DILG 10-LANAO DEL NORTE INITIATES PEACE, DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE CONVERSATION WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PRIVATE SECTORS

LANAO DEL NORTE, Feb 17 – Aimed towards meaningful and sustainable peace and development in the Province, the DILG Lanao del Norte headed by PD Bruce Augusto Colao CESO V orchestrated a multi-stakeholder convergence dubbed the Peace, Development and Governance Conversations last February 17, 2021 at Tangcal, Lanao del Norte which was hosted by the municipal government of that municipality.

The activity was participated by 2nd Congressional District Representative Abdullah Dimakuta Dimaporo, municipal and barangay officials including LGU functionaries, leaders from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)’s 125th Base Command, leaders from the Ulama and faith-based organizations and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) , the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and representatives from Pakigdait, Inc., a partner CSO in peace-building efforts in Lanao del Norte.

The highlights of the conversations include discussions on the issues and concerns affecting basic services in the communities and security which prompted 18 Punong Barangays affirming in an impromptu oath taking in front of Cong. Abdullah Dimakuta Dimaporo and Mayor Fatima M. Tomawis who in gist committed themselves to deny entry and suppress any attempt or activity from extremist groups in the communities in support of the program of government of maintaining peace and order and sustainable development.

PD Colao gave the rationale of the activity emphasizing the need for continuous engagements among key national and sub-national actors on the ground to foster better understanding and thereby sustain the gains of the peace process, manifest government efforts from the national and local governments in bringing development especially to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and to prevent and counter violent extremism taking root in these communities. He also emphasized the importance of local government planning and alignment of priorities.

Congressman Dimaporo gave his passionate counsel to local officials and community leaders to give support to government efforts to sustain peace and bring development to the communities and for them to provide the basic services to their people. He also explained the thrusts of the political leadership of Lanao del Norte as embodied in the priorities then laid down in Vision 2020 and in the recently adopted Vision 2040 which is actually aligned with that of the National Government’s.

On the other hand, Cluster Head Mary Jean Y. Quibranza led the Governance Conversations on national government’s priorities and DILG PPAs with local officials and department heads.

The MILF gave their commitment of support followed by the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police and the Ulama (religious leaders).

An open Forum was also conducted which drew expressions of issues and concerns and conversations on resolutions, agreements and explanations such as but not limited to touching base on the accountability of LGUs to provide basic services like health services and the projected increased capacity of LGUs to respond to these governance requirements with the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling starting in 2022. (DILG 10/Lanao del Norte /AdAsst. II Justine Mae M. Acierto)