For the implementation of Enduring Peace in the Bangsamoro (EPB) Project, Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra met with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) at the MHSD-BARMM Regional Office, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City on May 18, 2022.

As Chairman to the Land Dispute Resolution Committee (LDRC), Minister Barra shared details on the Most Affected Areas during the Marawi Siege which composed of 24 barangays, emphasizing the LDRC as a contributor to Marawi’s restoration. He also highlighted the MoU signing with International Alert, an agency well-versed in land-related conflict resolution and supports the proposal to create a Regional Land Dispute Resolution Board (RLDRB).

Also discussed during the meeting were previous activities conducted as part of the EPB Project, such as the “Talakayan with BARMM Agencies” attended by Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim along with representatives from other BARMM ministries and agencies, where participants agreed to have the CRS visit the BARMM Ministries to introduce the concept of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG), and update on the progress of the EPB project.

Implemented by the CRS and its local Non-Government Organizations (NGO) partners in selected areas of the Bangsamoro Region, the EPB Project envisions peace and stability in the BARMM through working closely with different ministries and agencies in addressing conflict issues, particularly on land ownership, and targeting communities to participate in social cohesion activities.

A meeting with Janice-zah M. Macapantar, Chief of Environment and Land Use Division, and Abdulhamid C. Alawi, Jr., Chief of Policy Development and Coordination Division, immediately followed for a Convergence with the CRS for a proposed Policy Event, to be led by the MHSD.

As a result, an Executive Order on the creation of the RLDRB may be drafted for the review of members of the parliament and a team of legal officers in the coming weeks.