A landmark and highly significant activity was recently organized exclusively for the officials and personnel of the Special Geographic Area (SGA), aimed at enhancing local governance and protecting internally displaced persons (IDPs). The initiative, titled Capacity Training on Ordinance Drafting for the Protection of IDPs, was conducted from November 10 to 13, 2025, at the Dreamweavers Hotel in Koronadal City.
The training brought together 29 representatives from key SGA departments, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Municipal Social Services and Development Office, and various Sangguniang Bayan units. Their participation reflected the collective commitment of SGA LGUs to strengthen governance mechanisms and institutional capacities for protecting the rights of displaced populations.
The primary objective of the activity was to equip SGA LGUs with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to draft rights-based local ordinances, while ensuring that the rights and welfare of IDPs are fully recognized and protected within their respective jurisdictions.
Key Focus Areas of the Training
A central component of the training was the deepening of participants’ understanding of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 62 (BAA No. 62) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). These legal frameworks provided the foundation for drafting ordinances that are aligned with human rights principles, institutional mandates, and protection mechanisms for IDPs.
Participants also gained insights into the protection and response mechanisms of MSSD, including procedures for addressing the immediate and long-term needs of displaced communities. Support initiatives from UNDP were highlighted as key enablers for strengthening local governance and ensuring effective social service delivery.
The training featured a brief historical overview of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), emphasizing its role in fostering peace, stability, and social cohesion in conflict-affected areas. In addition, participants were introduced to the framework on durable solutions, which outlines strategies for the sustainable return, local integration, or resettlement of displaced populations, promoting long-term resilience and self-reliance.
Another critical component was the discussion on PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment), ensuring that all local interventions and services adhere to the highest standards of safety, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
Learning from Best Practices
A key part of the training was learning from the local government units (LGUs) in South Upi and Mamasapano, which have successfully created IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) protection ordinances. These case studies showed participants how to create effective policies, engage the community, and work well with other organizations. Each example highlighted the challenges they faced and the solutions they found, helping participants understand how to adapt these ideas to their own communities. This practical learning experience helped participants connect legal concepts to real-world actions, giving them the confidence and tools to start similar projects in their areas.
Partnerships and Collaboration
This initiative was implemented in partnership with UNHCR and CBCS under the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), with active participation from the United Nations Development Programme and various stakeholders from the Ministry of Social Services and Development, LGU Mamasapano, and LGU South Upi. The collaborative approach demonstrated the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in advancing rights-based local governance and ensuring the protection of displaced communities.
Outcomes and Aspirations
The two-and-a-half-day activity concluded with a sense of accomplishment and optimism. Participants left equipped not only with technical knowledge on ordinance drafting but also with the confidence and commitment to champion the rights of IDPs in their respective communities. The training fostered a shared vision that the affected populations in their localities will one day fully enjoy the rights and protections that are legally and morally theirs.
This landmark capacity-building activity represents a critical step in advancing peace, governance, and human rights within the Special Geographic Area, setting the stage for the development of effective, rights-based ordinances that protect and empower displaced populations.
By:
Julie Enolpe-Esmael
Project Officer—IDP Protection
Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society
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