Jolo, Sulu | Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS)-BARMM commenced the series of Community-Based Training on Mediation and Values Transformation (CBT-MVT) in the different municipalities of the province of Sulu on Saturday (July 10, 2021).
The first set of participants who received the capacity training were forty-six (46) individuals consisting of local mediators, traditional leaders, members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, and barangay officials from the component barangays of the municipalities of Jolo and Patikul. The CBT-MVT aims to capacitate local mediators in settling disputes. Part of the lectures are: Basics of Mediation, Early Warning and Early Response, and Values Transformation, among others. This was held at Notre Dame Review Center, Kasulutan Village, Jolo, and Sulu.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Jolo, Sulu was represented by its Assistant Municipal Planning and Development Officer, Mohammad Nur L. Alih. He delivered a Welcome Remarks and received the participants and MPOS personnel with warm remarks. According to him, “Itong training ang isa sa pinaka kailangan ng mga local mediators sa lugar namin para ma-enhance ang skills and knowledge namin sa local mediation lalo na ang values transformation para sa moral governance”. He also said, “Tutulong kami para mataguyod ang kapayapaan dito sa ating lugar”. On behalf of Minister Hussein P. Muñoz, Community Affairs Officer III of Sulu Province, Al-Shameir H. Aminulla, extended gratitude to the participants and local government representatives for their invaluable support.
Executive Director Rosemain Abduraji, MPA, of Tumikang Sama-sama Inc. – Mediation for Peace discussed the Fundamentals of Conflict. She defined conflict as perceived differences in issue positions between two or more parties at the same moment in time. Further, she also gave her insights on the nature of conflict in Sulu which, according to her, is inevitable. She also gave recommendations for the MPOS such as forming a group of local mediators coming from the municipalities of Jolo and Patikul as they shared commonalities in terms of conflict. Moreover, ED Abduraji also delivered a lecture on “Conflict Early Warning and Response in the Communities.” This is in line with one of the duties and functions of the MPOS, that is, to establish a community-based early warning and early response (EWER) and conflict reporting system. She emphasized that generally, EWER is a mechanism for preventing and addressing conflicts. It focuses on the systematic collection, processing and analysis of information (qualitative or quantitative) about conflict situations for the purpose of warning decision-makers so that they could take appropriate actions.
Deputy Mufti Abdurahman Alhari of Jolo Ulama Council for Peace and Development was also present during the activity. He signified his full support to the programs and activities of the MPOS. According to him, “Ang Local mediator ay dapat just at pantay sa pag-settle ng conflict at siguraduhin na ang pag-settle ng rido ay may basbas at naaayon sa utos ng Allah (SWT).” He even discussed Prophet Mohammad’s life and values as a good leader.” He ended his discussion with a statement, “Maging mabuting tao at mabait sa lahat, parents, sa Prophet, at sa Allah (SWT). Kapag maging mabait tayong lahat wala tayong kakaharaping conflict.”
The activity was concluded with impressions from the participants. Fatma Rasul, one of the participants expressed her gratitude for the MPOS. She said, “Nagpapasalamat po kami na nabigyan kami ng chance na maka-attend sa lecture na ito. Maraming Salamat kay Minister Muñoz na magkaroon ng ganitong pulong-pulong dito sa Sulu. Salamat po sa pag-imbita sa amin. Malaki ang impact po nito sa amin. Nabigyan kami ng knowledge kung paano kami mag-mediate sa mga gulo sa [aming] barangay. Ito ay additional knowledge at hindi ito mabibili ng kahit sino kasi nabigyan talaga kami ng ganitong pag-aaral. Maraming Salamat po.”
Other CBT-MVT will also be implemented in the other municipalities of the province. This initiative is part of the ministry’s aspiration to establish enduring peace on the basis of justice and balanced society.
