IPs in the mainland BARMM contributes to the Protracted Displacement Protection Assessment

Despite the ongoing peace initiatives in BARMM, displacements all over the region have become extensive and recurrent, mostly affecting the Indigenous population. Countless efforts and mechanisms from the government, peacebuilding and humanitarian sectors, and United Nations agencies such as UNHCR, OCHA, and OHCHR convened to help ease the situation, focusing on the durable solutions nexus.

In partnership with the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines, the activity entitled “Protracted Displacement Protection Assessment (PDPA)” was conducted last January 8-9, 2025, at DepEd-NEAP 12, General Santos City. This initiative was attended by different tribes from mainland Mindanao who have been currently and protractedly displaced for several years and even decades whose lives were changed and unprotected of their rights for several years. Yet, they are still aiming for their situations to change with the hope of being heard and included.

This activity intends on producing recommendations to contribute to the operational strategies that could strengthen protection mechanisms of the IDPs in the BARMM, especially for the minority groups. With the total participants of 50, the primary respondents are the tribal leaders and the youth, both moro and non-moro, from the Dulangan Manobo, Teduray, and B’laan tribes in Maguindanao del Norte. While representatives of Higaonon, Native Maranaos, and Manobo tribes came from Lanao del Sur.

Captured highlights during the discussion were the uniqueness of displacement actors in the region and their coping mechanisms to overcome the situation. An example is the all-out war that happened in Marawi City, and Rido or clan feud was the most common that became challenging to the region’s unstable peace, security, and development. Resiliency and adaptation have been the surviving techniques of this affected population.