NEWS




23March

World Bank – MTF and CFSI Team present Status Report on Camps Project Assistance to MILF Leadership

A team composed of Matt Stephens, Ms. Pia Peeters both from World Bank-Mindanao Trust Fund, Steven Muncy of Community and Services International (CFSI), Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, BDA Board Chair together with their respective staff presented in a meeting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front leadership the Status Report of the “Camps Project” Assistance. 

The presentation was on March 15, 2017 at the MILF Administrative Camp, Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, in the presence of MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Central Committee Members Muhammad Ameen, Ustadz Doli  Ahmad,  and Mohamad Salih.

The assistance comes from multi donors thru World Bank-MTF as Funds Secretariat, CFSI, Mindanao Land Foundation (MinLand)and International Labour Organization (ILO)  as the Trust Fund Recipients (TFRs).

The camps project in six acknowledged major camps of the MILF is being implemented by CFSI.  The project is to support its communities in transforming to be more productive.  While the Bangsamoro Advance and Solidarity is being implemented by BDA.  The BM-Advance is a support to the communities within 25 Base Commands of MILF and Solidarity is support to Mixed community such as IP's, Christian settlers and others.  The project is highly inclusive and participative 

The projects are in the form of community-based infrastructure, Livelihood/income generating projects, alternative learning system (ALS) and capacity building.

As a component of the peace process, the projects’ architecture and institutional arrangements are in support of peacebuilding and confidence-building objectives.

This can also be seen as dividend of peace that can be experienced or enjoyed by the constituents of the area that has long been suffering the state of civil disturbance.

After the presentation Chairman Ebrahim gave updates on the status of peace process. Particularly mentioned were the challenges besetting the present situation, the issue of inclusivity that has to be addressed, to gather the interest of other groups that can possibly be integrated in the new BBL and convergence/harmonization of effort with MNLF and their agreements with GPH.

In their concluding statements, Mr. Stephens and Mr. Muncy expressed thanks for the privilege and honor of having the chance to meet the leadership and wished all the best for the peace process, hoping that the Government of the Philippines and Bangsamoro will reach the goal. They also reiterated their support till the transition phase thru developmental projects.