EU for Mindanao

As reported by the Philippine News Agency, the European Union is set to reaffirm its support for peace and development in Mindanao. For many years, the EU has been one of our country’s biggest development partners supporting the peace process in Mindanao through a comprehensive approach by directly targeting the political settlement and socio-economic recovery of vulnerable and conflict affected areas in the region.

Most recently, EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro, who visited Davao Region from Feb. 26 to 27, has reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to and engagement in supporting long-term peace and development, as Mindanao is a priority region of the European Union assistance to the Philippines with, as the ambassador said, Southern Philippines having received more than P8.5 billion in development initiatives. During his visit, Ambassador Santoro also paid a courtesy call on the chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, Secretary Leo Tereso Abellera Magno, as well as Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte. Santoro will also be visiting the Mindanao Peace and Development Rise project, one of the EU’s major programs in the region. He is also expected to engage with local stakeholders and civil society.

The role of the European Union has played a very significant part in the peace process in Southern Philippines, making it one of the biggest and most reliable partners to date in support of the peace process. In the last five years, the said region received more than P8.5 billion, not including the recently-adopted EU Action on Partnerships for Peace and Development in Mindanao which is worth P1.65 billion. It is here that we can see how the EU further builds on flagship programs while combining lessons from the past and promoting peace, humanitarian development and climate connections.

The EU’s technique in the south has become more impactful as its programs cover good governance, socio-economic development, civil society empowerment, human rights, women and gender equality, peace and security and prevention of violent extremism. Ambassador Santoro also spoke with youth leaders from Ateneo de Davao University, together with the EU Delegation to the Philippines, launching the Youth Sounding Board as a platform for young people to advise the EU on improving engagement with the youth and promoting participation and empowerment.

Over the years, the EU has been seen in the Philippines as a trusted, reliable as well as neutral partner. It is also the third largest trading partner of the Philippines. In 2014, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was successfully signed, which was meant to usher in a new era of peace. In a small way in those days, I too did my own share in this endeavor through the Spanish embassy in order to gain more reference for Philippine legislation. It was in those days that the EU successfully went from “developer” to peace partner and to date, it commits to further strengthening cooperation between the two nations and, in the case of Mindanao, building stronger, more robust programs that will enhance the agricultural sector and further develop rural infrastructure.

Grants given by the EU also include technical assistance and capacity development for local authorities. In addition, the Support to Bangsamoro Transition Program or SUBATRA assists the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and lays the foundation for lasting peace and development by strengthening its institutions’ democratic governance capacities during the period of transition. Significantly, this initiative is co-funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development or AECID.