Philippines Development Forum on Bangsamoro in Davao City IOM Philippines supports government planning for Bangsamoro areas IOM Philippines participated in the Philippines Development Forum, held on th th the 5 and 6 of November in Davao City, Mindanao. This year the Forum focused on issues of livelihood and economy, environment and natural resources, infrastructure and social services in and around the proposed Bangsamoro areas of Mindanao. In particular the forum saw the introduction and presentation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP), which is the development “road map” for the Moro-Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). IOM has helped in the preparation of the BDP by providing staff, technical advice, and trainings to the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA). IOM’s support is contributing to the existing work by the World Bank and JICA as well as UN and civil society agencies. The forum was attended by the various government representatives, MILF, BDA, and development representatives. President Benigno Aquino III attended the second day of the forum and mentioned in his speech “Our work to ensure the success of the peace process runs parallel with our ongoing efforts to eliminate systems that are prone to abuse, and to uplift our countrymen in the region, even before the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed.”
President Benigno Aquino III giving a speech at the Philippines Development Forum ( Picture by GMA network news) © IOM 2014
First day plenary session with International and national representatives © IOM 2014
During the plenary session on day one, Marco Boasso IOM Philippines Chief of Mission, emphasized the importance of quickly supporting the transition efforts in Bangsamoro areas. To this end, IOM has been working with key stakeholder and has signed cooperation agreements with the BDA, the Bangsamoro Transition Committee and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as well reaching out to a large network of local NGOs and civil society organizations. It also maintains sub-offices in Cotabato and Zamboanga supporting the government and the affected communities. IOM set out its plan to support the Bangsamoro Peace Process in a forum with partners in September. The Comprehensive Revitalization Initiative for Bangsamoro (CRIB) hopes to support five key sectors: Socio-economic integration and reintegration, health and psychosocial support, transitional justice and humanitarian assistance. For more information on IOM’s planned programmes for the Bangsamoro areas, please visit: http://www.iom.int/files/live/sites/iom/files/Country/docs/IOM_Philippines_ CRIB2014.pdf
Map of Davao © IOM 2014
Muslim Woman in makeshift shelter- Mindanao © IOM 2014
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Issued 07 November 2014