by Bonita Ermac, MB
MARAWI CITY — The Bangsamoro government, European Union in the Philippines and UNICEF launched a project which will boost community resilience and services for the children in conflict-affected municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The launching was held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here on Thursday, Jan. 18.
Dubbed as ‘Building Community Resilience and Delivery of Essential Services for Post Conflict Recovery in Lanao del Sur/Marawi City,’ the project aims to strengthen community resilience, increase coverage of essential services, and promote child-friendly family and community behaviors in 44 municipalities in the province of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon.
The project costs four million euros or P245 million which will fund health, education, child protection and disaster risk reduction programs targeting 680,000 children, 200,000 parents and 120,000 internally displaced persons affected by the Marawi conflict in May 2017.
It will be implemented in three years’ time.
Project outcomes include maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, water and sanitation services; early childhood education and basic education services, child protection/social welfare systems, and child-friendly and municipal planning and investment for children’s rights and reduced disaster risks.
“Our journey to development and peace lives on in every Bangsamoro youth who carries our dreams into the future,” explained Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
Thus, relenting support of our partners enables us to shape a Bangsamoro that nurtures the health and well-being of each and every child, said Ibrahim.
UNICEF Philippines representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov stated that sustainable development, peace and security will not be achieved until every child has their rights fulfilled, respected and protected.
“Children have a right to just be children and play, learn and spend time with family and friends. Safeguarding the next generation from the effects of armed conflict is our collective responsibility,” said Dendevnorov.
“This project we are launching today supports the BARMM’s regional and local authorities’ capacity to plan and deliver services, from health and sanitation, to education and social protection,” said European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron.
“It will contribute to the fulfillment of basic human rights of the populations benefitting from this project,” added Veron.
“The EU is very proud to have the opportunity to help fund this effort and partner up with the Bangsamoro authorities and with UNICEF, as part of our longstanding commitment to the wellbeing of children, and of course to peace and development in the BARMM,” the EU ambassador stressed.
The people of Lanao del Sur through their Provincial Governor Mamintal ‘Bombit’ A. Adiong expressed gratitude for all the services poured into this province, saying this would benefit not only the current generation but also of the future.
“As we strive for a healthier, more secure, socially protected, child-friendly and protected Lanao Province and, ultimately, the Bangsamoro region, they committed their support to the Bangsamoro government’s Mindanao Peace and Development Program and its peace interventions,” said Adiong.
Citing that the province and the entire Bangsamoro region are at the crossroads of recovery and normalization both from the conflict and the pandemic, the Governor said the newly launched project is a leap toward achieving sustainable peace in Mindanao which would consequently improve the social cohesion and resiliency of the communities within.
Adiong also said the projected project outcomes are seen as a compliment to the provincial government’s previous and future endeavors also aiming to extend unwavering support to children, women and all people in the province.
Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra said it made him happy and proud that the EU and UNICEF have teamed up with the provincial and city governments.
He also expressed his dedication to continue supporting the international organizations’ programs as they all share the same goal which is to have better and more resilient communities through the effective delivery of much-needed services to the people.
Gandamra said he is fervently hoping that this program will bring the help that the people need to become not just resilient members of the society but also become peace and change-makers that his land needs.
