The Mahintana Foundation Incorporated (MFI) successfully conducted the Project Launcing and MOU Signing of the ProPEACE Programme held on February 18, 2021 at The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato.
The activity was graced by Assistant Secretary Alexander L. Macario of the DILG Central Office, MFI President, Martiniano L. Magdolot, Ms. Liza D. Hora, MFI Executive Director and Mr. Nicholaos Yiannakis, Vice President and Managing Director of DOLE Philippines, Inc.
In attendance during the activity are the Pro PEACE Project partners, RD Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO of the Department of the Interior and Local Government XII and Sultan Kudarat Vice Governor Jose Remus Segura, Representative of the RPOC XII Chairperson, and Representatives from the Department of Education XII, DENR-Maguindanao DOLE Philippines, Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc. OND Hesed Foundation, Inc. Tribal Leaders Development Foundation, Inc. Representatives of the Provinces of South Cotabato Sarangani, and Municipal Mayors of Banga, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, Tboli, Tupi, Alabel, Kiamba, Malapatan, PNP and AFP and the religious and tribal leaders
ProPEACE Programme, a consortium project between KDFI, MDFI, OND HFI, TLDFI and DOLEFIL, is being funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resiliency Fund (GCERF) with project amount of Php 30.9M which has commenced last December 1, 2020 and ends on November 30, 2022. Target beneficiary groups are the Ulamas, Ustads, Haggais/IP pastors, Christian leaders/priests/ministries) and youth (in-school and out-of-school youth) in the areas of South Cotabato: Banga, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, Tboli, Tupi, and Sarangani: Alabel, Kiamba, Malapatan.
Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, the Program Manager, said that the ProPEACE Programme seeks to help address the drivers of violent extremism: economic and political exclusion of marginalized groups (e.g. Muslims, IPs) to local governance structures and services, and limited opportunities for participation and access to government services among others.
In his message, DILG Asst. Secretary Alexander L. Macario, highlighted the importan ce of convergence, discipline among people and the role of the CSOs in the pursuit of peace and development in the Region.
Meanwhile, Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III of DILG fully expressed her support and of the Department in the Project. DILG XII under her leadership, will do its part in the promotion of peace and security, improving tolerance and respect for diversity of the tri-people groups and inclusive growth in the target communities in a myriad of other means like capacity building activities, she added.
Lastly, the Activity was highlighted by the signing of Commitment and Memorandum of Understanding between and among the Project Partners and Stakeholders.
