MinDA, UNDP see convergence opportunities in Mindanao

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

CITING collaboration as a strategic direction in pursuing aid effectiveness, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have identified areas of convergence among major peace and development initiatives in mostly conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

At the 2nd Steering Committee Meeting of the Early Recovery and Rehabilitation for Central Mindanao (ERRCM) program held recently, MinDA chair Luwalhati R. Antonino underscored opportunities for synergy among various programs in Mindanao.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The ERRCM is a program designed to facilitate the return or resettlement and early recovery of IDPs affected by past armed conflicts in Mindanao. Apart from building core shelters, it also provides basic services and facilities, livelihood assistance, strengthening capacity for local governance, and rebuilding social cohesion.

CAGAYAN DE ORO. United Nations Development Programme Country Director Renaud Meyer (left) identifies opportunities for complementation of the development initiatives of government and international donors during the Early Recovery and Rehabilitation for Central Mindanao Program 2nd steering committee meeting led by Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino. (Contributed photo)

Covering the four provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, and Maguindanao, the ERRCM program is implemented by MinDA and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) government, with support from the Delegation of the European Union and the UNDP.

"There is more that we can achieve if we harmonize our strategies and consolidate our strengths, as more areas can be covered by our efforts," Antonino told the members of the steering committee, which include representatives from key agencies, as well as the Armm led by OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman.

During the meeting, the group identified one component of the ERRCM which is core shelter for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Maguindanao, a project also being undertaken in the same area under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp).

“We welcome this opportunity for complementation and coordination,” said Opapp Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, stressing that it was a good time to talk about coordinating efforts of government especially in major interventions in Mindanao.

Montalbo pointed out that among their 12 core shelter sites in Maguindanao, five barangays are also being served by ERRCM. These areas would serve as target sites for complementation to make each program more efficient.

“I agree we should streamline our programs and identify areas of complementation, so we can utilize our resources more efficiently, and enable us to serve more IDPs and communities,” Antonino said.

The agreement for collaboration has led UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer to express how pleased he was over the turnout of the meeting, noting that “complementation of the interventions of government and international donors is exactly what we are here for.”

“From the donor perspective, it is extremely valuable to demonstrate that a foreign-assisted program can actually lead to an increase in synergy among national and international partners,” he said.

Meyer noted that it would be interesting to map the sites covered by ERRCM vis-à-vis other programs such as Pamana and identify areas of convergence. He said MinDA and Pamana can undertake a joint mapping of their areas of intervention and any overlap can then be turned into areas of complementation.

“MinDA already has a listing of projects undertaken by all agencies in Mindanao, and we can map out the coordination of our programs to utilize our resources more efficiently. This will make our initiatives more meaningful for beneficiaries,” said Antonino.

Meanwhile, Hataman expressed his support to the convergence approach as he cited governance, social services and peace and development initiatives as among the major priorities under the Armm Reform Agenda. (PR)