Ferliza C.
Contratista
CEBU CITY, April 13 (PIA)-- A group of
former combatants from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Maguindanao
is among the final nominees for the 6th Triennial Awards of the Ramon Aboitiz
Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) this year.
Kadtabanga for Peace
and Development executive director Mokaleden Kido was in Cebu City recently to
represent the organization which is among the five finalists of the Institution
Category of the 6th Triennial Awards.
Kido said they were
formed in 2000 when hundreds of them turned over their arms after the
successful peace process involving ARMM head Nur Misuari.
He said, they were
able to transform 28 conflict areas into zones of peace and development
communities (PDC’s) in Maguindanao.
“Meron pa ring
maganda at Masaya sa Maguindanao, di lang 44 at massacre, kami iyon,”
Kido said.
In the PDC’s the
combatants turned to farming, fishing and other livelihood programs. He
said their assets and performance are documented.
“Kaya masaya kami at
may nakakita sa amin, we have the track record to show that there is still a
space for peace in Maguindanao,” Kido said.
They are also full
force in advocating the benefits of having the Bangsamoro government in
Mindanao.
“Sa ARMM, limited ang
governance mga desisyon na dapat sana ay sa amin lang sa Central pa magmumula,”
he said.
He also said that the
Bangsamoro government will also protect the Christians in the area.
“It is not true that
their properties will be taken away from them, mas protectado pa nga sila with
BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law)” Kido said.
Another institution
finalist is Balay Mindanaw Foundation is also working for peace and development
in Mindanao.
The other finalists
for institution category include Cantaan Centennial Multi-Purpose Cooperative,
Western Samar Development Foundation and Sibog Katawhan Alang sa Paglambo.
Cantaan has championed
the giant clam preservation in Camiguin while Western Samar Development
Foundation, Inc. focuses on the prevention of abuse among women and children,
women empowerment, and promotion of a healthy family through the provision of
livelihood.
Sibog Katawhan Alang
sa Paglambo, Inc., on the other hand, is noted for its efforts on cultural
integrity, disaster risk reduction and management, income and employment
generation, gender equity, good governance and social protection.
The Individual
Category nominees include Cebuano priest good governance advocate Fr. Carmelo
Diola; Anita Castillon, a teacher of the Tboli’s and Congressman Lawrence
Fortun of Butuan, who spearheaded the processing of birth certificates to
indigenous people.
The Triennial Awards
started in 1996, is conducted every three years aiming to search for
individuals and institutions that are making a difference in the
community.(mbcn fcc/PIA7-Cebu)