DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao -- Former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and residents in six government—acknowledged MILF camps in Mindanao will soon be proud owners of National IDs and birth certificates.
This developed after the Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) launched the first leg of its Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) and birth certificate registration on June 13, Monday, in the MILF’s Camp Badre.
The JTFCT is a joint mechanism established by the Government of the Philippines and MILF Peace Implementing Panels to carry out peacebuilding and development initiatives within the MILF camps, which are under the socioeconomic component of the Normalization Program.
Around 83 camp residents registered under the PhilSys, while another 56 registered to secure certificates of live birth.
Allan Guiahal, 28 years old, is grateful to the JTFCT and PSA because he and his family members now have access to much-needed social services.
Guiahal shared that he decided to register himself and his eight-year old son under PhilSys because having a valid government ID is necessary for processing legal documents, as well as seeking employment and education opportunities.
"Alam ko kasi na kailangan ang mga government issued ID sa pag apply ng trabaho, pagaaral ng mga bata at pag asikaso ng mga papeles. Kaya kumuha na ako at sinama ko na rin ang anak ko," he said.
According to Guiahal, the special National ID and birth certificate registration spearheaded by the JTFCT and PSA is more convenient and costs less because they no longer have to go to the PSA office to process their documents.
“Maraming salamat na pumunta sila dito. Hindi na namin kailangan mag biyahe pa sa opisina nila o sa labas. Nilapit na nila mismo sa amin ang PhilSys ID," he said.
The PhilSys Registration aims to provide these former combatants and their next of kin with a legal identity and social protection, which are crucial as they return to mainstream society and bring a greater sense of normalcy to their lives.
The PhiSys registration that will be held in the six MILF camps from June 13 to 24 this year is under the Social Development Domain of the Camps Transformation Plan (CTP) that was approved by GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels last year.
The CTP is a six-year plan (2021-2026) that outlines the process, direction and interventions that will be carried out to harness the full economic potential of the camps and transform them into show windows of peace and development.
The plan is aligned to the three major elements that underpin Camp Transformation: Human Security; Community Development; and Area Development.
These elements are fleshed out in eight planning domains: Spiritual Development; Cultural Development; Economic Development; Social Development; Political Participation and Moral Governance; Environmental Protection; Community Resilience; and Security, Peace, and Order. (OPAPRU)
