NIA, OPAPP, signs MOA to support ‘demobilized’ MILF fighters

On Sep 21, 2020

NIA administrator, Ricardo Visaya and OPAPP secretary, Carlito Galvez, during the signing of their MOA that would benefit former MILF fighters held at Camp Aguinaldo. Both officials are former AFP Chief of Staff and both were assigned in Mindanao (NIA photo).

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) signed a ‘Memorandum of Agreement’ (MOA) with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), to support the return to civilian life of former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MOA, which was signed last September 11, 2020 at the ‘Dimalupig Hall’ of the Armed Forces at Camp Aguinaldo, is for the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation systems in the Bangsamoro region (BARMM).

NIA administrator Ricardo R. Visaya signed the memorandum for NIA, while Secretary Carlito Galvez signed for OPAPP.

Also present was Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who also signed another MOA with OPAPP.

Visaya and Galvez are both former AFP chief of staff who spent some of their military years in Mindanao.

“Anchored on achieving sustainable and comprehensive peace process in the country, this MOA aims to provide former members of the MILF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces combatants with social protection interventions needed to facilitate their safe and viable transition from a life of fighting to a life where peace prevails,” Visaya said, adding:

“NIA vows to collaborate with OPAPP to the best of its ability until our common goal is achieved.

“To Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., rest assured that our agency will give its invaluable support to the peace process particularly in this irrigation construction and rehabilitation program.”

NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Abraham B. Bagasin, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Romeo G. Gan, and NIA Management Consultant Atty. Asher Dolina, also attended the event.