PASAY CITY – Peacebuilding efforts in the Bangsamoro got another major boost, as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Maguindanao del Norte inked on Tuesday, July 23, an agreement worth Php15 million.
The PLGU Maguindanao del Norte, led by Governor Abdulraof Macacua, and the OPAPRU, headed by Presidential Peace Adviser, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., signed a Memorandum of Agreement to jointly implement the “Localizing Normalization Implementation” (LNI) initiative.
The forging of the agreement is in line with the national government’s commitment to bring lasting peace and development in the Bangsamoro region by providing various socioeconomic and security interventions that are tailor-fit to the needs of the province.
LNI: A commitment to the people
In his message during the ceremonial signing, Macacua underscored the importance of the agreement to his province, especially in uplifting the lives of his people.
“This agreement signifies not just a document but a promise, a commitment to the people of Maguindanao del Norte that we are taking concrete steps towards achieving lasting peace and sustainable development,” Macacua said.
“The LNI Program is a pivotal initiative emphasizing collaboration and concerted efforts among all stakeholders. Through this joint endeavor, we can create a meaningful impact at the local and grassroots levels, ensuring our initiatives resonate with our communities,” he added.
The governor reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to engage all sectors of society through “consultations at various local levels and building confidence with our Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) base commanders.”
“We understand that trust is the foundation upon which lasting relationships are built, and it is through these relationships that we will foster unity and collaboration,” he noted.
Macacua thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Galvez and the members of the Government Peace Implementing Mechanisms for continuously supporting his province’s march towards economic progress.
“Your dedication and support inspire us to continue this noble pursuit. I also wish to acknowledge the citizens of Maguindanao del Norte—your resilience and strength are the bedrock of our progress,” he said.
Under the MOA, local government units will be empowered to play a more active role in implementing the Normalization Program for former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, their families and their communities
The LNI is among the key peacebuilding initiatives being spearheaded by the OPAPRU to ensure the more effective and efficient implementation of the Normalization Program at the community level.
The LNI, which aims to uplift the lives of the MILF combatants and their families, takes into careful consideration the socioeconomic conditions of the Bangsamoro provinces where the program shall be implemented.
The Provincial Governments of Basilan and Lanao del Norte also signed a MOA with the OPAPRU in January and April 2024, respectively, to implement the LNI in their areas.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the agreement, the OPAPRU shall facilitate the LNI’s implementation in coordination with concerned organizations and agencies; coordinate with and support the Maguindanao del Norte PLGU on the conduct of programs and activities relative to the LNI; provide guidelines, inputs, schedules, and assessments to the Maguindanao del Norte PLGU in the implementation of the LNI program; resolve issues and concerns that are directly reported to OPAPRU arising from the implementation of the LNI program; provide financial and logistical support through the approved releases from the National Government Agencies (NGA) and other sources for the implementation of the LNI program; and assist in Resource Mobilization from Donor Agencies both local and international for the advancement in the implementation of the LNI program.
For their part, the Maguindanao del Norte PLGU shall organize and cover the expenses of secretariat meetings with OPAPRU; implement various socioeconomic development projects and camps transformation projects in the province; conduct information education campaigns via print, radio, and TV to inform the Maguindanao del Norte community; and facilitate consultations at various local levels to gather input and feedback.
Moreover, both parties shall also facilitate consultations at the local level, including provincial, city, municipal, barangay, and community stakeholders. These consultations aim to gather input and feedback, and ensure inclusivity in the LNI program; assist and monitor security-relative interventions, such as rido settlements in partnership with the AFP division and brigade commands in the province; provide confidence-building measures for the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) base commanders and officers; and ensure the compliance of documentation and reporting of the physical and financial progress of the program.
Anchored on hopes and dreams of Bangsamoro people
Meanwhile, Galvez said that the work for peace should “not be based on the personal agenda of a handful of individuals or groups” but rather on “the shared hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.”
He said that the LNI is an “initiative that is a testament to this shared vision. It is this collective desire to work together that will enable us to turn the seemingly impossible into reality.”
The peace adviser echoed the recent statement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ Jr. who said that the work for peace “is not an easy job. It is not the work of a day, it is not the work of a month, it is the work of a lifetime.”
According to Galvez, challenges are part of the continuous quest for peace, as he underscored the need for all stakeholders to continue helping each other in moving forward the Bangsamoro peace process.
“Sapagkat ito ang mga natatanging paraan kung paano natin mas mapapaigting ang kapayapaan at kaunlaran dito sa probinsya at sa kabuuan ng Bangsamoro. Higit pa dito, ito din ang pinaka-epektibong istratehiya kung paano natin mas mapagtitibay pa ang ating pagtutulungan tungo sa pagkamit ng ating iisang layunin,” he said. ###