European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron on Monday, Jan. 16, underscored the role the regional bloc plays in bringing lasting peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through key initiatives aimed at empowering the citizenry.
In a series of tweets, the envoy thanked the EU’s BARMM partners in moving forward with socioeconomic programs to help the region.
“Today, I was very happy to join our partners in the BARMM to mark how our projects @subatra_ph and #PROACTIVE are moving forward. We are proud to help strengthen peace in the #BARMM through our support of both governance and development initiatives,” he wrote.
Veron also posted photos of himself together with BARMM leaders during his visit to the region.
SUBATRA or Suporta sa Bangsamoro Transition was developed and supported by the EU “to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure and inclusively developed Mindanao.”
PROACTIVE or Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment was launched to create viable livelihoods in former armed camps by supporting social enterprises.
Both programs were designed to help in the Bangsamoro transition.
Veron also shared that he had met with BARMM’s Minister of Education Mohagher Iqbal to discuss new plans.
“Technical and vocational education or #TVET is one of the new areas of cooperation for @EUinthePH & @BangsamoroGovt and can set the basis for inclusive development and normalisation,” he said.
The envoy also met with Cotabato Mayor Bruce Matabalao from whom he learned “about the city’s future plans and how the EU’s peace and socioeconomic programmes are contributing to its transformation.”
“We @EUinthePH support Cotabato LGU’s work to make development inclusive and people centered,” Veron promised.
In another tweet, the EU ambassador was photographed with Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ BARMM.
The envoy said the Grand Mufti “has shown great leadership in the combat of gender-based violence,” which is essential to EU because it “is committed to keep putting gender equality at the center of its programmes, supporting peace and development in the BARMM.”