World Bank, UN provide assistance to support peace process in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The World Bank and the United Nations launched today a technical assistance program to support the peace process and the establishment of the Bangsamoro entity in Mindanao.

An agreement on setting up the Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacities (FASTRAC) was signed by representatives from the World Bank, UN, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the country.

FASTRAC, which will be implemented until 2016, will assist the MILF and the Philippine government in capacity-building to address key issues for the Bangsamoro such as governance, justice, combatant transition and security.

Under the agreement, the advisory facility will provide on- demand access to a pool of experts, training, policy advice, research, and international exchanges.

"Technical support of the UN and World Bank will give us access to ideas and practices that have been found successful in other parts of the world. It will help us facilitate local dialogue and consultation to help us draft the best possible Basic Law," said Al Haj Murad, chairman of the MILF.

On Dec.17, 2012, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III created the Transition Commission tasked to draft the proposed Basic Law that will govern the Bangsamoro.

The estimated budget for FASTRAC over three years is $7 million. FASTRAC and its activities will be initially financed through the UN Peace-Building Fund and the World Bank State and Peace Building Fund. Development partners will also be invited to contribute funds and expertise.