With peace, WB to pour more funds into Mindanao

Screengrab from www.worldbank.org

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines—The World Bank has committed to pour in more funds for initiatives geared at further fostering the peace in and the development of Mindanao, especially after the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) last Thursday.

The CAB is expected to unlock the huge development potential of Mindanao that has long been dormant due to the decades-long armed conflict.

The World Bank described the signing of the CAB as “momentous” for both the government and the MILF. Both had worked on the agreement for 17 years.

“We shall continue to scale up efforts to support programs that will broker sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro and Mindanao as a whole,” read a statement from the World Bank.

Inclusive growth

The financial institution has been supporting peace and inclusive growth in Mindanao through various programs and projects, including social protection, community-driven development, upgrading of community infrastructure and, lately, the formulation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).

The BDP is an initiative of the MILF through its development arm, the Bangsamoro Development Agency. It seeks to define short-, medium- and long-term visions and strategies for the recovery and development of the Bangsamoro.

The BDP is expected to provide strategic direction for the delivery and upgrade of basic services in Bangsamoro communities during and beyond the period of transition.

Work on the plan started in early March. A first draft is expected by the end of the month.

Together with the United Nations, the World Bank is also implementing the Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacities program to make available to the government and the MILF the necessary expertise in rolling out measures related to the transition process.