USAID/OTI Philippines Program Summary: May 1999
Tangible Benefits of Peace
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| MNLF ex-fighter plows a cornfield as part of an OTI-funded reintegration project in Mindanao. |
In the fall of 1996 the Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF) signed a groundbreaking peace agreement with the
government of the Philippines. For years, the rebels had protested
the political, economic, and social marginalization of Filipino
Muslims by waging guerilla war. The peace agreement contained
provisions for Muslim political autonomy, but also placed great
emphasis on economic development for the Muslims in Mindanao. By the
summer of 1997, the government's failure to deliver on the
promise of peace fueled restlessness on the part of former
fighters.
OTI's objective is to bring
tangible benefits to potential spoilers. Its programs reintegrate
ex-combatants through the Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program
(ELAP)--part of USAID's Growth with Equity
in Mindanao (GEM) project.
Operating in 11 MNLF state areas, with up to 380 participants per
area, the program gives ex-fighters agricultural production inputs,
training, and technical assistance. They are then asked to repay the
value of the production inputs into a local community fund, which is
used to mobilize savings and leverage bank services for future
loans. OTI has also provided training to representatives of the
Bangsamoro Women's Foundation for Peace and Development on
enhancing community participation, to assist them in developing the
community funds.
Oversight for OTI's program is provided by
a management committee that includes representatives from USAID,
the National Economic Development Authority, the
Bangsamoro Women's Foundation (ELAP's local NGO partner) and
is chaired by the Southern Philippines Council for Peace
and Development. At the local level, ELAP is guided by
community committees composed of the MNLF state chairman and representatives
from the Bangsamoro Women's Foundation and the MNLF National
Unit Command.
In April 1999, OTI launched a second program, the Transition
Assistance Grants (TAG) Initiative, to promote cooperation
between the MNLF, the government, and Christians and to
empower citizens and civil society organizations in the poorest
areas of Mindanao. TAG aims to improve socioeconomic conditions by
linking village-based infrastructure and agriculture projects to the
broader development objectives of the Philippines government and
other donors. The projects are designed to prevent MNLF groups from
reverting to armed conflict with the government by creating new
opportunities for collaboration and enhancing indigenous leadership
capability.
| Testing Peace in Mindanao: Though the MNLF has signed a peace agreement with the government, more extreme Muslim organizations continue to seek independence from the Philippines. One such group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), rejected the 1996 peace process. Though MILF is currently in dialogue with the government, negotiations could be jeopardized if the economic development provisions of government's agreement with MNLF are not met. In addition, if MNLF supporters lose faith in the government's willingness and ability to redress their grievances, they could again resort to violence. OTI programs have bolstered the peace by giving the government breathing space to launch development programs. |
Operational support for the TAG initiative is
provided by Development Alternatives, Inc., a SWIFT contractor. OTI
also coordinates with other donors funding programs in Mindanao,
including Great Britain, Canada, Australia, UNDP, and the World
Bank.
OTI Assistance FY 1997: $867,000
OTI Assistance FY 1998: $1,566,000
Total OTI Assistance to date (FY97-98): $2,433,000
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