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  4. CBD Core Group “Bantula” Strengthening Workshop Held in Bukidnon

On Community-based Dialogues (CBD) Project
CBD Core Group “Bantula” Strengthening Workshop Held in Bukidnon

In line with sustaining the CBD regional core groups under the project “Community-based Dialogue Sessions on Human Rights Promotion and Protection between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities” (CBD), a 2-day strengthening workshop for “Bantula” was held on March 19-20, 2019 in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

HSF

 Region X (Northern Mindanao) is one of three (3) focus areas of the project, aside from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region VI (Western Visayas).

Key members of the multi-sectoral core group “Bantula” participated in the activity, i.e., the Commission on Human Rights (Region X), Armed Forces of the Philippines (43rd CMO Battalion & 403rd Brigade, Philippine Army), Philippine National Police (Human Rights Affairs Office-Bukidnon), Departments of the Interior and Local Government (Region X) and Agrarian Reform (Bukidnon), the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the local legislative council in Malaybalay, and civil society organizations (CSOs) active in the province of Bukidnon.

HSF

Relevant information were shared and there was a fruitful exchange of insights and ideas among the participants on how to further strengthen and institutionalize “Bantula,” the CBD mechanism in the province.

The discussions covered updates on “Bantula” and renewal of the local partnership agreement that was signed in 2012, expanding the membership of the core group as well as its roles and responsibilities, replication of “Bantula” to specific communities and/or barangays, and identification and prioritization of local/community concerns, notably on IP and agrarian reform, among others. It was agreed that the group shall establish closer linkages with the provincial government especially with the governor and mayors to introduce “Bantula” and at the same time seek their support for its initiatives through the local development councils (i.e., barangay up to provincial level) including a share in the annual budget.

HSF

The CBD project is currently on its fourth phase (2017-2019) which aims to institutionalize the CBD mechanism at the local level. The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of Region X has passed “Resolution No. 13, Series of 2017” expressing support to and enjoining local government units (LGUs) to be actively involved and become the prime movers in the conduct of the CBD on Human Rights Promotion and Protection among the AFP, PNP, CSOs and local communities. In 2015, the CHR En-banc passed a resolution [CHR (V) No. AM 2015-108] in support of the CBD as local convenor, and in 2018 passed a supplemental resolution on the “CHRP Guidelines for the implementation of the Community-based Dialogues Project.”

The CHR regional office serves as local lead convenor with the CSO (Balaod Mindanaw) as co-convenor, as agreed upon by the stakeholders.

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