The Eisenhower Fellows Association of the Philippines (EFAP) has launched the Basilan Development Program to help transform the war-torn province to a place of sustainable peace and development. The program, backed by the local government, the military and members of the private sector, aims to “establish resilient and peaceful communities in the province of Basilan as a model of the ideals of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro.” “As the country prepares for the transition of Muslim Mindanao to the Bangsamoro autonomous government, EFAP believes that Basilan would be a strategic area for development intervention,” said Ayala chairman and CEO and EFAP honorary chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. Among its prominent members taking the lead in this project are Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Ernie Garilao, former Saranggani Governor Miguel Dominguez, Tayabas City Mayor Dondi Silang, Brigadier General Charlie Galvez, Balay Mindanaw Senior Director Ariel Hernandez, and PinoyME Foundation President and CEO Dan Songco. The program launch held at the Ayala Museum was also attended by Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, ADB Philippine Country Director Richard Bolt, and Eisenhower Fellowship Trustee Derek Chilvers. Also present during the event were PNP-ARMM Regional Director Chief Superintendent Noel delos Reyes, the PNP Foundation Inc. officers headed by Rafael Dizon III, and the local government officials of Basilan. The strategic development program will focus on improving the selected communities’ governance standards, health and education indicators, peace and security initiatives, enterprise development and skills-based employment, and youth leadership development. The Ayala Young Leaders Congress, a youth leadership development program of Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), will support the program by training select Basileño youth leaders who can help uplift the lives of their fellowmen through good governance and responsible leadership. EFAP has also sought the support of multilateral and bilateral institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United States Agency for International Development, and Japan International Cooperation Agency, among others, to help strengthen this initiative. In a joint statement, EFAP fellows believe that “Basilan has the potential to swing back to its former glory if only enough effort were given to it by government and private sector organizations. It has the potential to be a rising star in the Bangsamoro region.” The Eisenhower Fellowships, named after former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was established in 1953 to work towards his aspiration for a “more prosperous, just, and peaceful world.” It identifies “innovative leaders from all professions” and inspires them to “leverage their own talents to better the world around them. Dxno RadyoKomunidad”
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 10:34:29 +0000
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