The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), through its Transforming Alliance for Prosperity and Good
Governance (TAP-G) Project, conducted a CSOs and communities’ orientation on livelihood project in Suguda Buayan cluster area on May 30–31, 2025. The first project site was held at the Lambayong SK Hall in Sultan Kudarat, while the second site took place in General Santos City.
While similar initiatives were carried out in Barangay Talomo, Davao City, and in Barangay Clib, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, on June 2 and 3, 2025, respectively.
The CBCS- TAP-G Project Manager, Ismael Kulat underscores the primary objectives of the said activity: Establish Mutual Understanding: Facilitate a shared comprehension of the project’s goals, processes, and anticipated outcomes between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and community members; Foster Collaboration: Promote smooth cooperation and collaborative efforts between CSOs and the community, ensuring effective project implementation and addressing community needs; Instill Ownership: Encourage a sense of ownership among both CSOs and community members, ensuring they feel responsible for the project’s success, maintenance, and long-term sustainability; and Prepare for Project Transition: Equip the community with the knowledge and understanding necessary for the eventual turnover of the project to the CSOs, emphasizing the importance of continued engagement and maintenance to ensure long-term benefits.
These objectives align with best practices in community development, which emphasize the importance of participatory approaches in ensuring project sustainability. These activities have shown that community involvement in development projects leads to better alignment with the beneficiaries’ needs and higher quality outcomes, thereby enhancing the likelihood of sustainability.
The proposed livelihood assistance that the project, in coordination with the MSSD (Ministry of Social Services and Development) shall be given to the MILF and MNLF communities in the said cluster areas are the Halal goat farming, Fishing Equipment, Goat Farming and Bangsamoro trade center.
The activity was part of CBCS’s ongoing efforts to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the former
MILF and MNLF combatants’ communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and nearby provinces as its contribution in popularizing the provisions of the Annex on Normalization agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed on January 25, 2014. In particular in the Gradual Decommissioning of MILF Combatants specifically the number 3 items which states that: “To achieve the above goal, a comprehensive needs assessment shall be undertaken for the members of the BIAF and their communities as a basis for a comprehensive socio-economic development program.” The Project Manager stressed however that, the project is not a GPH-MILF initiatives but CBCS independent discretion in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) headed by Minister Atty Raissa H. Jajurie as as their way of contributing for popularizing and sustaining the gains of the GPH-MILF peace process.
Furthermore, these efforts align with CBCS’s mission to promote peace, human rights, good governance, and development by building the capacities of CSOs to actively participate in community development and governance processes. By facilitating mutual understanding and cooperation, CBCS contributes to creating a more inclusive and effective civil society in the region.
“It is vital that we first establish a mutual understanding of our respective roles and responsibilities concerning the livelihood assistance that the project will introduce to the community. This foundational alignment will facilitate effective collaboration, clear communication, and a shared commitment in sustaining the project. By doing so, we will ensure a seamless transition and continued success when the project is officially handed over.” The TAP-G project manager, Ismael Kulat said.
Prior to the said area consultation and visitation, earlier initiatives of the TAP-G project have included series of trainings such as fund sourcing and financial management, capacity building, and organizational management aiming to enhance the capacity of CSOs to develop comprehensive and compelling project proposals tailored to their organizational needs and funding requirements.
The said field activity was participated by the Suguda Buayan and Davao cluster areas’ to CSOs and representatives of the project chosen communities (MILF and MNLF communities), and made possible by the CBCS, headed by its Chairman, Mr. Guiamel M. Alim and facilitated by the TAP-G Project manager Mike Kulat and staff.
By: Aisa Tina
TAP-G Project Advocacy Officer
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