The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society in partnership with UNHCR, hosted a Capacity Training on Ordinance Drafting for the Protection of the Internally Displaced Persons on May 29–30, 2024, at Pagana Kutawato Pavilion, Cotabato City.
In attendance were representatives from the Office of the Vice- Mayor and the 11 municipalities from the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, they are as follows: Mangudadatu, Paglat, Datu Paglas, Pandag, Guindulungan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Upi, and Sultan Mastura.
These targeted participants have no local ordinance on IDP protection, hosted displacement population incidents in the SPMS Box and Upi complex; and are the most affected by and vulnerable to violent conflicts. The two-day activity aimed to: a.) Capacitate the target LGU participants on humanitarian and protection principles as per international laws and frameworks, b.) raise the awareness of local policy and decision-makers on the current trends of internal displacement in BARMM, particularly in their respective localities, c.) Map out the existing local capacities and challenges in responding to internal displacement; d.) share good practices on localization of efforts towards protection and durable solutions; and, e.) Provide technical mentoring to draft the zero version of the envisaged IDP Protection Ordinance.
Mr. Guiamel M. Alim, CBCS Chairperson, said, “I am an IDP myself, which is why I know the experiences, the hardships, and the feelings of being displaced. Others tagged IDPs as second-class citizens and their rights were not given and properly addressed, but it is all our responsibility to protect them, which takes a whole society approach to face these issues and challenges. I look forward to our participants in this capacity training being able to draft their ordinance to protect the IDPs; let us empower these individuals to be the front liners of their communities”.
The UNHCR as a partner in this advocacy, was present in the activity, Atty. Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, Head of National Office, UNHCR-Philippines to give support to CBCS and to the LGU legislators and representatives who participated in the concluded capacity training,
Together with her were Ms. Corazon Lagamayo, Assistant Protection Officer, and Ms. Aeriel Ann Gonzales, Protection Associatewho imparted relevant topics in drafting ordinances for the protection of internally displaced persons.
CBCS shared its best practices and engagements with the Office of Member of Parliament, Atty. Raissa Jajurie, as the principal sponsor and author of BTA Bill No. 32, the Ministry of Social Services and Development, and its partnership with UNHCR and other stakeholders ensure an inclusive and rights-based approach towards durable solutions.
IDPs often face a lack of legal documentation during displacements, and barriers in accessing basic rights and services. The ongoing conflict in which the IDPs remain in areas of active conflict, exposes them to continued violence, threats, and human rights abuses, elderly, women, girls, and differently abled persons were not given tailored assistance and inclusive infrastructure to ensure their protection, special needs, and well-being. These were among the enumerated protection issues faced by the CBCS IDP Protection Team during the listening and monitoring activities in the displacement areas of the displaced population.
Internally displaced persons face immense challenges in securing their safety, rights, and access to essential services. In some cases, IDPs may choose to integrate into the local communities where they have sought refuge. That is why representatives and legislators who are participants are able to draft and draw attention to the importance of having a local ordinance for the protection of internally displaced persons. They have seen that this legal mechanism addresses the cycle of displacement (the before, the during, and the after), especially in those conflict- and disaster-prone municipalities.
The drafting of an IDP ordinance was facilitated by Atty. Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli, Assistant Attorney General, Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office. “The importance of having a Law or Ordinance for the Protection of the IDPs is not to give them preferential treatment or treat them as a special class or person, but to improve the quality of response whose needs are habitually addressed under the prevailing framework, which is why we needed a dedicated ordinance for the protection of the IDPs”.
Addressing the complex challenges facing internally displaced persons requires a comprehensive, collaborative approach involving National, Regional, and Local Governments, Civil Society, Humanitarian Organizations, and the displaced communities themselves. By upholding the rights and dignity of IDPs, we can work towards durable solutions and build a more resilient and inclusive society.
In line with the advocacy to protect the displaced population, Action Against Hunger Philippines, through its Head of Project, Ms. Sitti Mhuriza Mamasalagat extended their support in the capacity training write shop and looked forward to more collaboration.
There are already 12 municipalities in BARMM that have their own Ordinance for the Protection of the Rights of IDPs, to wit: Municipality of South Upi, Sultan Sa Barongis, Patikul, Butig, Datu Piang, Kabuntalan, Mamasapano, Datu Unsay, Datu Salibo, Ampatuan, Kapai, and Datu Saudi Ampatuan. The participants were encouraged and assured CBCS that their ordinances would be passed and approved within the year.
It is all about protecting rights; it should benefit not only the IDPs but also persons who might find themselves in a situation of forcible displacement. Not one of us has a guarantee that we can never experience displacement or be an internally displaced individual.
To date, BTA Bill No. 32 is awaiting its final approval of the appropriation provision, for the CSSD Committee to make the report, deliberate it in plenary, amend it, and approve it by the BARMM Chief Minister.
By: Jamaheria G. Compania
Communications and Advocacy Officer
IDP Protection Project
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