In support of the Annex on Normalization in the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Camps program celebrated the graduation of 70 Alternative Learning System (ALS) students and the turnover of 120 heads of cattle and ten water tap stands for 1,020 beneficiaries of Barangay Tugaig, Barira, Maguindanao in Camp Abubakar on January 17, 2017.

Formed in partnership with the Philippine Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Mindanao Trust Fund, the program provides infrastructure, livelihood and Alternative Learning System (ALS) assistance to 31 conflict-affected communities in the Six Acknowledged MILF Camps. The Community and Family Services International (CFSI) serves as the implementing agency.

Starting in January 2016, about 68,527 beneficiaries—including widows and the out-of-school youth—have benefited from 62 community-driven projects. These have helped improve livelihood and access to basic services, strengthened social unity among communities and reinforced trust in the Philippine Government, MILF and international community’s support of the Bangsamoro peace process through their continued socioeconomic assistance in poverty-stricken and conflict-affected areas across Mindanao.

Moreover, 775 beneficiaries and 30 MILF representatives were trained to lead in project planning and implementation to ensure the sustainability of income-generating projects that range from solar dyers and warehouses, water systems and cattle raising.

MTF donors from the European Union, Sweden, Australia, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and the World Bank—who also serves as the facility secretariat—funded the PhP 90 million Camps program. 

Chair of the GPH Implementing Panel for the Bangsamoro Irene Santiago and Chair of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel Mohagher Iqbal attended the ceremony. Other dignitaries present were OPAPP Undersecretary Nabil Tan, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Ma. Cecilia D. Papa, Co-Chair of the MILF Project Board Dr. Abhoud Lingga and MTF Secretariat representative Matthew Stephens of the World Bank.