Strong GPH-MILF partnership evident in Sajahatra Bangsamoro

The strong partnership between the government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has become more evident as both sides work together in the process of identifying beneficiaries and their immediate needs that will be addressed by the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said.

“I am so proud of the Filipinos. I'm so proud of the people from both sides of the table. The people who are firing guns at each other are now sitting together in one table and talking on how to make this work. That is the victory already,” he said during a press conference on Thursday in Cotabato City.

Sajahatra Bangsamoro is President Benigno Aquino III’s concrete, socio economic initiative aimed to uplift the health, education and livelihood conditions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities. The program is set to be launched formally on February 11, Monday, at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) compound in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

The MILF has been collaborating with the government in naming the target beneficiaries of the services to be delivered by government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The cabinet secretary said that both sides are trying to enhance their relationship. “It's a process of getting to know each other. And so far it's been wonderful. They (MILF) also want to test if this will work. They also want to test how sincere we are.”

Last October 2012, both parties signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), signifying their strong commitment to work together in forging a comprehensive agreement to end the decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao.

The FAB indicated that “the Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons, and poverty-stricken communities.”

“Naging magkaibigan tayo, nagkamayan tayo (We became friends, we shook hands). We don’t want to end there na nagkamayan tayo (when we shook hands). We want to know each other better. We want to build trust although it’s not gonna be easy,” Almendras stated.

In an interview with Undersecretary Lesley Cordero from the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, she said that “both sides are very cooperative.”

“Our MILF counterparts are very open, telling us what are the needs of the communities. The beginning of our partnership is good. We sat for many hours to specify one by one the government projects that are needed to address the livelihood, education and health needs of the communities,” she said.

Mike Pasigan, MILF spokesperson for Sajahatra Bangsamoro, in a separate interview, said that the program is “proof of the strong relationship being built by the government and the MILF towards real and lasting peace and development for the envisioned Bangsamoro region.”

“This is a big confidence-building measure in the peace process. The good relationship between the two parties, if it continues, will definitely lead to lasting peace in which the whole country will benefit,” said Pasigan.


Strong inter-agency collaboration

Almendras underlined the strong inter-agency collaboration that is at work in Sajahatra Bangsamoro.

“I am happy to see government agencies pulling their weight, doing everything that they can. They are very eager and excited,” he stated.

On the same note, Cordero said government agencies are working really hard to deliver what is needed by the target communities. “They go out of their way to make sure that the list of requirements, the documents required to be able to process the services will be submitted immediately. It’s not business as usual because government agencies are really researching what kind of services are appropriate to the communities.”


For the entire country

Almendras pointed out that Sajahatra Bangsamoro will also benefit the entire country.

“Kung tama ang pag-implement natin ng programa na ito, hindi lamang ang mga areas na ito ang makikinabang (If we implement this program properly, the (target) areas will not be the only ones to benefit). This will not only benefit the region, it will benefit the whole of Mindanao...even the whole country will benefit,” he stated.

“There's even a time dimension, it will not only benefit the people of today but also the generation that will come after today,” Almendras added.

Cordero also said that all Filipinos will gain from the program. “This is the step towards the right direction in our initiative to reach out and reach for peace,” she said.

“Hindi lang po ito para sa Bangsamoro, hindi lang po ito para sa MILF, kung hindi para ito sa future ng bawat Filipino. Yung mga anak natin, anak ng mga anak natin – matitikman nila yung lasting at sustainable peace. Hindi lang po ito yung ngayon lang or yung stop-gap measure kasi yung government at yung MILF naghahanap talaga ng mga intiatives na tuloy-tuloy at ma-uplift yung bawat aspeto ng life dun sa Bangsamoro (This is not only for the Bangsamoro people, this is not only for the MILF, but for the future of every Filipino. Our children, our children’s children – they will experience lasting and sustainable peace. This is not only temporary or a stop gap measure because the government and the MILF are really searching for initiatives to continually uplift every aspect of life of the Bangsamoro people).” #

Gov't to launch socio-economic program for Bangsamoro communities

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 11 -- The government is set today to roll-out a socio-economic initiative dubbed “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” aimed to uplift the health, education and livelihood conditions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities, according to Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.

“Sajahatra Bangsamoro, an Arabic-Melayu-Bahasa derivative which means ‘Peace Bangsamoro,’ is the President’s concrete peace initiative and assistance for MILF communities,” he said.

“The program signifies the partnership of the government (GPH) and the MILF in working towards peace and development of Bangsamoro communities as well as the entire country,” he added.

The national government will take the lead in the ceremonial launch of the program to be held at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute compound in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

Present during the launch are MILF Chair Murad Ebrahim, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, the GPH peace panel led by Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the MILF Peace Panel led by its Chair Mohagher Iqbal, and representatives of involved government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Other officers of the MILF are likewise expected to attend. Also invited is Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Ab' Ghafar Tengku bin Mohammed and Malaysian head of secretariat Che Khasna.

“Sajahatra Bangsamoro will focus on health, education, and livelihood services that will be done through an inter-agency mechanism,” Almendras emphasized.

He added that these will include provision of health insurance by PhilHealth; upgrading of community-based health services by DOH; provision of college scholarships and technical-vocational training by CHED and TESDA, respectively; educational assistance to madaris (Islamic schools) and private schools by DepEd; needs assessment of selected Bangsamoro communities; Cash for Work Program through DSWD, among others.

A ceremonial turnover of services to identified beneficiaries and medical mission will highlight the launch.

“The medical mission will be open not only to MILF-identified communities, but to their neighboring communities as well. Indigenous peoples and Christians are encouraged to avail of the free health services.”

The Office of the President through the Office of the Cabinet Secretary will oversee the implementation of Sajahatra Bangsamoro program.

“An interagency technical working group has been convened by the Office of the
Cabinet Secretary and has committed to the implementation of Sajahatra Bangsamoro for a duration of one year,” Almendras added.

After the launch, a caravan will visit selected Bangsamoro communities to provide the services to the identified beneficiaries.

GPH-MILF partnership
In line with President Aquino’s instructions to provide immediate socioeconomic
interventions for the MILF communities, Almendras said that “Sajahatra Bangsamoro will be rolled-out in partnership with the MILF leadership in the spirit of the FAB (Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro).”

The FAB indicated that “the Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons, and poverty-stricken communities.”

Almendras related that Sajahatra Bangsamoro activities will be jointly undertaken with the MILF.

According to Mike Pasigan, MILF spokesperson for the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal himself has affirmed the partnership of the parties in Sajahatra Bangsamoro.

Quoting Iqbal, Pasigan said that “both sides have been working together in identifying and designing the projects that will address the immediate needs of Bangsamoro communities.”

“The program will further strengthen the collaboration between the government and the MILF as we build on the gains of the peace process,” he continued. “We believe that Sajahatra Bangsamoro is a step towards long-term development that will benefit not only the Bangsamoro people but all Filipinos.”



Sajahatra Bangsamoro launch shows government's sincerity and seriousness in forging a 'just and lasting' peace in Mindanao, Malacanang says

The launch of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a socio-economic initiative aimed at uplifting the health, education and livelihood conditions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communitiese on Monday shows the sincerity and seriousness of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the government in “forging a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” a Palace official said on Sunday.

President Aquino will join representatives of the government and the MILF for the historic launch that will be held at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute compound in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

The ceremonial launch will include the distribution of health insurance by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth); upgrading of community-based health services by the Department of Health (DOH); college scholarships and technical-vocational training by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), respectively; educational assistance to madaris (Islamic schools) and private schools by the Department of Education, needs assessment of selected Bangsamoro communities; and Cash for Work Program, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others.

In an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte lauded both sides for working towards achieving the milestone.

 “Yes, what kind of message is the President sending? First, that we are serious about forging a just and lasting peace in Mindanao; and even way ahead of the signing, alam po natin that both panels are working on the annexes of the Framework Agreement,” Valte said.

The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, which was signed last October 2012, will pave the way for the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Under the agreement, the Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons and poverty-stricken communities.

 “Even before a peace agreement is signed, you will see that it’s about providing the social services to the MILF and to the Moros in Mindanao because of the Framework Agreement. It shows also the sincerity of both sides as a continuity to talk and to finalize the annexes in the Framework Agreement,” Valte said. PND (rck)



Gov't to launch socio-economic program for Bangsamoro communities

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 11 -- The government is set today to roll-out a socio-economic initiative dubbed “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” aimed to uplift the health, education and livelihood conditions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities, according to Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.

“Sajahatra Bangsamoro, an Arabic-Melayu-Bahasa derivative which means ‘Peace Bangsamoro,’ is the President’s concrete peace initiative and assistance for MILF communities,” he said.

“The program signifies the partnership of the government (GPH) and the MILF in working towards peace and development of Bangsamoro communities as well as the entire country,” he added.

The national government will take the lead in the ceremonial launch of the program to be held at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute compound in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

Present during the launch are MILF Chair Murad Ebrahim, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, the GPH peace panel led by Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the MILF Peace Panel led by its Chair Mohagher Iqbal, and representatives of involved government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Other officers of the MILF are likewise expected to attend. Also invited is Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Ab' Ghafar Tengku bin Mohammed and Malaysian head of secretariat Che Khasna.

“Sajahatra Bangsamoro will focus on health, education, and livelihood services that will be done through an inter-agency mechanism,” Almendras emphasized.

He added that these will include provision of health insurance by PhilHealth; upgrading of community-based health services by DOH; provision of college scholarships and technical-vocational training by CHED and TESDA, respectively; educational assistance to madaris (Islamic schools) and private schools by DepEd; needs assessment of selected Bangsamoro communities; Cash for Work Program through DSWD, among others.

A ceremonial turnover of services to identified beneficiaries and medical mission will highlight the launch.

“The medical mission will be open not only to MILF-identified communities, but to their neighboring communities as well. Indigenous peoples and Christians are encouraged to avail of the free health services.”

The Office of the President through the Office of the Cabinet Secretary will oversee the implementation of Sajahatra Bangsamoro program.

“An interagency technical working group has been convened by the Office of the
Cabinet Secretary and has committed to the implementation of Sajahatra Bangsamoro for a duration of one year,” Almendras added.

After the launch, a caravan will visit selected Bangsamoro communities to provide the services to the identified beneficiaries.

GPH-MILF partnership
In line with President Aquino’s instructions to provide immediate socioeconomic
interventions for the MILF communities, Almendras said that “Sajahatra Bangsamoro will be rolled-out in partnership with the MILF leadership in the spirit of the FAB (Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro).”

The FAB indicated that “the Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons, and poverty-stricken communities.”

Almendras related that Sajahatra Bangsamoro activities will be jointly undertaken with the MILF.

According to Mike Pasigan, MILF spokesperson for the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal himself has affirmed the partnership of the parties in Sajahatra Bangsamoro.

Quoting Iqbal, Pasigan said that “both sides have been working together in identifying and designing the projects that will address the immediate needs of Bangsamoro communities.”

“The program will further strengthen the collaboration between the government and the MILF as we build on the gains of the peace process,” he continued. “We believe that Sajahatra Bangsamoro is a step towards long-term development that will benefit not only the Bangsamoro people but all Filipinos.”