USAID works with local governments in Mindanao to improve various aspects of local administration such as local economic policy reform, management of public services and enterprises, real property tax administration, and business licensing, local planning and budgeting, and human resource management. USAID also supports civil society and business groups in their effort to engage local governments in a continuing dialogue to promote transparent and accountable governance. In conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, USAID helps its partners in strengthening community-based dispute resolution mechanisms, which extend justice services to the poor and prevent clan disputes from escalating into violent conflict.
 
Mindanao Initiatives for Peace (MinPeace) Project
 
BACKGROUND
Conflict continues to be a key development issue in Mindanao. In 2005, the Philippine Human Development Report estimated that losses from conflict amount to PhP5 -7 billion annually. Violent conflict resulted in over 100,000 deaths in the past 3 decades. Conflict resolution is constrained by poor access of Mindanao citizens to legal and court services. Over the years, Bangsamoro or Muslim communities are relying on community-based conflict resolution activities as alternative mechanisms for attaining peace.
 
PURPOSE
Since October 2007, USAID/Philippines has been supporting the MinPeace Project of the Gerry Roxas Foundation to strengthen community-based conflict management processes in conflict-prone Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao, in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Development Authority. The project seeks to enable community leaders to become peace advocates and encourage them to utilize “community justice” structures, processes and activities to promote peace in their localities. The project also aims to highlight the perspectives of Muslim women on the conflict situation and enhance their role in peace building. MinPeace provides training, policy advocacy and community education support in 6 conflict-affected provinces: Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Norte, Basilan and Davao Oriental.
 
ACTIVITIES
The project works in 150 Bangsamoro barangays or communities in the 6 conflict-affected provinces. By June 2009, MinPeace has trained 471 Muslim peace advocates in community-based conflict resolution, conflict prevention, case documentation and case management. About a third of the peace advocates are Muslim women. The training was led by 36 trainers who were also honed by the project through an intensive trainer’s training program. Peace advocates trained by MinPeace are now working on over 1,200 cases for conflict resolution. Coaching and mentoring of trained peace advocates are ongoing. Several policy papers are also being developed for possible improvements in community justice, including the use of gender-sensitive approaches.
 

CONTACT INFORMATION
 
Agnes Villaruz
Chief of Party
Gerry Roxas Foundation
11th F, Auorora Tower, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel: (036) 621-1328/2832
Email: aqvillarruz@yahoo.com; grfmanila@gerryroxasfoundation.org