Representatives from different civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and humanitarian agencies called for the cessation of armed hostilities in the conflict-affected areas in Maguindanao during the Bangsamoro Peace and Security Pre-Summit on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Cotabato City.
MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie stressed that it is important to identify more coherent strategies and areas for cooperation between the Bangsamoro Government and other development partners towards durable solutions to displacements and sustainable development.
The participants had the privilege to listen to the lived realities of IDP women and youth representatives from Datu Saud Ampatuan, Mamasapanao, Talitay, and South Upi.
Samsudin Tondok, an IDP youth leader from Mamasapano, and Milan Sayudin, one of the IDP women leaders from Datu Saudi Ampatuan, shared their difficulties from the recurring displacements in their communities inside the SPMS box.
Norhamin Kanakan, an IDP youth volunteer in one of the evacuation centers in Talitay, shared his experience of being caught in the middle of the feuding clans (rido) in their town.
Tessie Ambol from Brgy. Kuya in South Upi explained that the Tedurays have been in and out of evacuation centers since the conflict first erupted in Barangay Kuya in 2017.
The CSO representatives proposed strategies and areas for cooperation on peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and development interventions.
Addressing life-saving needs, ensuring investments addressing the systemic causes of conflict and vulnerability, and supporting the peace initiatives are essential for development to be sustainable.
Participants included representatives from the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), Bantay Ceasefire, Tiyakap Kalilintad, United Youth of the Philippines-Women (Unyphil-Women), Kadtuntaya Foundation, Inc. (KFI), Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS), Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Assistance and Cooperation for Resilience and Development Inc. (ACCORD), Teduray-Lambangian Women’s Organization, Inc. (TLWOI) Confederated Descendants of Rajah Mamalu, Inc. (CDORM).
There were also representatives from international NGOs – Action Against Hunger (AAH), Community and Family Services, Inc., Geneva Call, Islamic Relief, Non-Violent Peace Force (NP), Oxfam, Plan International, Relief International, The Asia Foundation (TAF), and VSO.
There were also representatives from the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and other United Nations offices working in the Bangsamoro Region, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Food Programme.
The activity was organized by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) in preparation for the Bangsamoro Peace and Security Summit for Sustainable Local Development on Monday, May 24, 2021.
Source: Ministry of Social Services and Development
