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SERD-CAAM Project
The Government of Japan, through its Japan-Bangsamoro
Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development
Project (J-BIRD) started in 2007. Through the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA), GOJ is
providing grant aid to the Socio-Economic
Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected
Areas in Mindanao (SERD-CAAM) Project.
The objective of the Study is to formulate the
socio-economic development plan for the
reconstruction and development of conflict affected
areas, with the end in view of promoting the
consolidation of peace in Mindanao.
The output of the Study is expected to lead to
further assistance from Japan, as well as for the
utilization by GRP, the Bangsamoro Development
Agency and other donors.
The Study shall cover conflict affected areas in
Regions IX, X, XI, XII and ARMM. The scope of the
study would involve:
a) Assessment of the present conditions
b) In-depth Needs Analysis of selected Barangays
c) Implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs)
d) Formulation of the Socio-Economic Development
Plan (SEDP).
The Study commenced in February 2007 and scheduled
to be completed by February 2009.
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ACTION FOR CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION (ACT) FOR PEACE
PROGRAMME
I. Background
The United Nations system in the Philippines has
been involved in peace efforts, particularly in
support of the GRP-MNLF FPA. The first two phases of
the GOP-UN Multi-Donor Programme (GOP-UN MDP), which
lasted from 1996 to 2001, assessed the needs of
selected MNLF communities and provided assistance in
the form of basic services, livelihood and
enterprise development, confidence and governance
leadership training. The third phase of the GOP-UN
MDP, made possible through funding support from the
governments of Australia, New Zealand and Spain,
commenced in 2001 and concluded in June 2004.
GOP-UN MDP3 accomplishments include, among others:
· Reduction of violent conflict in the areas of
implementation;
· Community empowerment and personal transformation,
including a shift in mindsets from a combat/defense
orientation to peace and development advocacy among
former combatants and their communities;
· Contribution to barangay (village-level)
development, through the formulation of barangay
development plans, thus bridging the Programme’s
Peace and Development
Communities (PDCs) to
legitimate institutions of governance, where they
have also contributed to broader peace and
development goals and processes;
· Enhanced skills and capabilities of the community
in the implementation and management of development
projects; and,
· Increased trust and confidence in Government.
However, the experience of peace-oriented
initiatives in Southern Philippines, the GOP-UN MDP3
included, point to major gaps in peacebuilding. With
respect to the implementation of the GRP-MNLF FPA,
socio-economic support to MNLF members and
communities is still perceived to be inadequate. For
many community level stakeholders, the full and
successful implementation of the FPA is key to the
continuation of peacebuilding efforts in Southern
Philippines. Part 3-Chapter 3 (National Harmony: The
Peace Process) of the 2004-2010 Medium-Term
Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), which calls for
the full implementation of existing final peace
agreements, particularly the GRP-MNLF Peace
Agreement of 1996, acknowledges this need.
There is a need for a set of complementary actions
that will, in the immediate term, sustain the
relative peace and stability that has resulted from
the GRP-MNLF FPA. It is more critical over the long
term to be able to build and sustain capacities and
constituencies for peace across the larger base of
actors, to include local government units and civil
society.
It is recognized that peacebuilding activities are
not yet mainstreamed with LGUs (barangay, municipal
and provincial) and with government agencies. LGUs
play a key role in delivering services that respond
to the poverty situation and in dealing with
conflicts and its consequences. The 2004-2010 MTPDP
also recognizes that LGUs can undertake
complementary measures such as peacekeeping
initiatives to minimize the level of violence
arising from armed conflicts.
These gaps in peacebuilding and the continuing
destructive conflicts underscore the need for more
effective interventions for peacebuilding and
conflict transformation in Southern Philippines. The
foregoing analysis but highlights the consistent
clamor, expectation, and recommendation of
stakeholders for ACT for Peace as the successor
programme to the GOP-UN MDP3.
II. Development Objectives
The Programme aims to:
· Sustain transformation of peace and development
communities (PDCs) and other conflict-affected and
conflict-vulnerable areas; as well as to harness
community
efforts to develop and advance their own
initiatives for peace and human security;
· Strengthen and institutionalize peace-building and
conflict transformation (prevention, management and
resolution) capacities of participants and
institutions; and,
· Strengthen critical partnerships towards
sustaining an environment of trust, confidence and
collaboration for peace and development
III. Components
To achieve the objectives, the Programme is
implementing five components. These are Component 1
(Strengthening Social Capital for Peacebuilding);
Component 2 (Promoting Human Security through
Improved Access to Basic Services); Component 3
(Promoting Human Security through Community Economic
Development); Component 4 (Building Stakeholders’
Capacity for Conflict Transformation); and,
Component 5 (Promoting a Culture of Peace towards
Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation).
IV. Accomplishments
1. PDC Development and Transformation
· Continued peace-based social preparation and
planning processes in 163 existing and 83 new PDCs.
· Developed appropriate documents (e.g. Barangay
Governance Manual, GAD, Islamic Leadership and
Governance Module) supporting the strengthening of
local
governance.
Improved access to basic services through
implementation of the following projects (39 Barangay Health Stations, 59 Botica ng Barangay, 59
potable
water systems).
· Commenced with the Scholarship Program on Step
Ladder Curriculum for Health Workers in partnership
with UP-School for Health Sciences.
· Delivered immunization services to at least 90
percent of children and women in selected PDCs.
· Provided assistance and initiated activities to
provide the immediate basic needs of communities
affected by armed conflicts in Cotabato, Maguindanao,
Sulu and
Surigao del Sur.
· Supported community-led initiatives to increase
capacities in disaster management and preparedness.
· Increased livelihood opportunities through various
farm and non-farm enterprises and economic
development projects intending to benefit 14,709
households at
P32.415 million.
2. Enhancing an Enabling Environment for
Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation
· Supported continued capacity enhancement of Peace
and Development Advocates (PDA) Leagues/Alliances,
MNLF members, LGUs and academe to be more
effective
in peacebuilding and improving their local peace
capacities through various trainings, workshop and
other learning exercises.
· Supported the following Peace Networks organized
as a mechanism for cooperation among CSOs,
peacebuilding practitioners and organizations to
promote
cooperative responses, as well as, to
provide a venue for the regular exchange of
experiences and learning in peacebuilding.
· Continued initiatives to strengthen MNLF
participation in the peace and development process.
· Supported continuing capacity strengthening of 17
Peace and Development Provincial / Municipal TWGs.
· Partnered with OPAPP, DEPED and UNDP-Conflict
Prevention and Peacebuilding Programme on the
development of Human Security Index for Mindanao.
· Pursued efforts at mainstreaming peace in the
elementary, secondary, tertiary education through
School of Peace projects.
· In partnership with the Knowledge Channel
Foundation, the Programme has developed three video
peace modules to be aired on the Knowledge Channel
starting
2008 as a contribution to peace education.
V. Issues and Concerns
· Remind that regular coordination with the LGUs
must be exercised at all times. This shall ensure
support from LCEs for the various initiatives for
the PDCs. This
may also be the key to mainstream the PDC activities at the LGU development process. We
also recommend that the PDALs/PDAs acquire
accreditation from the
Municipal/City/Provincial
Development Councils. In the long term,
sustainability of peace and development endeavors
could be guaranteed after Act for Peace
phases out
in 2010.
· Adherence to the NEDA policy on the utilization of
funds for ODA projects with the following
proportions: Direct Services – at least 45 percent;
Technical Assistance – not to exceed 45 percent;
Administrative Cost – 10 percent should be
reiterated.
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