MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE (15 AUGUST 2024)— The Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) caravan completed its second phase in the Lanao region, benefitting thousands of decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) combatants and their families.
This cross cutting, multi-agency initiative aimed to deliver essential government services and various socioeconomic initiatives to MILF communities in Camp Bilal, Lanao del Norte and Camp Bushra, Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Region, which are among the six government acknowledged MILF camps.
The caravan highlighted the National and Bangsamoro government’s commitment to pushing forward the normalization process and ensuring sustainable development and long-lasting peace in the region.
The event, which was held on August 15, was participated in by National Government Agencies, BARMM ministries, local government units as well as international peace partners.
Comprehensive range of services
The caravan delivered a comprehensive range of services which benefited at least 2,000 individuals from each of the camps.
Medical services included the provision of 575 eye check-ups with free eyeglasses, 100 dental kits, 500 hygiene kits, and 20 breastfeeding kits. Other health services included 1,425 general check ups with free medicine ,197 circumcisions, 30 minor operations, 75 dental care check ups, and 37 pediatric check ups, while 47 individuals were given assistive devices such as wheelchairs.
For social protection, 40 PhilHealth IDs were awarded, 850 PhilHeath ID applications were facilitated for registration, 46 PhilSys registrations were completed, 113 birth registrations were facilitated, and 56 requests for civil documents were attended to.
For the livelihood sector, 85 associations and cooperatives underwent renewal and registration. Furthermore, seedlings were distributed, including 3,000 from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 2,000 from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), and 600 from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).
Some 2,000 E-Nutribuns were distributed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). For children, one school in Camp Bushra was awarded a School-in-a-Bag package by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which included one laptop, 10 tablets, and LTE devices. The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) gave out bags of toys to 500 children.
A cybersecurity awareness orientation, digital literacy and eGov App orientation was conducted for over 210 community members by the DICT along with installation of internet access points through Starlink for the NGAs in the Caravan.
As part of confidence-building efforts, 21 MILF members submitted their amnesty application to the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) booth with lawyers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) facilitating their oath. Some 36 individuals also took part in peace conversations on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation, while 110 TJR IEC materials were distributed.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also provided 59 haircuts, while local vendors offered various items, including Palapa, a homemade spice produced in Lanao del Sur. Additional items distributed included 60 notebooks, 30 tote bags, 40 training modules, 90 brochures, and 60 fans by the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP).
Information booths were set up in the camps to assist individuals in accessing government various services and programs. The AFP conducted a briefing for 150 individuals for its IEC on AFP Enlistment, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assisted 188 individuals on irs recruitment process and firearms registration, and the Fondation Suisse de Deminage (FSDl) provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to 577 individuals.
In Camp Bushra, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) provided 115 residents information on its passport and consular services.
Former MILF combatant Edgar expressed his gratitude to the national line agencies and BARMM ministries, saying, “It means a lot to us [former combatants] to know that we are not forgotten and that we have the support we need to transition back into civilian life.”
Aliah, also a former combatant and mother, acknowledged the importance of these services for her family.
“It’s a huge relief to know that the government is looking out for us decommissioned combatants and our families. I feel like we are finally being recognized and supported,” she said.
Rural Health Unit in Camp Bushra
Also Camp Bushra, the Task Force for the Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC) turned over a newly constructed Rural Health Unit (RHU) with a birthing facility to the community in Barangay Sandab, Butig, Lanao Del Sur.
To ensure the comprehensive delivery of healthcare services to the community, the RHU is equipped with a delivery room, pharmacy, minor surgical room, pathology room, dental room, examination room, x-ray room, laboratory, and doctor’s office.
This facility is designed to serve an estimated population of 5,000, including more than 500 decommissioned MILF combatants residing in Camp Bushra, as well as their families and residents of adjacent communities.
The construction of the RHU, which is among the socio-economic programs for decommissioned combatants (DCs) and their communities, is one of six such facilities being built in MILF camps. The RHU in Bushra is the second to be turned over by the TFDCC, with four more facilities scheduled for turnover in the coming weeks.
The Php57 million project is a joint effort of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Bangsamoro Ministry of Health (MOH).
The turnover of the RHU in Camp Bushra was held during the ICCMN Service Caravan and was attended by Mayor Dimnatang Pansar of Butig, Member of Parliament Jannati Mimbantas, Dr. Analyn Dimanapat of MOH, Directors Luisito Rabat and Carlo Paulino from OSAP, OPAPRU Presidential Assistant Cesar Yano of the Government Peace Implementing Panel, JTFCT Co-Chair Danilo Pamonag, and Joint Peace and Security (JPSC) Co-Chair Francisco Ariel Felicidario.
ICCMN, an unwavering commitment to peace
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted how the caravan is helping to boost the National Government’s peacebuilding and development efforts in the Bangsamoro.
“The ICCMN caravan is an important initiative in advancing the normalization process. It demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that former combatants and their communities receive the necessary support for their transition to civilian life and for rebuilding their communities.” Brawner said.
Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), underscored the caravan’s significance to the Bangsamoro peace process.
“This caravan is a testament to the government’s commitment to the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The program aims to transform previously acknowledged MILF camps into thriving communities. Ang landas tungo sa kapayapaan ay isang paglalakbay na dapat nating tahakin nang sama-sama,” Galvez said.
Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., in his message delivered by Assistant Secretary Ria Lumapas of OSAP, reaffirmed the government’s support for the Bangsamoro region, as he stressed the importance of providing essential services to the MILF members and their families to empower them and ensure their inclusion in the peacebuilding process.
“Through our constant dialogues, we have come to fully grasp the needs of our Bangsamoro communities. This ICCMN Caravan, by providing the most basic of government services, such as ensuring that our citizens are officially part of the national records and statistics through civil registration, is an integral component of confidence building and a strong foundation for creating an inclusive society,” said Lagdameo in his message.
“This is also in line with the mission of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bring the government closer to the people by ensuring that government services are accessed by Filipinos in every part of the country,” he added.
Member of the Parliament Jannati Mimbantas emphasized the continued support coming from the Bangsamoro Government.
“We are very thankful to our leaders in the Bangsamoro Government for not neglecting us and to our Front Commanders for their continued guidance among former combatants,” Mimbantas said.
For his part, Member of the Parliament Abdullah Macapaar also expressed his commitment to ensuring the success of the normalization process, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving long-lasting peace in the region.
The ICCMN caravan represents a significant step toward achieving enduring peace and development in the Bangsamoro region. The comprehensive services delivered, coupled with collaborative efforts and strong government commitment, indicate a brighter future for the region and its people. ###