Gov't unveils plan to transform Camp Abubakar into peaceful, progressive community

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) has unveiled a master development plan which will serve as a “blueprint” for transforming  Camp Abubakar —  one of the former main camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) — into a peaceful and progressive community. 

Launched under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity-Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (OPPAPRU-JTFCT), the Master Development Plan for the MILF’s Camp Abubakar was signed and launched on Tuesday in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte. 

“The Master Development Plan is anchored and inspired by the Camps Transformation Plan formulated by the JTFCT in 2021,” according to OPAPRU Secretary  Carlito Galvez, Jr. during the launching ceremony. 

“Ito ay isang konkretong hakbang upang unti-unting isakatuparan ang pinag-isang aspirasyon ng GPH at MILF na baguhin ang mukha ng kampo mula sa gulo at pagiging armado patungong kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” he said. 

(This is a concrete step that will enable us to gradually fulfill the aspirations of the GPH and the MILF to transform the armed camp into a symbol of peace and progress.)

The National Housing Authority (NHA) drafted the comprehensive plan which envisions the camp’s development in the next 20 years. 

It features an initial 234 housing units for 2024. Of the figures, 134 housing units will come from the PAMANA program while the remaining 100 units will be shouldered by the Bangsamoro government. 

Among the infrastructure projects included in the master development plan are access roads, telecommunication access, potable water access, agricultural plantation areas, institutional and religious buildings, health facilities and mercantile areas. 

“The Master Development Plan ay nagmula at para sa mga residente ng Camp Abubakar,” said Galvez. 

(The master development plan was started and is meant for the residents of Camp Abubakar.)

“It is a blueprint that targets the socioeconomic deficiencies in the camp by providing housing solutions for the MILF decommissioned combatants, as well as a platform for other national government agencies and BARMM ministries to bring in programs and change,” he said. 

The master development plan is a collaboration between different government entities including the National Housing Authority, PAMANA, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform  Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy and the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development.—RF, GMA Integrated News