MILF chief to get PhilHealth card

MANILA, Philippines - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim will get a PhilHealth insurance card as a symbol of basic social services that members of the former secessionist movement will enjoy ahead of the signing of the final peace agreement with the government.

The ceremonial turnover of health cards to Ebrahim and his men is part of the project “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” that will be launched tomorrow at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute compound in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“It’s all systems go now for the event,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview yesterday over radio dzRB.

“So far, only little details are still being fixed, but it looks like the government’s launching (of the project) will push through,” Valte said.

She said the event would usher the provision of basic services to MILF communities.

“This is a socioeconomic initiative of the Office of the President.”

“This is continuous. I understand that the program will run for at least a year to a year and a half. The target is really to deliver the basic social services that the members of the MILF did not access when they were actively pursuing their cause,” Valte said.

“So now, again, as part of just and lasting peace that we are hoping for, these social services will continue,” Valte said.

Officials said the project was a show of sincerity between the government and the MILF as President Aquino would be at the program ceremony tomorrow.

Murad and other MILF members went to Malacañang last October for the signing of the framework agreement between them and the government.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the strong government-MILF partnership has become more evident as both sides work together in identifying beneficiaries and their immediate needs which the “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” program would address.

“I am so proud of the Filipinos, of the people from both sides of the table. The people who were firing guns at each other are now sitting together and talking how to make this work. That is the victory already,” Almendras said during a press conference on Thursday in Cotabato City.

The program aims to uplift health, education and livelihood conditions of MILF communities.

The group has been collaborating with the government in naming the target beneficiaries of services to be delivered by government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“It’s a process of getting to know each other. And so far, it’s been wonderful. They (MILF) also want to test if this will work. They also want to test how sincere we are,” Almendras said.

In October 2012, the government and the MILF signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, signifying their strong commitment to forging a comprehensive agreement to end decades old armed conflict in Mindanao.