PBBM: Basilan from terrorism to zone of peace

SUMISIP, BASILAN — As a testament of his unwavering commitment to bring greater peace, security and stability to this once conflict-ridden island province, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Saturday, March 2, led the smelting of 550 surrendered firearms. (more…)

By |2024-03-03T20:58:57+08:00March 3rd, 2024|MILF, MNLF, News|0 Comments

MinDa, EU and Donor community launch Hybrid diesel-solar power plants in Sibutu-Sitangkai,Tawi-Tawi

Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi (29 February 2024) — In a bid to improve residents’ access to reliable renewable energy sources and boost the island-province’s economy, top national, provincial and donor agency officials launched on Thursday, February 28, two solar PV diesel hybrid power plant projects in the coastal communities of Sibutu and Sitangkai.

The launching ceremony was led by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, Department of Energy, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). (more…)

By |2024-03-03T10:49:30+08:00March 3rd, 2024|MILF, MNLF, News|0 Comments

OPAPRU does not condone anomaly on cash grants for decommissioned MILF combatant transitional cash aid; to initiate an investigation

PASAY CITY – Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., on Tuesday, February 20, said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), which oversees the implementation of the country’s comprehensive peace process, does not condone any anomaly in the implementation of the decommissioning process for former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Galvez made this statement after three decommissioned MILF combatants aired their complaints to Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Galvez before the conduct of the Senate hearing on the decommissioning process called for by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace Unification and Reconciliation. (more…)

By |2024-02-29T13:12:22+08:00February 29th, 2024|CBA-CPLA, CPP-NPA-NDF, MILF, MNLF, NAC, News, OPAPRU|0 Comments

OPAPRU, BARMM lead turnover of rural health units in MILF camps; conducts medical caravan and Philhealth registration

CAMP RAJAMUDA, PIKIT, NORTH COTABATO (16 FEBRUARY 2024) — In a bid to bolster healthcare services in underserved communities, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity through the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC), together with the the Department of Health (DOH), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Health (BARMM-MOH), spearheaded the ceremonial turnover of rural health units with birthing facilities in the six camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a medical caravan, and PhilHealth registration here.

The event, participated in by government officials, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, showcased the concerted efforts of the national and Bangsamoro governments to address the healthcare needs of residents of communities within the MILF camps and neighboring areas.

Government of the Philippines Implementing Panel (GPIP) Chairman, Presidential Assistant Cesar Yano, emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare services in fostering community development and stability.

According to Yano, healthcare is a fundamental right that every citizen deserves. By providing essential medical services and facilities, “will not only improve the well-being of the people but also contribute to the overall peace and unity of the region and the nation as a whole.”

Sincere, continued commitment of the national government

The ceremonial turnover of rural health units symbolized the commitment of the government to ensure sustained healthcare access in rural communities. These five units located in Brgy. Panggao, Munai, Lanao Del Norte, Brgy. Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao, Brgy. Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur, Brgy. Guindulungan, Maguindanao and the almost complete Brgy. Nabalawag, Barira, Maguindanao, are expected to serve as vital hubs for delivering primary healthcare services, including consultations, vaccinations, and maternal care.

For Undersecretary of Health, Field Implementation and Coordination Team – Mindanao (FICT-M), Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr. the “facility will be able to serve the people in the area more appropriately and responsibly.”

“Further I am sure, na this will be operated with utmost care and concern for the benefit of the many generations to come. Itong facility na ito ay hindi lamang magsho-showcase kundi bilang magiging legacy as a sincerity ng pamahalaan. Sinsero po ang ating gobyerno para makapagbigay ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan especially the Bangsamoro People,” Dumama said.

“Kami po sa Department of Health, gagawin po namin ang aming makakaya para ipaabot po sa inyo ang sapat at tamang kalidad ng serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa lahat. Wala po kaming iiwan. Lahat po tayo ay sabay-sabay na mapabuti ang serbisyong ito. Hindi po pwedeng siya lang, hindi pwedeng ako lang, kundi tayong lahat,” he added.

Dumama explained to residents that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the government corporation attached to the Department of Health, is mandated to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable and accessible healthcare services for all Filipinos.

“Yung Philhealth na sinasabi nila, lahat po tayo ay miyembro na wala na pong kailangan bayaran pang premium dahil tayo ay Pilipino. Wala pong isang kusing na ipapalabas ang ating mga kababayan lalong-lao na po ang mga mahihirap,” he bared.

Meanwhile, TFDCC co-chair and Member of Parliament Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia noted that “the construction of the RHU was a product of an agreement involving the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Health (BARMM-MOH). It contributes not only towards making health services more accessible to the community but also towards fostering peace in the Bangsamoro.”

Alamia, also stressed the importance of having a rural health unit with a birthing facility in improving local health conditions and reducing maternal and infant mortality, especially in areas that are far from hospitals like Camp Rajamuda.

Moreover, the medical caravan participated by the MOH Regional, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital, Integrated Provincial Health Office-Maguindanao (IPHO), IPHO Lanao, MOH Special Geographic Area (SGA), and PhilHealth brought much-needed healthcare services directly to the doorstep of residents.

With a team of healthcare professionals on board, the caravan was able to provide more than 1,000 residents with free medical services such as checkup, pre- and post-natal consultation, circumcision, and dental services, give medicines and equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches, and conducted bloodletting.

“Not the end but the beginning of continued partnership”

In addition to healthcare services, the event also facilitated the PhilHealth registration of more than 500 residents, making them qualitifed for the public health insurance benefits. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden for medical services and empower individuals to seek necessary healthcare without hesitation.
OPAPRU Executive Director For Bangsamoro Transformation Jordan S. Bayam, noted that the turnover of the six rural health units is “not the end but the beginning of continued partnership to ensure the delivery of quality social health services in the community here and other MILF camps where rural health units are built.”

“We will assure you that we will continue our efforts to provide healthcare and other services to the decommissioned combatants, their families and their communities. I think we are all aware that the lack of basic social services emerges [from] poverty, which in return fuels aggression. Through the provision of basic social services [and] other social economic programs and [through] political reforms we are implementing, we can finally achieve the elusive dream of peace in the Bangsamoro,’’ he noted.

Proactive approach

Local officials and community leaders expressed gratitude for the government’s unwavering support in improving healthcare access in their region. They lauded the efforts of the OPAPRU, along with its partner agencies, for their whole-of-government approach in providing healthcare and peace-building initiatives.

BTA -Member of Parliament Akmad Jack Abas Alhadj expressed his hopes for continued government support, as he reiterated the MILF’s strong commitment to help promote peace and unity in their communities.

Abas said that the collaborative efforts between government agencies, healthcare professionals, and local communities are helping to significantly improve the provision of health services to residents in the six-acknowledged MIF camps and neighboring areas.

Also present during the activity where Minister Rizaldy Piang of the Ministry of Health- BARMM; Lt. Gen. Danilo Pamonag, co-chair of GPH-JTFCT OPAPRU; Director Ishmael Bahjin of the SDU-TFDCC; OPAPRU Director Farrah Grace Naparan, Head, Secretariat of the GPIP-MILF Peace Process; MP Dr. Kadil Jojo Sinolinding; IPHO Maguimdanao Dr. Bagundaali; and Sanitarium Hospital Chief Dr. Ebrahim Pangato Jr. and Dr. Norodin Salam. ###

By |2024-02-22T15:48:49+08:00February 20th, 2024|MILF, News|0 Comments

GPH-MILF peace panels refute alleged anomaly on decommissioning process; assures integrity of the Bangsamoro peace process

PASIG CITY, 10 February 2024 — In a demonstration of unwavering trust and solidarity to the Bangsamoro peace process, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panels released on Saturday a joint statement describing as “baseless” the accusations that there is alleged corruption involved in the decommissioning process of former MILF combatants.

The joint statement was issued following the GPH-MILF’s first panel meeting this year, both parties ensured “the integrity of the peace process.”

(more…)

By |2024-02-11T23:50:41+08:00February 11th, 2024|MILF, News|0 Comments

PBBM: Stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao, a stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines

PASAY CITY – In pursuit of the Filipino people’s collective vision of achieving genuine and long-lasting peace, unity, reconciliation, and prosperity, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. underscored that a robust Bangsamoro region is an integral part of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”

“Bagong Pilipinas is incomplete without a Bagong Bangsamoro rising along and within it,” the President said during the 17th National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) meeting on Thursday, January 8. (more…)

By |2024-02-09T17:28:02+08:00February 9th, 2024|MILF, MNLF, News|0 Comments

Echoes of the past: A journey of resilience, hope and empowerment through education

Rhejam’s life journey is a tapestry of colors woven with the threads of sacrifice, patience and resilience.

Her story, which unfolded in the vibrant landscape of Maguindanao province, reflects the transformative power of education and the unwavering spirit to shape a brighter tomorrow for herself and her family.

“My parents were members of this organization. They started at a young age. They committed themselves to their fight for freedom back then. They got married and lived a couple of months only and went back to continue their services at the MILF camps,” Rhejam related in a public testimony, as the national government and (Mindanao State University) MSU-Maguindanao inked a Memorandum of Agreement to implement peacebuilding initiatives under a program on the transformation of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps. (more…)

By |2024-02-07T09:34:10+08:00February 7th, 2024|MILF, News|0 Comments

Amnesty, final step in the transformation journey of former revolutionaries

PASAY CITY – Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., underscored on Tuesday, February 6, the importance of granting amnesty to members of revolutionary groups who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs.

“Amnesty does not only extinguish criminal liability for the acts committed by these former rebels. It creates a path toward their full transformation and enables them to return to mainstream society,” Galvez said during a hearing called for by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace Unification and Reconciliation. (more…)

By |2024-02-07T05:07:22+08:00February 7th, 2024|CBA-CPLA, CPP-NPA-NDF, MILF, MNLF, NAC, News, RPM-P/RPA/ABB|0 Comments

Galvez: No corruption in MILF decommissioning process

PASAY CITY – Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. vehemently denied on Tuesday, February 6, that there is corruption involved in the decommissioning process of Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) combatants.

This developed as Galvez reported on the status of implementation of the MILF decommissioning process during a hearing called for by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace Unification and Reconciliation.

“Don’t tell us we’re corrupt,” the peace adviser told Senator Raffy Tulfo during the hearing, which aimed to shed light on why there has been a delay in the implementation of the decommissioning process.

“We take serious offense in what Senator Tulfo said because there is absolutely no truth to that malicious, baseless allegation. To accuse us of such is an affront not only against our agency but also to the decommissioned combatants as well,” he said at the sidelines of the hearing. (more…)

By |2024-02-06T18:23:49+08:00February 6th, 2024|CBA-CPLA, CPP-NPA-NDF, MILF, MNLF, NAC, News, RPM-P/RPA/ABB|0 Comments

Japan gov’t, World Food Programme team up to boost education, food security in the BARMM

PASAY CITY, 31 January 2024 – In a bid to boost food security and address malnutrition in the Bangsamoro, the Government of Japan and World Food Programme (WFP) officially launched the “Farm-to-School Meals in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)” project here on Tuesday, January 30.

The joint project worth USD 5 million will integrate 5,000 small-hold farmers to home-grown school feeding projects to enhance the nutrition status of 10,000 school children for the next two years. (more…)

By |2024-02-01T08:42:48+08:00February 1st, 2024|MILF, MNLF, News|0 Comments
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