFCT) as center of development of Camp Bilal, one of the six major camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) acknowledged in the CAB of 2014 for transformation from conflict to productive communities.
The community has been receiving development projects such as agri-facility building, farmer’s training center, road projects, health facility along with various interventions that promotes community empowerment and enlightenment. (R.Adam)
BARMM Ministries train camp communities on various productivity skills towards progress and peace
Written by BDA Communications
March 30, 2021. According to Normina Atoy, a farmer in Brgy. Kinebeka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao (CAMP BADRE), the training is a great help for them farmers to improve their agriculture practices.
“Farming is our source of income; we have been doing it all our life, and only now that we learned that useful information to make our farming more convenient and competitive” Normina said.
She added that farming has been expensive for them since they have to buy pesticides and fertilizers. Through the training, they knew local alternatives that can be produced to supplement the nutrition of farm crops and can help prevent pests from destroying their plants.
“If only we knew this in the past, life would be easier. Now we are motivated and determined to apply all that we learned”, Normina told.
She said that farming gives fair income to the family. Capital usually reaches to Php 20, 000.00 for one hectare of land and the gains after the harvest is more or less Php 40, 000.00
With rich agricultural land, farming is one primary source of income in the province of Maguindanao.
The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) provided the training inputs and lectures to hundreds of farmers and other sectors during the series of productivity trainings conducted like rice and corn production, vegetable farming, peanut processing, native chicken, others.
The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) through accredited partners organizations facilitated training on banana processing, food processing, others.
Meanwhile, trainings on coconut oil and virgin coconut oil processing was facilitated by Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), while indigenous people group from Koronadal City taught elderly sectors on crafting and weaving of native products.
Productivity training is one sub-component of the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase III (MTF-RDP/3), implemented in support to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). It covers the six previously acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) namely Camp Abubakar as Siddique in Maguindanao, Camp Badre in Maguindanao, Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, Camp Bushra Somiorang in Lanao del Sur, Camp Omar Ibn al-Khattab in Maguindanao and Camp Rajamuda in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.
Partnership with BARMM ministries and offices is also one component of MTF-RDP/3 through mainstreaming activities that aims to promote collaborative approach for better services to Bangsamoro communities. BARMM ministries engaged in the mainstreaming are Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, Ministry of Interior and Local Government, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ministry of Public Order and Safety, Ministry of Social Services and Development, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy and Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority.
Recently, the project organized a joint field mission with BARMM ministries to camp communities where community interaction and project site visit were undertaken.
Under the MTF-RDP/3, various socio-economic infrastructure (SEI) projects are underway both community sub-projects and health sub-projects, designed to help improve the access of community beneficiaries to basic socio-economic services.
The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) is taking the role as project implementing unit (PIU) for MTF-RDP/3. BDA was established in 2002 out of the GPH-MILF Tripoli Agreement of 2001; and was officially registered as non-government organization in 2019 after the Bangsamoro Government was established. MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim and Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag in a virtual meeting in July 2020 with the World Bank underscored that the MILF remains committed to support development projects through the BDA Inc.
Women in camp communities- rising from war, with hopes, peace
Written by BDA Communications
(March 15, 2021). In this era of development in the Bangsamoro, women rise and recall stories of sacrifices in times of war.
Ustadza Halima Hashim of Brgy. Inug- ug, Pikit, North Cotabato in a speech during a turnover ceremony of water system project, recalled that in times of battle “we could not meet and convene like this; we get water from marsh for daily use”.
She spoke about gratitude and dedication.
“We have to be grateful for all this development happening at present. We remember those who sacrificed, those who shed blood. They are not with us anymore, today”, the respected-woman told.
She added “now that we see this development, we have to work together and harder”.
Ustadza Halima is a sister of the late MILF founding chairman Salamat Hashim. She possesses a leadership charm, being the chair of MILF Social Welfare Committee (SWC) Liguasan Province. As a woman-leader in the woman-wing of the MILF, she has the respect, trust and support of fellow women members, other stakeholders and of the whole community.
(BRGY. NABALAWAG, BARIRA, MAGUINDANAO-CAMP ABUBAKAR). Hasana Balitok of Brgy. Nabalawag, Barira, Maguindanao- Camp Abubakar can still remember the past where she witnessed and experienced life in war and evacuation.
“Young I was, I saw the struggle of our people, our community during the time of war”, she said.
In teary eyes, she cannot help but share joy seeing the development coming in to their village.
“I’m really happy that at present, community needs are being responded like this road project”, Hasana stated.
She shared that Brgy. Nabalawag, was really a remote area. People would struggle to get living, away from civilization. There were no roads and bridges so the community would really endure the long walks and hard ways in order to access basic needs from nearest market.
“It was really difficult e.g., for sick people, because it takes really hard times to get to the adjacent health facility, and there was no means of transportation, only horses or by people carrying the sick with a blanket. Once, an animal died by crossing the river to transport local crops”, Hasana told.
Hasana is the vice president of Nabalawag Peace and Development Organization, a people’s organization mobilized through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project (MTF-RDP Phase II and III)- implemented in support to the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Brgy. Nabalawag received road project from MTF-RDP that helped improved the access of the community to basic services such as health, education and livelihood.
For Hasana, it significant to involve women in development activities.
“In our case with our organization, I as vice president support our leader, who have less educational background. We do not think that way, instead, we help him in order for our organization to grow- because in unity we will progress together as one community”, Hasana added.
She said that NPDO is looking forward to establish own office to be able to function better as organization, working for the development of the whole community, which past is defined by war and isolation but with future inspired by common aspiration to become progressive.
(BRGY. SANDAB BUTIG, LANAO DEL SUR- CAMP BUSHRA). Naira Bimbad, 54, from Brgy. Sandab Butig, Lanao del Sur (CAMP BUSHRA) lost their three children during the time of all-out-war in 2000. It was in heavy heart that they (with her husband) went home after the war, without their kids. Naira and husband moved on and now have five children. Naira sees better future for her family, with the recent peace and development in the region.
She was among the farmer- participants to the recent training on peanut processing, as one sub-component of the MTF-RDP/3.
Naira is thankful of the training and is now confident to improve their farming methods and become more productive for her family.
(BRGY. KINEBEKA, DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO- CAMP BADRE). Cely Abdul, 60 of Brgy. Kinebeka, DOS, Maguindanao never taught that development would come to them in the mountains.
“We live in this remote area, almost difficult to reach. It was difficult for us women to go to the market. Public transport only comes once a week, so there was really a struggle to get basic commodities for living”, she recalled.
Cely is thankful for the development coming to their community and is now leading the other women in the village to become participative in development activities.
“I told them (women) to go out, learn time management and become productive. Find other means to help earn income, to have improvement for their families”, she said.
Cely is a Teduray, married to Muslim and is looking forward to strengthen and sustain their organization in Brgy. Kinebeka, especially now that the construction of agri-facility building is soon to be completed where women sector will have
(BRGY. SANIAG, AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO- CAMP OMAR). Janet Saligan, 54, a Teduray in Brgy. Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao recalls that during armed conflict in the past years, they would spend nights by the mountains to watch over the process of charcoal making, where they earn income for their family of eight.
“It was difficult. I told my husband to better stay at night to ensure that we can produce charcoal because, sometimes, if something went wrong during the process then our hard work will be wasted. Charcoal making is our alternative source of income when farming failed due to pests attack”, Janet told.
She added that “it was really hard during those times, we have to climb the mountains, there was no good road like now, then peace and order was not stable. There was fear in us but we have to live so we went on”.
Janet joins the group of elderly sectors in learning to produce native products made of local fern abundant in their mountainous village. She intends to share the skills acquired from the training to help her community become productive.
(BRGY. TAMPARAN, MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE- CAMP BILAL). Parents in the barangay especially the mothers are happy about the farmers’ training center constructed in December 2020.
“We wanted to join community activities. But we cannot leave our children at home unsupervised by adults. This center is helpful because we have this formal venue for community gatherings where we can get involved while there is a space for our children within the building, so it is convenient for us”, mothers told.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The role of women in peace and development is irrefutable. The stories of Halima, Hasana, Naira, Cely and Janet speak of the vital part of the women in advancing the welfare of their communities. The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) recognizes this reality in relevance to inclusiveness as one value the agency upholds. In 2020, thirty percent of BDA’s staff were women. Same percentage is also true for one project in Upi, Maguindanao, where women were employed for the implementation of water system project responding to the needs of the community. Fifty percent of the total beneficiaries for the camps project are women.
In the Philippines, March 8, is declared as National Women’s Month (RA6949). Various laws related to women rights and protection includes Anti- Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, Anti-Rape Law of 1997, Anti-Trafficking in Person of 2003, Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) in 2004, among others.
How women access for safe water in a camp community
Written by BDA Communications
(February 10, 2021) In the remote area of Brgy. Palao sa Buto in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao (CAMP RAJAMUDA) people have to buy safe water from the town center (8 kilometers).
Zarima Ulangkaya, a mother of nine shared their struggle in the community for clean water for their families.
The family of Zarima rely on farming as source of income like many of other families in the village.
“We have deep well as source of water for our daily life. But it is not safe for drinking. We have to buy from the town center”, Zarima said.
She added that the water from the deep well can only be used for washing dishes and clothes, and for bathing.
“Sometimes, some water source cannot provide usable liquid because of the high salt content, that does not work for soap or detergents” Zarima told.
For the community, fetching water from the deep well is difficult, but what is harder is the access to safe water.
“One-gallon of clean water costs P15.00, that is good for three days for drinking only. For our family, we can buy three gallons but for others who can only buy one gallon, it is difficult because the transportation cost (P100.00) is more expensive than the water fee”, Zarima explained.
On February 9, 2021, Zarina and the whole community of Brgy. Palao sa Buto may start telling better stories of their access to safe water. The barangay has officially received a solar-powered water system project through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTF-RDP/2).
The turnover ceremony was held on the said day that marked the official acceptance of the People’ Organization in the barangay on the responsibility over the management and operation of the project.
Women involvement in camps development project is highly regarded as the MTF-RDP/2 employs community-driven development (CDD), where participation of all sectors in the community is encouraged for consultative and inclusive project approach that is helpful in promoting ownership, transparency, accountability and sustainability.
In 2019, 52% of the over 50, 000 total number of beneficiaries across the six major camps are women.
The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) as project implementing unit of the MTF-RDP/2 reported that quality, safety and compliance of the project implementation of water system are considered taking into account the agreed standards and policies of the World Bank- the fund administrator of the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF).
Selection of the project was decided based on the series of consultations and meetings with the various stakeholders and the Task Forces on Camps Transformation (TFCT- MILF), who are combatants selected to undergo capacity building to transition their mindset from conflict to development.
MTF-RDP/2 was agreed in 2018, with the common aspiration to sustain the momentum of the peace process between the GPH-MILF, this time focus on the six previously acknowledged major camps of the MILF as informed by the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
The project was building on the 10 years of experience of community- driven development (CDD), the Phase I of the MTFRDP (2006-2017).
It now covers selected villages in the six major camps of the MILF (Abubakar, Badre, Bilal, Bushra, Omar and Rajamuda).
In its development plan launched recently, BARMM reported that in 2018, 55% of households in ARMM have access to safe drinking water.
Health service is not only about injection, it must come with education (Health condition in camp communities)
Written by BDA Communications
(February 3, 2021). People in three of four barangays in camp communities has to endure long travel time before reaching the nearest health facility. This was based on the initial findings from recent community visits in the camps, in relevance to the health sub-component of the community development assistance under the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase III (MTF-RDP/3).
The assistance on health for MTF-RDP/3 is intended to expand the services for camp communities, considering the poor health condition in remote areas, further the current threat of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Part of this support is the series of orientation on COVID-19 that helped in raising the awareness and understanding of camps people on this infectious disease. Topics were defining COVID-19, signs and symptoms, preventive measures, among others.
In one meeting with BARMM agencies, Ministry of Health (MOH) expressed support to the program sharing the belief that indeed, people in distant areas have poor access to correct information, which is quite disturbing for their health, safety and overall being.
“You would see that people in the camps are in good condition. Many still believe in traditional healing methods. But as health professionals, it is our responsibility to help these people understand better the importance of health e.g. maternal care, vaccination, etc.”, Carolyn B. Piang, BDA Inc. public health officer stated.
BDA Inc. is looking forward to conduct survey on the health status in camp communities to determine needs in these remote areas and possibly come up with specific intervention, in the near future.
Also included in health services is the education on reproductive health, child care, blood donation, others.
Visit to rural health units in the project sites was also relevant part in supporting camps communities in terms of medical services.
Recently, health workers selected to assist health programs in camp communities underwent training on first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The activity was facilitated by Philippines National Red Cross (PNRC)- Cotabato City Chapter.
Participants also had the chance to visit community birthing clinic in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao- where they learned how this simple birthing facility was able to grow and develop, with the spirit of committed service for communities in need.
Health workers from Amanah Birthing Clinic and PNRC both told participants to be guided by commitment over employment in practicing health profession.
“By simply responding to a question on what to do for headache, is already a service that you render.”
Participants expressed thanks for the training, with many of them having the said training for the first time. Through this activity, they understand further their roles and responsibilities in providing health services in camp communities.
This training is part of the MTF-RDP/3- a project supporting the implementation of the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Health facilities are also underway through MTF-RDP/3. There will be one unit of health facility for each of the six major camps covered by the project. The construction started in January 2021.
Road project uplifts living condition of Iranun village in camp community
Written by BDA Communications
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY A “BETTER LIFE” THAT WE ALL WORKING AND WANTED FOR?
December 2020. For a community in Brgy. Tabuan, Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur (CAMP ABUBABAKAR), better life means better access to basic services- a change of living condition to better.
“The lifestyle of the people here has changed. Many were able to buy single motorcycles and other vehicle types because it is now accessible. Before the road project, we can only go to the nearest market once a day due to the difficulty in road access. Now, we can come and go more frequently to avail our needs for our families”, Analyn Talib stated. She is a member of the people’s organization in the barangay mobilized during the project implementation.
Banoy Ali, a farmer in the barangay recalls (before the road project) that sometimes some farmers have to manually carry their crops going to the market due to incapacity to pay for transportation cost (through horse). Now transport is easy since the barangay becomes accessible for other types of transport- lesser time and expenses because of the good road condition.
In 2018, Brgy. Tabuan received a road project through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTF-RDP/2). The road was completed and turned over to the community in August 2019.
More than a year after project turnover to the community, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) went back to the barangay and asked how did the Iranun community in Brgy. Tabuan manage the operation, maintenance and sustainability of the one-lane concrete road.
The road is still in good condition and essential benefits are countless for the whole community. Farmers have better transport of crops, women have improved access for their needs, the children and the other sectors.
Now, Brgy. Tabuan is once again selected to receive agri- training and production facility through the MTF-RDP on its Phase III. The barangay is within the Camp Abubakar of the six previously acknowledged camps of the MILF- where the MTF-RDP/3 is being implemented in support to the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). (Re-Ann Adam/BDA Comm)
Noon sa pawas (marsh) kami kumukuha ng tubig, ngayon mayroon ng malinis na tubig dahil sa project na ito
Written by BDA Communications
December 16, 2020. In this era of development in the Bangsamoro, women rise and recall stories of sacrifices in times of war.
Ustadza Halima Hashim of the MILF Social Welfare Committee (SWC) spoke about gratitude and dedication during the recent gathering in Brgy. Inug-ug, Pikit, North Cotabato within the Camp Rajamuda for the turnover ceremony of the solar-powered water system (Level II) project implemented in support to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Ustadza Halima recalled that in times of battle “we could not meet and convene like this; we get water from marsh for daily use”.
“We have to be grateful for all this development happening at present. We remember those who sacrificed, those who shed blood. They are not with us anymore, today”, the respected-woman told.
She added “now that we see this development, we have to work together and harder”.
Ustadza Halima is a sister of the late MILF founding chairman Salamat Hashim. She possesses a leadership charm, being the chair of SWC Liguasan Province. As a woman-leader in the woman-wing of the MILF, she has the respect, trust and support of fellow women members, other stakeholders and of the whole community.
Water source in Brgy. Inug-ug are deep well and artisan well, that provides water for washing and bathing but is not safe for drinking. People have to buy purified water for drinking from the town center. Now with the project, safe water source is within their reach, installed at near the household beneficiaries of the project.
The turnover ceremony
Turnover Ceremony of the SEI project for Mindanao Trust Fund – Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTFRDP/2) marks the official passing of the responsibility on operation, maintenance and sustainability of the project to the People’s Organization (PO) formed in the community/barangay. In this, the PO will officially receive a certificate of acceptance and turnover, which will symbolize the authenticity of this significant event, where various sectors, stakeholders and partners witness the activity. Implementing agency reminds the PO of the trainings provided to them and urge them to apply all those learning and skills towards the operation, maintenance and sustainability of the project.
During the turnover of the project in Inug-ug- CAMP RAJAMUDA, various stakeholders and partners came and shared the celebration and success of the project- that signify the peace and development in the region.
- Task Force on Camps Transformation (Camp Rajamuda)
- Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA-BARMM)
- Office of MP O. Salik (Bangsamoro Transition Authority)
- International Monitoring Team (IMT)
- Municipal Local Government Unit- Pikit, North Cotabato
- Barangay Local Government Unit- Inug-ug, Pikit, North Cotabato
- MILF Political Committee
- People’s Organization
- Community Members
- Tamontaka Builers
- Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)
- Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.)
- Community and Family Services International (CFSI)
IN PHOTOS: TURN-OVER CEREMONY OF SOLAR POWERED WATER SYSTEM LEVEL II IN CAMP RAJAMUDA
THIS PROJECT IS OUR LIFE, WE FEEL THAT WE BELONG - The realization of road project in a camp community
Written by BDA Communications
December 8, 2020. Abdulnassser Akmad, a community leader in Brgy. Kurintem, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao delivered today a touching wonderful message as he spoke during the turnover ceremony of concrete road in Brgy. Sifaran, DOS, Maguindanao- CAMP BADRE.
“This project is our life. You gave us not what we want but what we need” he stated.
In his speech, as their organization formally received the certificate of turnover for the project, Abdulnasser told that he did not reach high school education, but he was determined to speak in English in gratitude of the project given to them.
“We have to spend P100.00 per sack of corn to transport to the nearest market”, he told.
For a poor family in remote areas, that amount is big enough to add to their expenses plus the burden of difficult road to carry their local crops, to sustain their families.
He said that “before, because we are living in far community, we feel the isolation and being underserved, now with this project, we feel that we are near, that we belong”.
“We are deeply thankful. We will take care of this project as we take care of ourselves” Abdulnasser ended.
The Sifaran Story
Imagine the burden of selling your farm crop yield to the market wherein the income shall be needed to feed your family, but bringing your farm produce requires means of transportation that endures rough and tough road.
Imagine sick individuals who need immediate access to basic health services, but they are constrained because they are residing in a remote area, at least 10 kilometers from the nearest medical station.
Imagine a pregnant mother who will about to bear a child and bring new life to this world, but one will need to endure a long travel and challenging ride before she can avail a safe and better natal health care.
This is the life of people in Brgy. Sifaran, DOS, Maguindanao within the territory of CAMP BADRE- one of the acknowledged six major camps of the MILF.
Barangay Sifaran is an agricultural land. Means of transportation is only habal-bahal (single motorcycle). Farm products such as corn, rice, banana and coconut are being transported to the market by habal-habal which is almost 10 kilometers away from the farmlands.
The road condition really affects the daily lives of the community especially during rainy season. The road is unpassable and even habal-habal found it difficult to travel; delivery of farm produce had been delayed and damaged before it reaches the market. Incidents of motorcycle crashes have been increasing with one recorded death due to accident during the course of sub-project implementation the site. Since the only means of transportation is habal-habal, the travel fare is very expensive wherein most of the residents cannot afford. Instead, they opt to hike to go their destination, especially the students.
Today, December 8, 2020, the collective dream of this people is realized as the concrete road project was officially turned over to the community through the People’s Organization mobilized for the project.
The project is funded through the Mindanao Trust Fund – Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTFRDP/2)- implemented in support to the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Through the road construction, the steep and challenging portions were cut, elevations were fixed, passing of commuters is already smooth. Even though it was not fully paved yet, there were no more recorded incidents in the area. Delivery of farm products is now faster compared to the previous condition, the freshness and the quality of the farm produce has been preserved that commands higher buying price, and improved household income.
Turnover Ceremony
Turnover Ceremony of the SEI project for MTFRDP/2 marks the official passing of the responsibility on operation, maintenance and sustainability of the project to the People’s Organization (PO) formed in the community/barangay. In this, the PO will officially receive a certificate of acceptance and turnover, which will symbolize the authenticity of this significant event, where various sectors, stakeholders and partners witness the activity. Implementing agency reminds the PO of the trainings provided to them and urge them to apply all those learning and skills towards the operation, maintenance and sustainability of the project.
During the turnover of the project in Sifaran- CAMP BADRE, various stakeholders and partners came and shared the celebration and success of the project- that signify the peace and development in the region.
- Task Force on Camps Transformation (Camp Badre)
- Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA-BARMM)
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR- BARMM)
- Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MIPA- BARMM)
- International Monitoring Team (IMT)
- Municipal Local Government Unit- DOS, Maguindanao
- Barangay Local Government Unit- Sifaran, DOS, Maguindanao
- People’s Organization
- Community Members
- Minrock Builders
- Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)
- Political Committee (PolCom)
- Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.)
- Community and Family Services International (CFSI)
COVID-19 Awareness in the Camps towards healthier and productive community
Written by BDA Communications
December 6, 2020. While various development efforts are underway in camps communities, approaches shall consider the current threat brough about by the global pandemic on COVID-19.
Being situated in remote areas, people in camp communities can have difficulty to access of information about this global threat not only on health but on economic aspect as a whole.
With this, series of information drive about COVID-19 is being undertaken as one sub-component of the of the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase III (MTF-RDP/3) across the communities in the six major camp where the project is implemented.
In a recent, inception meeting with BARMM Agencies for MTFRDP/3, Ministry of Health reported that many people in the remote areas are still not convinced of the threat brought about by the COVID-19, thus the ministry is looking forward to reach out those communities for education and awareness on the pandemic.
MTFRDP/3 is a project informed by the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), that aims to enable identified communities in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao to access socio-economic opportunities as well as basic services and engage select ministries of the BARMM in participatory governance mechanisms.
More...
With the intention to establish link with the agencies of the #Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (#BARMM) for the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase III (MTF-RDP/3), the first inception meeting was conducted on November 27, 2020 in Cotabato City.
Designated officials and focal person from BARMM Agencies attended the activity and expressed common aspiration to extend services to camp communities, based on their office’s expertise.
✅Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA)
✅Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR),
✅Ministry of Health (MOH)
✅Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS)
✅Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
✅Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)
✅Ministry of Social Services and Development
✅Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs
Mainstreaming with BARMM line agencies is one major component of the MTFRDP/3, in an intent to establish links for sharing lessons and experiences over the years for consistent and complementary development approaches.
MTFRDP/3 is a project informed by the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), that aims to enable identified communities in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao to access socio-economic opportunities as well as basic services and engage select ministries of the BARMM in participatory governance mechanisms.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Humility, Patience, Towards Community Development in the Camps
Written by BDA Communications
October 26, 2020. It is when you are discussing a topic to the group of participants of the training you are facilitating and someone was just walking in the middle carrying a weapon, as if showing off power and disrespect.
Another scene is when a village leader did not welcome your team to the place, and whenever there is activity, he will send a group of armed men circling around the venue.
What would you do as the team leader of the project?
For Alimuddin Hadjinor, community development officer of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), such incident was part of the dynamics in camp communities that a development worker must know and understand. For him, patience is the best thing that one should possess to be able to manage such situation and realities.
“I and my team had let them do such disrespectful act and we just went on with our activity”, Hadjinor said.
He added that even they were ignored by the village leader despite the various attempts to pay respect to their office, his team would still go down for a while to greet and update them about the activity they are conducting for the day in the community.
“We just let them with that manner, no words from us. We only told them that our team is here in the village to conduct training as important component of the project that shall provide benefit of the people”, Hadjinor stated.
His team carried out all the activities in line with the project implementation and maintained harmonious relationship among the community members in the camp.
Hadjinor has been leading the team of Camp Project Support Team (CPST) in Camp Omar Ib’n Al-Khattab, who is the first team to complete the implementation of the socio-economic infrastructure (SEI) sub-project under the MTF-RDP/2 Stage 2 and officially turned over the facility to the rightful beneficiary in Brgy. Talibadok, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao.
The agri-facility building with solar dryer and corn sheller sub-project shall benefit the farmers and the residents of the community who have no access to post-harvest facilities- thus affecting their income to sustain their families. Brgy. Talibadok is an agricultural land, and farming is one major source of income.
This sub-project is funded by the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTF-RDP/2)- implemented in support to the confidence-building measures on Camps Transformation under the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
MTF-RDP/2 covers eight villages in the six acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) namely: Camp Abubakar as-Siddique, Camp Badre, Camp Bilal bin Rabbah Darul Shuhada, Camp Busrah Somiorang, Camp Omar Ib’n Al-Kattab, and Camp Rajamuda.
MTF-RDP/2 focused its support to the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) towards transforming their outlook from conflict to development. There is also a component on Alternative Learning System (ALS) that cater the needs of the vulnerable groups like the out-of-school youth, women, elderlies, person with disabilities, and others who were not able to complete education due to war and poverty.
Teamwork and respect
CPST Camp Omar is composed of Alimuddin Hadjinor (Community Development Officer), Nasser Masandag (community organizer), Engr. Abdulgaffar Sundang (rural infrastructure engineer), and Walid Maliga (driver).
When asked what is their best practice as a team that enabled them to be the first CPST to complete and successfully turned over one of two sub-projects in the said camp, these hardworking development workers said, “It’s the respect.”
“We respect each other. We recognize the role of each member of the team. We do consultation, we listen to everyone’s idea and then we come up with an informed and collective decision”, Engr. Sundang stated.
”Teamwork is also a winning practice”, Masandag stressed.
“We help one another. While we do our own job, based on our position, we also help each other if anyone of us cannot do his task because of some valid reasons”, Masandag added.
Meanwhile, Walid Maliga, the team driver, is appreciative to the team for considering his thoughts whenever they have activities to conduct.
Now, the team is happy to share that those individuals who have disbelief in them and to the project are their friends already. In fact, those people have asked for forgiveness from the team and since then, those enemies are now friends.
CPST Camp Omar told that these friends have become supportive of the project, generous to them, offering them food and warm welcome whenever they are in the community, for monitoring and supervision of the project implementation.
“The most important is the intention. As long as you know your goal, and why are you doing the project, and that it is for the benefit of people, not of a single individual, you will succeed” the team ended. (BDAInc.2020)
Road opens for remote community in MILF camp
Written by BDA Communications
"We are on the road to recovery...
"We will do our best to take care of this project...
"All-out-war in 2000, this is now the blessing..
"This is a big honor for us....
"This road project will result to high productivity and low losses of Bangsamoro farmers....
"Bangsamoro Gov.t supports development projects that benefit the Bangsamoro constituents...
These were the words and statements of various stakeholders who attended the Turnover Ceremony of One-lane Concrete Road on November 23, 2020 in Brgy. Nabalawag, Barira, Maguindanao (CAMP ABUBAKAR).
The project was funded through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTF-RDP/2)- implemented in support to the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
- #Bangsamoro Development Agency (#BDA Inc.)
- #Bangsamoro Planning and Development Agency (BPDA-#BARMM)
- Task Force on Camps Transformation- Camp Abubakar
- Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (JTFCT-MILF)
- Community and Family Services International
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (#MAFAR-#BARMM)
- Municipal Local Government Unit of Barira, Maguindanao
- Barangay Local Government Unit of Nabalawag, Barira, Maguindanao
- International Monitoring Team
- People's Organization
- Community members
- Stoneline Construction
 |
 |
 |
 |
Continuing Assistance to Camp Communities
Written by BDA Communications
Partners and stakeholders at the community level express full support to the continuing development assistance coming for camp communities through the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase Three (MTF-RDP/3). Recently, BDA Camp Project Support Team across the six major camps paid courtesy call to partner local government units (municipal and barangay level) and to MILF Political Committee as part of the coordination and communication strategy to inform stakeholders of the key information about the project, guided by the values of transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.
MTF-RDP/3 is a project implemented in continuing support to the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB); and in desire to aid the Bangsamoro transition taking into account the current global pandemic towards an inclusive collaborative and complementary peace and development approach for all.