Through the generous support from the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines is providing food security and livelihood assistance to conflict-affected, marginalized, and underserved Bangsamoro communities within and outside the core territory of the Bangsamoro region, under its project, entitled “Enhancing Food Security and Livelihood in Bangsamoro.” This endeavor, focused on economic empowerment, represents the continuation of the enduring collaboration between Japan and UNDP Philippines in advancing peacebuilding and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro.

Among the communities supported by the Japan-UNDP project, is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) community in the barangays of Sipakit and Panabutan in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte. The MILF community, which forms part of the satellite camp to the 113^th MILF Base Command, previously reached out to UNDP Philippines and expressed their interest to start an oil palm plantation, a profitable venture within the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Their interest in participating in this economic activity stemmed from a prior study commissioned by UNDP Philippines, which explored potential agri-fisheries value chain initiatives aligning with the resources and existing industries in the areas of some key base commands of the MILF.

In recent months, however, tensions between the MILF community and the marine battalion in the area grew due to a previous firefight which resulted in damages to the local mosque. 

To support the community’s aspirations and ensure the safe implementation of the livelihood interventions in the area, UNDP Philippines, in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, facilitated a coordination meeting last October 2023. The meeting involved the municipal local government, security forces in the area, and key representatives from the Western Mindanao Front of the MILF, together with its 113th Base Command and its satellite camp in Barangays Sipakit and Panabutan. The meeting resulted in a productive discussion and a joint site visit to the MILF community, fostering strengthened cooperation among the involved parties. In a gesture of goodwill towards community reconciliation, the local government committed to shoulder the costs of repairing the damaged mosque. The repair was later done through ‘bayanihan’, under the leadership of the 102nd Brigade (PA), the Philippine National Police, the local government unit of Sirawai, the Sirawai Plywood and Lumber Corporation (SPLC), members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces / Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the community members.