In a significant step towards peace and development, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony for a new housing and resettlement project at Camp Abubakar in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte. The event, held on December 19, 2024, was attended by OPAPRU chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Governor Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s journey towards stability and prosperity.
Secretary Galvez expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The day that we have all been waiting for has finally come,” highlighting the importance of the project for its future residents. The initiative is specifically designed to support decommissioned combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and their families, offering them a new beginning under the OPAPRU’s ‘Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan’ (PAMANA) Program.
Governor Macacua echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the project goes beyond constructing homes. “We are cementing our commitment to a brighter future for our people,” he remarked, underscoring the broader impact of the development on the community.
The project is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), and the local government of Barira. This partnership is a crucial part of the Camps Transformation Plan (CTP), which seeks to convert six former MILF camps into thriving, peaceful, and resilient communities.
This groundbreaking ceremony not only signifies the start of construction but also represents a hopeful step towards lasting peace and development in the region.