Bangsamoro Internal Displacement Coordinating Council holds TWG Meeting-Workshop

COTABATO CITY (March 25, 2025) — The Bangsamoro Internal Displacement Coordinating Council (BIDCC) has made significant advancements in addressing the pressing issues faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) following the successful conclusion of its inaugural Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting and workshop. This important event took place on March 19-20, 2025, at the Royal Hall, Pagana Kutawato Native Restaurant in Cotabato City, and represents a critical milestone in implementing the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 62 (BAA No. 62), which aims to protect and enhance the welfare of IDPs.

The two-day workshop convened members of the BIDCC, government ministries, civil society organizations, and representatives of IDPs to develop the Bangsamoro Internal Displacement Program/Plan (BIDPP) and draft initial funding proposals. A focal point of the discussions was the formulation of the BIDCC’s internal rules and procedures, essential for effective governance and program execution.

Opening the workshop, Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, Minister of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and Chairperson of the BIDCC, emphasized the importance of prioritizing IDPs’ needs and highlighted the workshop’s role in fostering collaborative efforts for the implementation of BAA No. 62.

“This workshop aims to provide an opportunity for convergence among BIDCC members to work on vital tasks as we commence the implementation of BAA No. 62 or the IDP Law in the BARMM. With your cooperation and commitment, I am confident that we can put into action our collective goal of protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region,” stated Minister Jajurie.

During the event, Atty. Mohammad Muktadir A. Estrella, the Bangsamoro Director General, presented an overview of BAA No. 62, detailing its provisions and the legislative framework designed to tackle displacement stemming from political violence, military conflict, clan warfare, and disasters. He underscored the law’s commitment to safeguarding IDPs throughout their displacement journey and thereafter.

The workshop’s structure involved forming TWG members, divided into two groups: TWG 1, which focused on drafting the BIDCC’s internal rules and procedures, and TWG 2, which prepared a proposal for a dedicated PhP50 million funding allocation.

On the second day of the workshop, participants engaged in discussions led by Racmah A. Abdula, MSSD Chief of the Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD). The session focused on strategic planning and policies necessary to meet the long-term needs of IDPs through the forthcoming BIDPP, which is anticipated to serve as a critical resource in delivering sustainable and effective solutions to the IDP crisis in the Bangsamoro region.

In his closing remarks, Hasim M. Guiamil, MSSD Director II of Programs and Operations Services, reinforced the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders, including governmental entities, NGOs, and the communities affected by displacement, to ensure that the workshop’s outcomes yield substantial benefits for IDPs.

The BIDCC encompasses key stakeholders from the Bangsamoro ministries, including the Bangsamoro Women’s Commission (BWC), the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), and the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC), as well as IDP representatives and civil society organizations. Its mission is to ensure that the rights and needs of IDPs are met with both urgency and compassion.

The collaborative efforts launched in this workshop now set the stage for BIDCC’s ongoing commitment to providing essential support and services to IDPs, in alignment with their rights to security, dignity, and human rights. (Reported by USM BSIR OJT Student: Amera M. Basalon, BMN/BangsamoroToday)