Two staffs of Bangsamoro Development Agency-Southern Mindanao Region (BDA-SouthMin) facilitated the conduct of capability-building training for 37 Muslim women leaders from Sarangani Province and General Santos City geared to equip the participants with additional skills and knowledge towards strengthening their organization and the realization of its goals.

The participants were officers and members of Mindanao Women Advocacy on Good Governance (MWAGG) from Malungon, Malapatan, Kiamba and Maasim in Sarangani Province and City of General Santos.

The activity was held at Madrasa Ad-Dourie Ul-Ilmie wal-Iman in Tinagacan, General Santos City on May 9-10, 2013.

Gandhi Kinjiyo, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of BDA-SouthMin imparted to the women his skills on data gathering, basic documentation, and writing simple news article. He also discussed on the history of Bangsamoro struggle.

He pointed out how important it is that every activity of the organization should be documented because “documentation is an evidence that tells you really did the activity.” Kinjiyo also urged the women leaders to come up with their own newsletter.

BDA-SouthMin Community Organizer Tommy Nawa discussed the Government of the Philippines (GPH)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and answered all queries that arose.

Nawa outlined the establishment of the Bangsamoro New Political Entity, the Basic Law, the Powers of the Bangsamoro, Wealth Sharing, Territory, Basic Rights, Transition and Implementation, and Normalization.

“The two panels will sign a comprehensive peace agreement and implement it. Thereafter, an exit agreement will be signed if all the provisions of the peace agreement are implemented,” he said.

He pointed out the crucial role of the International Peace Monitors who will evaluate if the two parties implement the peace agreement.

One of the major activities of the women leaders is to help disseminate information about the FAB in their respective communities.

Ustadz Abdulsatar Alangan, Chair of the Dawah Committee in the area, discussed about Islamic faith. He began his lecture by relating the history of Islamization in the Philippines. He also focused on the importance of having fear to Allahu ta Ala and being obedient to what is ordained in the Holy Quran so Muslims won’t be lost.

Ustadz Ebrahim Sandigan from the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) told the participants how important it is for all the Moro leaders of Mindanao regardless of fronts or factions to be united on their objectives for the Bangsamoro.

CBCS currently implements the Mindanao Solidarity Project with the goal to bring together the Moro leaders of Mindanao to have a common objective and move towards the realization of genuine peace and development in Southern Philippines.

The activity, sponsored by CBCS was realized through the efforts of MWAGG Chairperson Prof Naima Gumaga and regional head Saguira Gumander with their chapter officers and members./Gandhi C. Kinjiyo-Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Officer (PMEO), RMO SOuthMin