The Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) Caravan concluded on Friday, August 2, its successful run, bringing a wide array of government services to decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their communities in Camp Abubakar and Camp Rajamuda.

The caravan, which is a testament to the collaborative spirit of various national government line agencies, Bangsmaoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mndanao (BARMM) ministries, and international partners, aimed to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro people and strengthen the Bangsamoro peace process.

The caravan shall be conducted in three legs, covering the core barangays in MILF camps previously visited by ICCMN member-agencies.

Camp Abubakar: An Array of Services

In Camp Abubakar, the caravan became a bustling hub of activity, providing medical services, PhilHealth registration, seedling distribution, animal health services, food packs, ICT equipment for students, PhilSys Registration and birth registration.

The event also featured information booths on the national government’s Amnesty Program, military enlistment, worker organization registration, and peace and reconciliation initiatives.

The collaborative effort resulted in 701 individuals receiving medical consultations and medicine, four minor surgeries, 30 tooth extractions, 63 circumcisions, as well as 486 individuals receiving eye screenings with eyeglasses.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) registered 1,500 individuals and awarded IDs to 17 decommissioned combatants. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) collectively distributed 12,050 seedlings, with the PLGU of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte also providing animal health services to 300 animals.

The PLGU likewise distributed 150 food packs, while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provided nutribuns and milk bars to 1,000 people. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) awarded a school package consisting of 10 tablets and one computer to Abubakar Siddique Elementary School. The Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) assistedsix individuals in the process of registering worker’s associations. The PSA BARMM also provided PhilSys registration and birth registration to the community. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) offered information on enlistment and free haircuts for children. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education was also provided, while the Philippine National Police (PNP) gave information on recruitment and firearms registration.

In the meantime, the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) body facilitated peace conversations with students and community members, fostering dialogue and understanding. The Local Amnesty Board provided information on amnesty and its application process, with one applicant completing their application on-site.

Bassir Dimauko, a local resident, expressed his gratitude to the ICCMN, saying, “Thank you to your colleagues for the free items they gave us.”

He also emphasized the caravan’s significance for those living far from the town proper, stating, “We are thankful to the government for bringing these services closer to us.”

Decommissioned MILF combatant Samsudin Dimasira also thanked the national government for the assistance he received, saying, “I used the initial ₱100,000 I received to support my children’s Arabic and English studies. The subsequent smaller amounts also went to their education at the madrasah. Thank you to the Philippine government for the assistance we received. Many thanks to OPAPRU and everyone who helped provide for us decommissioned combatants.”

Camp Rajamuda: Relief Efforts

In Camp Rajamuda, the focus was on providing relief to those affected by recent flooding, which affected thousands of residents in the region.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed relief packages to 1,703 individuals residing in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Collaborative Success and Shared Vision

The successful conduct of the ICCMN Caravan underscored the commitment of all stakeholders to the peace process and the development of the Bangsamoro region.

The event not only provided tangible benefits to the communities but also served as a testament of hope, unity and commitment to a better future.

The caravan’s impact extended way beyond the immediate services provided, as it helped foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration between the government and the Bangsamoro people, further strengthening the foundations of peace and reconciliation.

The caravan in Barangay Tugaig was the first in a series of activities that seek to bring essential social services closer to decommissioned MILF combatants and communities in the previously government-acknowledged MILF camps, including Camp Rajamuda in Pikit, Cotabato Province; Camp Bilal in Munai, Lanao del Norte; Camp Bushra in Butig, Lanao del Sur; Camp Omar in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur; and Camp Badre in Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Voices of Leadership

During the opening program in Camp Abubakar, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., whose message was read by OPAPRU Director Wendell Orbeso, emphasized the importance of the caravan, stating, “This ICCMN Caravan stands as a powerful testament to the strength of our collective spirit and the profound resilience of the Bangsamoro people. It is more than just a symbol of progress; it is a beacon of hope illuminating our shared path towards a future where every person can thrive.”

Orbeso, who heads the OPAPRU’s MILF Peace Process Office, echoed Galvez’s sentiment, noting that the caravan provided an opportunity to update the decommissioned combatants and beneficiary communities on the status of implementation of the commitments made by the national government and address the issues and concerns raised during previous camp visits.

He also highlighted the caravan’s broader significance, stating that it is “first in a series where ICCMN member-agencies bring government services to decommissioned combatants and communities in the other previously acknowledged MILF camps.”

Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr., whose message was read by Assistant Secretary Ria Lumapas, lauded the achievements of the BARMM, emphasizing the government’s commitment to its success, stating, “We are pleased with the fruits of our collaboration, especially in decommissioning combatants and supporting their transformation as citizens actively and productively engaged in building sustainably progressive, peaceful communities.”

For his part, Galvez cited education, livelihood, and security as cornerstones in transforming MILF camps into thriving communities.

He stated, “These initiatives are not mere projects; they are instruments towards achieving a brighter future.”

The caravan sent a strong message to the beneficiaries that the national government is committed to fulfilling its promises to the Bangsamoro people. ###