Guidelines for the Operationalization of the Bangasamoro Normalization Trust Fund

Country/entity
Philippines
Mindanao
Region
Asia and Pacific
Agreement name
Guidelines for the Operationalization of the Bangasamoro Normalization Trust Fund
Date
14 Dec 2017
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Stage
Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature
Territory
Peace process
Philippines - Mindanao process
Parties
For the GPH: USEC. Nabila A. Tan, Chair, GPH Implementing Panel
For the MILF: Mohagher Iqbal, Chair, MILF Implementing Panel
Third parties
Signed in the presence of: Dato' Kamarudin Bin Mustafa, Malaysian Facilitator and/or Special Adviser
Description
Agreement pertains to the operation of the Bangsomoro Trust Fund and expresses support for the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
Main category
Page 2, III Scope and Coverage,

c. Project Types

Economic facilitation for return to normal life affecting combatant and non-combatant
elements of the MILF, indigenous peoples, women, children, and internally displaced
persons


Page 4, VIII. Sustainability Strategies and Mechanisms

a. Genuine participation of beneficiaries - women, men, youth, and children - in all aspects
of project implementation. People with special needs such as widows, orphans, amnesty
grantees, released political prisoners and detainees, lPs, PWDs, lDPs, elderly, shall be
given appropriate support;

Women, girls and gender

Participation
Participation→Effective participation
Page 4, VIII. Sustainability Strategies and Mechanisms

a. Genuine participation of beneficiaries - women, men, youth, and children - in all aspects
of project implementation. People with special needs such as widows, orphans, amnesty
grantees, released political prisoners and detainees, IPs, PWDs, IDPs, elderly, shall be
given appropriate support;
Equality

No specific mention.

Particular groups of women

No specific mention.

International law

No specific mention.

New institutions

No specific mention.

Violence against women

No specific mention.

Transitional justice

No specific mention.

Institutional reform

No specific mention.

Development

No specific mention.

Implementation
Implementation→Women's role and consideration in implementation of the agreement
Page 4, VIII. Sustainability Strategies and Mechanisms

a. Genuine participation of beneficiaries - women, men, youth, and children - in all aspects
of project implementation. People with special needs such as widows, orphans, amnesty
grantees, released political prisoners and detainees, IPs, PWDs, IDPs, elderly, shall be
given appropriate support;
Other

No specific mention.

GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE BANGSAMORO NORMALIZATION TRUST FUND

Background and Rationale

The Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) is the multi-donor trust fund envisioned by the parties in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAS) and its Annex on Normalization through which urgent support , recurrent and investment budget cost will be released with efficiency , transparency and accountability in support of the process of normalization , whereby former combatants , their communities , and other vulnerable sectors can achieve their desired quality of life, including the pursuit of sustainable livelihood and political participation within a peaceful deliberative society .

It expresses the commitment of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the international community to the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Objective and Purpose

The purpose of the BNTF is to finance , coordinate and oversee delivery of assistance from international partners and other donors in the implementation of the normalization process, particularly for rehabilitation , reconstruction and development of Bangsamoro communities with special regard to decommissioned MILF combatants and vulnerable sectors.

The BNTF is to assist MILF combatants and their communities achieve their desired quality of life in a peaceful and inclusive manner.

The BNTF will also assist in the development of six (6) previously acknowledged MILF Camps with the end in view of transforming these areas into peaceful and productive communities .

Ill. Scope and Coverage a. Geographic Coverage

Bangsamoro communities

Other areas where decommissioned combatants (DCs) are located

Six previously acknowledged MILF camps

Sectoral

Decommissioned Combatants

Families of the DCs

Non-combatant MILF elements

Vulnerable individuals and sectors in the Bangsamoro1

1 See Annex on Normalization, Part G, item 5, and GPH-MILF Joint Statement on 1 1 February 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Project Types

Economic facilitation for return to normal life affecting combatant and non-combatant elements of the MILF, indigenous peoples, women , children, and internally displaced persons

Impact programs to address imbalances in development and infrastructures

Capacity building, institutional strengthening and operational requirements of normalization and transitional mechanisms

Psycho-social healing and reconciliation

Transitional justice and reconciliation initiatives

Other project types as may be agreed by Parties

Funding Sources

GPH 2

International donor agencies

Private sector

BNTF Fund Management Structure

Oversight Body

The GPH and MILF Peace Panels shall constitute and serve as the Oversight Body for the BNTF.

It shall be responsible for the strategic policy directions and guidance for the BNTF, specifically its objectives , purpose, scope, coverage, and allocation of funds.

Either Party may exercise veto power on decisions made by the Steering Committee .

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee shall provide operational policy guidance for the BNTF.

It shall be responsible for management directions, and shall make decisions on which programs and projects to fund as well as on the acceptance of donations , as guided by the provisions of the Annex on Normalization.

Specifically , the Steering Committee shall:

Provide operational policy guidelines in the overall management of the BNTF;

Review and approve the projects as guided by the policies and directions set by the Oversight Body and reflective of the objectives of the Annex on Normalization;

Identify strategies on how to efficiently and effectively utilize funds;

4.

Monitor and assess implementation of projects;

Accept donations in behalf of the BNTF.

2 see TOR of BNTF, Part V on Funding Sources signed on 30 May 2016.

Composition of the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee shall be composed of:

Two (2) representatives each from the GPH and MILF.

Any panel member may sit as one of the two representatives each from the GPH and MILF to the Steering Committee.

Two (2) representatives from the contributors to the Fund to be identified among themselves

Representative from the Fund Manager as ex-officio and non-voting member

Fund Manager

The BNTF shall be administered by a Fund Manager that shall be mutually identified by the Parties.

The Fund Manager shall receive policy guidance and direction from the Steering Committee, and provide accountability for the utilization of the BNTF.

It shall implement measures to ensure transparency and efficiency in the mobilization and utilization of resources .

Secretariat

The Steering Committee shall be supported by a Secretariat , whose operations shall likewise be supported by the BNTF.

The Secretariat shall provide technical and administrative assistance to the Steering Committee , including review of project proposals, monitoring of implementation of programs and projects, and other functions as necessary .

The Secretariat shall work in close coordination with the Fund Manager especially with respect to recommendations on fund allocations .

Implementation Mechanism

Open Facility where entities with legal personality may propose projects to the BNTF

Programmed Facility in accordance with normalization process deliverables

Implementing Partners

Government agencies

MILF agencies (e.g., Bangsamoro Development Agency , Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute)

CSOs

Academe

LGUs

Multi-lateral organizations

Duration

The Fund shall continue to exist until the signing of the Exit Agreement.

The status of any unexpended Fund balance shall be covered by the Terms of Reference for the Fund.

VIII.

Sustainability Strategies and Mechanismsa.

Genuine participation of beneficiaries - women, men, youth, and children - in all aspects of project implementation.

People with special needs such as widows , orphans, amnesty grantees, released political prisoners and detainees , IPs, PWDs, IDPs, elderly , shall be given appropriate support ;

a.Built in capacity building and institution strengthening component in the projects to be implemented;

b.Conscious strateg ies in creating and strengthening normalization mechanisms as vital institutions for the functioning of the Bangsamoro Government;

c.Inclusion of initiatives towards the transformation of the MILF from revolutionary to a social movement;

d.Linking of projects, especially its implementation, to formal institutions for sustainability and continuity ;

and

e.Due consideration to unique contexts and conflict situations in specific communities and sectors in the identification of projects.

f. Relationship with Other Funding Mechanisms and Programs

The Oversight Body shall issue the appropriate guidelines to govern the relationship of the Fund with other funding facilities and programs relating to normalization.

Done this 14 day of December 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FOR THE GPH:

FOR THE MILF:

5lit:

e3-

Chair, MILF Implementing Panel

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:

DATO' KAMARUDIN Bl

Malaysian Facilitator and/or Special Adviser