LANAO DEL NORTE, Aug 17 – In its continuous efforts in attaining lasting peace and meaningful development in the province, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Lanao del Norte, through Provincial Director Bruce Augusto Colao, orchestrated convergence of key peace and development actors to materialize the goal of Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) Resolution No. 4, which aims to harmonize the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Community Development Plan with the plans of MILF influenced and conflict-affected local government units.

     The activity dubbed as “Community Development Planning (CTP)-BDP Integrated Planning Workshop” for the MILF’s 127th Base Command of core Camp Bilal was made possible in partnership with Pakigdait, Inc.

     Director Colao emphasized the symbolism of the efforts being done, the oneness and unity of the aspiration for lasting peace and meaningful development in the communities of the MILF and them being joining hands with the government towards achieving this end.

     The DILG, as Head Secretariat of the PPOC, leads the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the plans harmonization efforts in close coordination with the Joint Task Force on MILF Camp Transformation as a component of the Normalization Process under the Comprehensive Agreement in the Bangsamoro (CAB) entered into by the Government of the Philippines and the MILF.

     The Pakigdait, Inc. led the workshop, and affirmed its objective to harmonize and integrate the MILF Base Command Community Development Plan with that of the local government development plans to help bridge the goals of the Normalization Process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on MILF Camp Transformation with the local government structures towards sustaining the gains of the peace process, lasting peace, development and good governance. The efforts also is strategically aimed engaging the communities in conflict-affected areas to prevent and counter violent extremism.

     The said activity was graced by MILF 127th Base Command of Camp Bilal Bin Rabbah with Mayor of Munai Racma Dansal-Andamama, Col. Rey Alemania, Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade, LtCol Rommel Pereña, Commander of the 4th Mechanized Batallion, Deputy Minister Engr. Abdul Maomit Mutia Tomawis of the Ministry of Public Works and Highways of BARMM, Mustabbah Macapaar of the Joint GRP-MILF Monitoring Team, Ayobkhan Usman of the Camp Transformation Joint Task Force, MILF Commander Aleem Ansary Murad and other MILF leaders, Executive Director of Pakigdait, Inc. Abelardo Moya and Board of Director Mussa Sangguila, PLtCol Jeovanni Cabusas of the PNP Provincial Command, and Hadzer Birowa, Operations Specialist of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD).

     The convergence was held on August 17, 2021 at Bacawayan, Munai, Lanao del Norte. (DILG 10/[Lanao del Norte]/[LGOO II/Cyd Charisse C. Pangan])(Revised copy/DILG-10/Jia Artajo)