1 Chapter 17 2 Attaining Just and Lasting Peace 3 The creation of an environment for just and lasting peace is critical to the realization of the country’s long 4 term vision for a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay. Communities living in peaceful coexistence 5 with one another can harness the fruits of economic growth through improved access to social services and 6 financial opportunities, and increased over-all human development potential without fear or threat to their 7 lives and livelihoods. Conversely, development will likely diminish the likelihood for armed conflict, 8 especially if socioeconomic interventions are inclusive, participatory, and sustainable. 9 In the first three years of the Administration, significant strides have been achieved resulting in the 10 successful negotiation and implementation of peace agreements with internal armed conflict groups. 11 Noteworthy among these are: (a) the enactment and ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro 12 Organic Law 1 ; (b) completion process for the implementation of peace agreements with the 13 Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawang Pilipino/Revolutionary Proletariat Army/Alex Boncayao 14 Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) and the Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation 15 Army (CBA-CPLA); and (c) the issuance of Executive Order No. 702 institutitionalizing a whole-of-nation 16 approach which shifts the government’s approach to end local communist armed conflict. Complementary 17 to these peace agreements were interventions for the continuous protection and development of conflict- 18 affected and conflict-vulnerable communities and the implementation of other peacebuilding initiatives. 19 For the remainder of the Planning Period, government efforts shall focus on ensuring successful transition 20 to the new Bangsamoro Government, completing the normalization processes for the Bangsamoro region 21 and the areas covered by the peace agreements with the CBA-CPLA and the RPMP/RPA/ABB, as well as 22 institutionalizing and implementing localized peace engagements in ending local communist armed conflict. 23 Addressing the threat of terrorism and violent extremism through a holistic, coherent and coordinated 24 national framework will likewise be pursued through peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding activities 25 addressing the roots of radicalization and violent extremism. Enhancement and expansion of peace and 26 development policies and programs shall likewise be pursued through harmonization and convergence in 27 the delivery of services, strengthening community resilience, and peacebuilding to avoid further escalation 28 of violence and guarantee the non-recurrence of conflict. 29 1 An Act Providing for the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act 6734, Entitled "An Act Providing for An Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," As Amended by Republic Act No. 9054, Entitled "An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao." 2 Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of National Peace Framework CHAPTER 17: Attaining Just and Lasting Peace Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Midterm Update 1 30 Assessment and Challenges 31 32 The signing and subsequent ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) marked a historic 33 and significant milestone in the decades-long struggle for self-governance and peace in Mindanao. 34 The establishment of the new Bangsamoro Government through the enactment and ratification of Republic 35 Act (RA) 11054 (The Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao 36 [BARMM]) recognizes the” justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and all 37 indigenous cultural communities in the BARMM to secure their identity and posterity, allowing for 38 meaningful self-governance”. It marked the end of more than 40 years of armed hostilities and the 39 culmination of nearly 20 years of peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) 40 and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The territorial jurisdiction of the BARMM now included 41 the former ARMM provinces and in addition, Cotabato City and the 63 barangays from the six 42 municipalities3 of North Cotabato. 43 The BOL guarantees the new Bangsamoro Government fiscal autonomy through increased powers to create 44 its own sources of revenue and levy taxes, fees, and charges. In addition, the National Government will 45 provide additional budgetary support in the form of an annual block grant4, a Special Development Fund, 46 and subsidy for infrastructure development programs and projects. The increased financial resources and 47 investments are expected to spur economic growth, improve public financial management, and provide 48 seamless and effective delivery of public services to the people of Bangsamoro. 49 The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) was constituted to serve as the interim government of the 50 BARMM and to ensure the effective functioning of the regional government until the election of the 51 regional officials in 2022. The BTA is comprised of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro 52 National Liberation Front (MNLF), indigenous peoples, youth, women, traditional leaders, and settler 53 communities. The BTA will work towards building lasting peace and inclusive growth in the region. 54 Initial efforts were also undertaken in the setting up of the intergovernmental relations between national 55 government and the Bangsamoro government, a crucial mechanism during the transition period and in the 56 implementation of key provisions in the BOL. The Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IGFPB) has 57 already been organized between the BARMM Ministry of Budget, Finance and Management and the 58 national technical working group. The partnership seeks to assist the Bangsamoro government on how to 59 properly manage their funds and initially run its finance and budget departments to ensure long-term fiscal 60 stability. 61 3 Barangays from the Municipalities of Aleosan (Dunguan and Tapodoc); Carmen (Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoluan and Tubig); Kabacan (Buluan, Nanga-an, Ped-tad, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone and Tamped); Midsayap (Central Labas, Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kapinpilin, Kudangaran, Malingao, Mudseng, Nabalawag, Olandang, Sambulawan, Tugal and Tumbras); Pigcawayan (Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadingilan, Libungan Torreta, Lower Baguer, Lower Pangangkalan, Matilac, Patot, Simsiman and Upper Pangankalan) and Pikit (Bago-inged, Barungis, Batuwalan, Bualan, Buliok, Bulol, Fort Pikit, Gli-Gli, Gotokan, Kabalasan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, Nunguan, Panicupan, Pamalian, Rajahmuda, S. Balong and S, Balongis). 4 The annual block grant shall be equivalent to five percent (5%) of the net national internal revenue tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the net collection of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from the third fiscal year immediately preceding the current fiscal year CHAPTER 17: Attaining Just and Lasting Peace Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Midterm Update 2 62 There is a heightened and urgent need to implement the Normalization Program in the Bangsamoro. 63 Complementary to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government under the BOL is the implementation 64 of the normalization program. EO No. 79 (Implementing the Annex on Normalization under the 65 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro [CAB]), issued in April 2019, recognizes normalization as 66 a vital component of the Bangsamoro peace process. The EO provides for the creation of an Inter-Cabinet 67 Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) to prioritize, coordinate and mobilize government agencies 68 in the implementation of the following aspects of the normalization: (a) security; (b) socioeconomic 69 development program; (c) confidence-building measures; and (d) transitional justice and reconciliation. 70 The government continuously engaged the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on the 71 remaining commitments to complete the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) 72 and converged efforts with the BOL and the BARMM. The Government is currently engaging the two 73 factions of the MNLF, namely the group under the leadership of Founding Chairman Nur Misuari and 74 another headed by Yusop Jikiri to complete the remaining commitments of the 1996 FPA. Two remaining 75 commitments resulting from the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) of the 1996 FPA are geared towards 76 uplifting the socio-economic and security conditions of the MNLF combatants, their families and 77 communities, especially for the members who were not integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines 78 (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) by virtue of the FPA. 79 In the efforts to converge the gains of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and the CAB, MNLF representatives 80 of the then Bangsamoro Transition Commission integrated in the crafting of the BOL, the remaining 81 commitments resulting from the completion of the Tripartite Review Process, namely, the 42 consensus 82 points; agreements on co-management of strategic minerals; participation of the MNLF in the transitional 83 government or BTA and territory for plebiscite. The provisions