MARAWI CITY—To attain a sustainable development project in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the government of Canada will contribute to the Bangsamoro development trust fund worth P178-million.

The trust fund, which will finance studies on normalization in the conflict-torn region, knowledge-sharing activities, communication materials development, and regular consultations, aims to help former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and redevelop six previous MILF camps into “peaceful and productive communities.”

The World Bank, in a document dated March 7, 2022, said, “Canada will provide $4.38-million (in Canadian dollars)—presently equivalent to P178-million in Philippine currency—for the Bangsamoro Normalization Multi-Donor Trust Fund over the next three years.”

In May 2021, the World Bank said that it has started to manage the trust fund, receiving foreign financing for BARMM development, which will support the peace process in the region and boost the local economy through resources from development partners.

Canada will make five tranches in depositing the fund between March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2025. About $2.75-million will be the first installment to be deposited by the end of this month.

The World Bank and the government of Canada may review the rate at which payments are made based on the speed of implementing projects and the availability of other funds.

In support for former combatants and their communities, it may include unconditional cash transfers, vocational training, micro-enterprise promotion, and employment assistance.

Moreover, the fund will also finance impact assessments on the normalization process and provide technical assistance and training to government agencies involved in the process and provide grants for national and local government agencies for operational and technical support. (Kasan M. Usop, Jr/BIO)