Secretary Carlito Galvez of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Unity and Reconciliation (OPAPRU) emphasizes during the caravan the it’s a part of the President’s promise to the Bangsamoro people.
LAMITAN CITY, (PIA) – Hundreds of former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) received essential government services during the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism for Normalization (ICCMN) caravan on February 25 in Lamitan City.
The ICCMN caravan brought together, at least, 24 member-agencies, including six ministries from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Services offered during the caravan cover various sectors, including agricultural supplies from the Department of Agriculture, medical assistance from the Department of Health, civil registration services from the Philippine Statistics Office, and health insurance applications via PhilHealth. Other notable services included consular assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and amnesty applications through the National Amnesty Commission and the Department of Justice.
Secretary Carlito Galvez, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Unity and Reconciliation (OPAPRU), emphasized the government’s commitment to the normalization process.
“Nandirito po kaming lahat ngayon upang tuparin and mahalagang mandato ng Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism for Normalization. At ito po ay mas papaigtingin pa po ang pagpapatupad ng ating normalization program para dito po sa Bangsamoro, especially dito sa Basilan,” he said.
Furthermore, the Secretary reiterated the promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance the livelihoods of the Bangsamoro people.
Echoing this sentiment, Basilan Governor Jim Salliman expressed his gratitude towards the ICCMN and local government efforts.
“Unang-una gusto kong pasalamatan lahat yong Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism for Normalization (ICCMN)… Malaking bagay kung lahat tayo may ownership,” Salliman said as he underscored the importance of collective ownership in effectively addressing the historical and ongoing concerns in the province.
Established via Executive Order No. 79, as amended by EO No. 6 in 2022, the ICCMN aims to ensure an efficient and coordinated delivery of services under the Normalization Program, as part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). By adopting a “whole-of-government” approach, the ICCMN seeks to transform former combatants and their families into productive members of society, paving the way for lasting peace.
The ICCMN caravan is not just an initiative to provide immediate assistance but it symbolizes the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of decommissioned MILF combatants and their communities. Services such as health check-ups, dental care, civil registration, and PhilHealth registration were made accessible during this event, significantly contributing to the well-being of participants and promoting their reintegration into society. (NDR-PIA Basilan)
