BASILAN...

the Normalization Program also hinges on the need to instill local ownership and accountability of LGUs to the CAB. This is essential in ensuring the convergence of local efforts under EO 79 of 2019, as it aims to broaden the spectrum of participation of all stakeholders at the community level.

The LNI is a powerful program that allows the parties to tailor-fit their initiatives to the unique needs and characteristics of each community. The program’s community-driven approach empowers local communities, promotes inclusivity, and ensures that development efforts are sustainable and effective.

Strong PLGU, security sector partnership

For his part, Governor Salliman Hataman said the "inspiration" for LNI in Basilan came from the provincial government’s campaign against the AbuSayyaf group.

"That time, there was no proper policy on how to deal with members of the Abu Sayyaf who are willing to mainstream back to the society. Then, this snowballs, as we implement the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Management Program," he said in Filipino.

At present, the governor said, the provincial government of Basilan and the 101st Infantry Brigade headed by BGen. Alvin Luzon has already stenciled at least 4, 500 firearms and recovered 500 firearms in the island- province.

"We need to level up our peace interventions. The result of LNI will help in the overall peace of the island province of Basilan, the BARMM regional government, and the country," Hataman said.

Meanwhile, LtGen. William N. Gonzales, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), gave the assurance that WestMinCom will fully support the LNI’s implementation.

"This is a testament that genuine and lasting peace cannot only be achieved through armed force but more so through a mutual understanding and dialogue," Gonzales said.

"Rest assured that the team WestMinCom shall definitely endeavor to support programs or projects that would benefit the communities in our area of operations," he pledged.

"More importantly, we must be committed to sustaining the implementation of the campaigns and shall accomplish the initiatives that we are supposed to undertake," Gonzales added.

According to Galvez, the success of the LNI is anchored in maintaining "an open line of communication and collaboration."

"A community empowered is a community transformed. Each of us has an important role to play in transforming Basilan into a community where peace, hope, understanding, prosperity reign supreme,” he said

“All the interventions that we will be carrying out hope to address the decades-long cycle of armed conflict in Basilan and the whole of Mindanao," the peace adviser underscored.