MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE—The national government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), officially unveiled on Tuesday, Jan. 23 the master development plan for the transformation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Camp Abubakar.
The unveiling took place inside the MILF’s former training camp at Barangay Tugaig in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte witnessed by top officials from the MILF and the Bangsamoro Government.
The camp now serves as the headquarters of the 1st Marine Brigade.
As explained by OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez, the master development plan is a blueprint that targets the socio-economic deficiencies in the camp which aims to benefit former MILF combatants residing in the 32,000-hectare settlement site.
Emphasizing that the document embodies the principle and spirit of unity, Galvez said that it will serve as a bridge to heal the wounds of the past and will create a better future for the next generation.
“This program is not only for ourselves but also for our families and our children, and to our next generation,” Galvez’s words addressed to the combatants.
He further said that in the end, the true measure of success will be the positive transformation that enhances the lives of the Bangsamoro people, bringing more development and prosperity in the future.
Based on the official document presented to the public, the master development plan covers various initiatives that would enhance local industries, food security and agricultural productivity, housing projects, social welfare services, human resources development, and infrastructure development, among others.
During the unveiling and ceremonial signing of the document, the National Housing Authority (NHA) Region 9 shared the housing design for the construction of 234 housing units of which 100 units will be financed by the Bangsamoro Government.
The transformation initiatives for six identified camps (Abubakar-as-Siddique, Omar, Rajamuda, Badre, Bushra, and Bilal) of MILF align with Executive Order No. 79 also known as Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the MILF and the national government.
Notable officials from the Bangsamoro Government attended the said program including members of the parliament Baintan Ampatuan, Ali Salik, and Laisa Alamia. Governor Abdulrauf Macacua of Maguindao del Norte and Director General Mohajirin Ali of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, along with other officials, were also present. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO)
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