Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and MTF representatives formally turned over a rice mill, solar dryer and warehouse to 1,704 Bangsamoro ADVANCE beneficiaries in Barangay Cabpangi, Pigcawayan, Cotabato on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Mr. Louis Dey, Acting Head of Development Cooperation Section in the Philippines and Mr. Koen Duchateau, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development in the European Commission in Brussels led the MTF delegation.  The European Union is one of the facility's seven international donors. It is the largest contributor, having provided PhP 1.17 billion (USD 22 million) since 2006. 

Bangsamoro ADVANCE was formed in partnership with the Philippine Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the MTF to support the Bangsamoro peace process. The program provides infrastructure and livelihood projects worth PhP 2 million in each of the 49 conflict-affected communities in areas of the 25 MILF base camps. The Bangsamoro Development Agency serves as the main implementing partner of the program.

Starting in January 2016, over 116,000 beneficiaries have benefited from 79 community-driven projects. These have helped improve livelihood and access to basic services; built the communities’ capacity in project planning, implementation and management; and strengthened social unity among communities. 

Included in the February 19th  delegation were MILF Peace Implementation Panel Member, Professor Abhoud Lingga, MTF Secretariat Task Manager Matthew Stephens, World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist Pia Peeters, BDA Executive Director Mohammad Yacob, EU Program Officer Emily Mercado, CFSI Deputy Director for Philippine Program Noraida Abdullah Karim and Juan Pita Rodrigañez, General Coordinator of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.