The construction of 110 housing units each for former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has begun in two former camps, one in Lanao del Norte and the other in Maguindanao del Norte, marking a significant step in the normalization process of the peace deal between the government and the former rebel group.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) launched the resettlement projects on Thursday, December 19 in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte, and on Friday, December 20 in sitio Kura-Kura, Tamparan in Munai, Lanao del Norte. These projects aim to transform the former MILF camps into thriving communities with economic opportunities.

 

Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, who led the groundbreaking ceremony at Camp Bilal in Munai alongside Member of Parliament (MP) Abdullah Macapaar, expressed optimism that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would soon issue a Presidential Proclamation declaring 200 hectares of Camp Bilal as a permanent settlement area.  

Al-Khwarizmi U. Indanan, regional director of the National Housing Authority (NHA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), confirmed that once approved, a land title would follow.

 

Of the 200 hectares, 12 hectares would be allotted for residential use, while the remaining 188 hectares would be dedicated to community development support facilities.

 

Both Camp Abubakar in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte, and Camp Bilal in Munai, Lanao del Norte, will initially have 110 housing units, with BARMM committing an additional 100 units for Camp Bilal. A model unit is expected to be built on Camp Bilal for viewing by visitors by January or February of next year.

 

The P180-million housing projects, funded by Opapru through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program, aim to transform six former MILF camps into peaceful and productive communities over the next six years.  The program also addresses area development, community development, human security, and provides a roadmap for transformation.

 

“If there is no peace, there is no development, if there is development, there is peace,” Galvez emphasized.  He added that the project would give the decommissioned combatants renewed hope and a fresh start as they return to mainstream society.

 

Macapaar, also known as MILF’s Commander Bravo, expressed gratitude to Opapru for providing permanent housing units for former MILF combatants and their families. 

“We will continue to support the peace process for the development of our communities,” Macapaar said.