CCOOTTAABBAATTOO CCIITTYY …...d. Kabalikat Civic Communicators Association (KABALIKAT CIVICOM) e....

CCOOTTAABBAATTOO CCIITTYY CCOOAALLIITTIIOONN

FFOORR CCHHAANNGGEE ((44CC’’ss))

Implementation Spearheaded by:

MORO WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL CENTER, INC.

(MWDECC)

“Prevention of Election-Related

Violence during 2013 Barangay

Elections in Cotabato City” Project

Prevention of Election Related Violence (ERVs) during 2013 Baranagy Elections in Cotabato City Project /

Cotabato City Coalition for Change / September – December 2013

1 4C’s Terminal Report

able of Contents

List of Acronyms 2 List of Annexes 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

I. BACKGROUND 5

A. Project Description 5

B. The Implementing Partners/Responsible Partners 5

1. The Cotabato City Coalition for Change (4C’s) 5

2. The Moro Women Development and Cultural Center 6 (MWDECC), Inc.

3. Project Implementation and Management 6

II. OUTPUTS AND RESULTS 7

A. Preparatory Meeting and Planning 7

B. 4C’s Launching and Coordination Meetings 7

C. Community Orientation-Seminars 8

D. Clustered Candidates’ Education For a 9

E. Peace Covenant Signing and Kanduli 10

F. Monitoring of Election-Related Violence (ERVs) 10

G. Post-Election Assessment Forum 11 III. FINANCE 11

IV. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED, LESSONS LEARNED 11

AND RECOMMENDATIONS

V. PHOTO GALLERY 12 ANNEXES

T




ist of Acronyms

AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines AUSAID Australian Agency for International Development BET Board of Election Teller CCPO Cotabato City Police Office CFC Coalition for Change COMELEC Commission on Election CSO Civil Society Organization DEPED Department of Education ERV Election-Related Violence EU European Union KABALIKAT CIVICOM Kabalikat Civic Communicators Association LGU Local Government Unit MAPAD Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc. MBLT Marine Battalion Landing Team MILF Moro Islamic Liberation Front MNLF Moro National Liberation Front MWDECC Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. NGO Non-Government Organization NP Nonviolent Peaceforce PNP Philippine National Police PPCRV Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting SEED Sustainable Education and Enterprise Development Foundation TAF The Asia Foundation TMU Traffic Management Unit UNYPAD United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc.

L




ist of Annexes Annex 1 Brief Profile of 4C’s Member Organizations

Annex 2 Consolidated Implementation Plan

Annex 3 Proceedings of 4C’s Launching Activity

Annex 4 Details of Monitored Election-Related Violence (ERVs)

Annex 5 Proceedings of Post-Election Assessment Forum

L




xecutive Summary

This Terminal Report covers the period from September 16 to December 15, 2013 for the implementation of Prevention of Election-Related Violence (ERVs) Project implemented by the Cotabato City Coalition for Change (4C’s) spearheaded by the Moro Women Development and Cultural Center (MWDECC), Inc. with funding support from The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). This project was implemented in Cotabato City where violence and fraud are prevalent during the conduct of national or local elections. The 4C’s was organized in order to help minimize the occurrence of election-related violence in Cotabato City, in partnership and coordination with the security sector, election monitoring groups and other stakeholders that are concerned with ensuring peace and security in the province. This is also in line with the effort of the incumbent administration for electoral and political reforms. The 4C’s is the main implementer of this project in which its over-all objective is to help prevent the occurrence of election-related violence or incidents during the October 2013 Barangay elections in Cotabato City. Specifically, this project sought to: 1. To mitigate potential cases of election-related violence and incidence in the identified high

risks areas in Cotabato City in October 2013 Barangay Elections;

2. To sustain and strengthen linkages, cooperation and collaboration among Civil Society Organizations, Line agencies, Security Sector, and community members for electoral reforms.

To implement this project, the following activities were conducted: Preparatory Meeting and Planning; 4C’s Launching and Coordination Conference; Community Orientation-Seminars; Candidates’ Education Fora; Peace Covenant Signing and Kanduli; Monitoring of Election-Related Violence (ERVs), and Post-Election Assessment Forum. The Commission on Election (COMELEC), Department of Education (DepED), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and Nonviolent Peaceforce were 4C’s partners in the successful implementation of these activities. The major accomplishment of this project was the successful conduct of the October 28, 2013 Barangay elections where no major election-related violence broke and no failure of elections happened. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared the election to be generally peaceful and smoother than the last barangay elections in 2010. On November 28, 2013 during the mass oath taking of the winner candidates , the 4C’s was invited as guest speaker by the city government as an expression of their gratitude and acknowledgement on the efforts of the coalition in helping to prevent the occurrence of ERVs in Cotabato City.

E




I. BACKGROUND

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In Cotabato City, clan feuding or rido between clans is identified to be the primary cause of violence during the barangay election period. In the joint partners meeting on Addressing Election-related Violence conducted by the City PNP in August 28, 2013 and September 4, 2013, 12 out of 37 barangays were identified as high risk areas due to the presence of existing clan feuds within these areas that are still unresolved conflicts, particularly between the families and supporters of rival politicians who are anticipated to go against each other this October 2013 elections. Moreover, the presence of threat groups - Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) in some areas considered hotspots; including the presence of lawless groups that reside in these areas also provide a challenging environment for law enforcement, which put the security of the overall electoral process at risk.

Furthermore, barangay chairman is a highly contested position. It is because this position is vested with three (3) powers – the executive power that carries out and enforces the laws and ordinances, legislative power as presiding officer of the barangay council that formulate the legislative agenda, and judicial power that has the influence in settling conflicts in the community. It also becomes the instrument of mayor and others in higher position in acquiring the support of the masses.

Given this context, a grant was provided to Moro Women Development and Cultural Center,

Inc. (MWDECC) to spearhead and support the variety of activities of the coalition – Cotabato

City Coalition for Change (4C’s) – under the project, Prevention of Election Related Violence

during Barangay Elections 2013.

B. THE IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS/RESPONSIBLE PARTNERS

1. The Cotabato City Coalition for Change (4C’s)

Cotabato City Coalition for Change (4C’s) was collaboratively established by the Security Sector and Civil Society Organizations on August 30, 2013 together with its partner – The Asia Foundation (TAF) – to advance collective efforts and strengthen community participation towards fostering peaceful communities through addressing electoral fraud and clan feuds in the city. Below are the eight (8) members of 4C’s: a. Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO-PNP) b. Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 (MBLT-1) c. Civil Military Operation (CMO), 6th ID, PA d. Kabalikat Civic Communicators Association (KABALIKAT CIVICOM) e. Mindanao Action for Peace and Development (MAPAD) Initiatives, Inc. f. Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC) g. Sustainable Education and Enterprise Development (SEED) Foundation, Inc. h. United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. (UNYPAD)




List of 4C’s Officers

POSITION NAME

Chairman RAHIB L. KUDTO

Co-Chairman for Security Sector PSUPT ANGELYN S. MASIGON

Co-Chairman for CSOs ABDULMAGUID M. ANDONG

Secretary JOEL R. CADELIÑA

Treasurer BAINA T. SAMAYATIN

Information Officers SPO1 ROCHELLE P. EVANGELISTA

Project Officer BAINA T. SAMAYATIN

2. The Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc.

The Moro Women Development and Cultural Center (MWDECC), Inc. is a non-government organization that was founded in 2008 but officially registered at the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 22, 2009 with Registration Number CN200928142. This was created to provide the multifaceted needs of women especially Bangsamoro women in conflict-affected areas. It paves the avenue not only for Moro women’s personal development but their active involvement in the socio-economic and cultural development of the nation. The women behind this organization are committed to devote their skills, capacities and services to the fullest. The highest policy-making body of MWDECC is its Board of Trustees, while its office is headed by an Executive Director. MWDECC envisions a community where women’s participation in development undertakings is recognized and space for cultural preservation and education is provided. Its mission is to empower women through exposures and engagements in socio-economic and cultural development. MWDECC successfully implemented Programs and Projects, i.e. Capability Enhancement; Livelihood Programs; Relief, Health and Psychosocial Interventions; Early Recovery and Rehabilitation Intervention; Conflict Mitigation, and Child Protection. The MWDECC is operating Mindanao-wide but focuses on the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato. Its main target are the women and children of the conflict affected areas and other marginalized and oppressed communities.

3. Project Implementation and Management The Project implementation was spearheaded by the Moro Women Development and

Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC), a member of the Cotabato City Coalition for Change (4C’s).

All the 4C’s member organizations are responsible for implementing all the activities

funded under this grant, coordinating with the local governments and communities




covered, monitoring the conduct of activities in a timely fashion, and providing an

evaluation on the initial impact of the activities conducted.

II. OUTPUTS AND RESULTS

A. PREPARATORY MEETING AND PLANNING

(See Annex 2 for the Consolidated Implementation Plan)

On September 16 and 18, 2013, the Cotabato City Coalition for

Change (4C’s) conducted its Preparatory Meeting and Planning

held at the Office of PCR-CCPO, PC Hill, Barangay Rosary Heights

1, Cotabato City. The coalition came-up with an action plan for

the smooth implementation of the project. It was participated by

the 6 active members of 4C’s, including the 4 Station

Commanders of the CCPO. The 12 areas of concerns were also finalized.

B. LAUNCHING OF 4C’s AND COORDINATION CONFERENCE

(See Annex 3 for the Proceedings)

The Cotabato City Coalition for Change (4C’s) was established on August 30, 2013 and formally

launched on September 26, 2013 at the Alnor Convention Center, Sinsuat Avenue, Rosary

Heights 9, Cotabato City. The launching program was composed of 2 parts, i.e. Part 1:

Motorcade, and Part 2: Launching Proper Program.

The motorcade started at 8:00am led by Traffic Management

Unit of Cotabato City Police Office. The said motorcade was

participated by 5 civil society organizations and CCPO

headed by PSupt Angelyn S Masigon. They assembled and

started the motorcade in Cotabato City Plaza. The route of

the motorcade was Sinsuat Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Don

Rufino Alonzo Street, Bonifacio Street, Sinsuat Avenue, Gov.

Gutierrez Avenue, Bishop Mongeau Street, down to Notre Dame Village and going out to Lebak

Terminal, Sinsuat Avenue and ends at Alnor Convention Center. They arrived at the final

destination at exactly 8:45am.

The Proper Program formally started at 9am. The eight (8) 4C’s member organizations based

in Cotabato City including the security sector, i.e. CCPO-PNP, MBLT-1 and CMO (6ID, PA) were

still present together with its partner agencies such as Commission on Election (COMELEC),

Department of Education (DepED), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV),

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Media.

The highlights of this launching are the Keynote Message delivered by Atty. Udtog Tago, the

Provincial Election Supervisor-Maguindanao, Oath Taking of the 4C’s Officers led by the City




Director of CCPO PSSupt Rolen DC Balquin, DSC, PESE, and Signing of Pledge of Support by all

the participants.

C. COMMUNITY ORIENTATION-SEMINARS

The Community Orientation-Seminar was done in the selected

twelve (12) barangays of Cotabato City. It was conducted from

October 5-23, 2013. Below are the details of the said activities:

BARANGAYS DATE CONDUCTED

VENUE COMPOSITION OF

PARTICIPANTS

ASSIGNED ORGANIZATION

Poblacion Mother October 5

(morning)

Barangay Hall, Barangay

Mother Poblacion

Male – 37 Female – 27

CCPO Poblacion 7 October 6

(morning)

Barangay Hall,

Poblacion 7


Rosary Heights 8 October 10

(morning)

Brgy. Hall, Notre Dame

Village, Rosary Heights 8


SEED Foundation Rosary Heights 10 October 10

(afternoon)

Brgy. Hall, San Isidro St.,

Rosary Heights 10


Bagua Mother October 12

(morning)

Barangay Hall, Bagua

Mother

Male – 35 Female - 25

KABALIKAT

CIVICOM Tamontaka

Mother

October 12 Barangay Hall,

Tamontaka Mother

Male – 44 Female - 16

Tamontaka 4 October 13

(morning)

Barangay Hall,

Tamontaka 4

Male – 67

Female – 26 UNYPAD

Tamontaka 3 October 13

(afternoon)

Barangay Hall,

Tamontaka 3

Male – 48

Female – 34

Poblacion 6 October 13

(morning)

WOW Tantawan Garden,

Don Roman Vilo Street,

Poblacion 6

Male – 50

Female – 19 MAPAD

Initiatives Poblacion 5 October 13

(afternoon)

Barangay Hall, Jose Lim

St., Poblacion 5

Male – 46

Female – 26

Rosary Heights 5 October 16 Barangay Hall, Rosary

Heights 5

Male – 30

Female – 49 MWDECC

Kalanganan 1 October 23 Kalanganan 1 Male – 85

Female –28




D. CLUSTERED CANDIDATES’ EDUCATION FORA

The Candidates’ Education Fora were conducted from October

17-22, 2013 in all of the thirty seven (37) barangays of Cotabato

City, but clustered into twelve (12) clusters. But due to

unavailability of resource speakers from security sector and

Commission on Election (COMELEC), the six (6) barangays

assigned to MAPAD was further clustered into 1. Below are the

details of the said activities:

CLUSTERED BARANGAYS DATE CONDUCTED

VENUE COMPOSITION OF

PARTICIPANTS

ASSIGNED ORGANIZATI

ON

Tamontaka 3, Tamontaka

3, Tamontaka 4 &

Tamontaka 5

October 17

(morning)

Barangay

Gymnasium, Mother

Tamontaka

Male – 80

Female - 22

UNYPAD

Rosary Heights Mother &

Rosary Heights 6

October 18,

2013

Brgy. Gymnasium,

Rosary Heights 6

Male – 68

Female - 32

Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2,

Poblacion 3 & Poblacion 4

October 19

(morning)

Covered Court, Cot.

City Central Pilot

Elem., School

Male – 64

Female - 31

CCPO

Rosary Heights 1,

Poblacion 7 and Poblacion

Mother

October 19

(morning)

Covered Court, Cot.

City Central Pilot

Elem., School

Male – 60

Female - 16

Pob. 5, Pob. 6, Pob. 8, Pob.

9, Rosary Heights 2, and

Rosary Heights 13

October 21 WOW Tantawan

Garden, Don Roman

Vilo Street, Pob. 6

Male – 162

Female – 49 MAPAD

Initiatives

Bagua Mother, Bagua 2

and Bagua 3

October 21 San Roque Covered

Court, Bagua Mother

Male – 60

Female - 40 KABALIKAT

CIVICOM Tamontaka Mother,

Tamontaka 1 and

Kalanganan 2

October 22 Tamontaka Multi-

Purpose, Tamontaka

Mother

Male – 85

Female - 15

Rosary Heights 7, Rosary

Heights 8 and Rosary

Heights 9

October 22

(morning)

Covered Court, Notre

Dame Village, Rosary

Heights 8

Male – 117

Female - 31 SEED

Foundation Rosary Heights 10, Rosary

Heights 11 & Rosary

Heights 12

October 22

(afternoon)

Covered Court, Notre

Dame Village, Rosary

Heights 8

Male – 49

Female - 48

Kalanganan Mother,

Kalanganan 1 and Bagua 1

October 22

(morning)

Amirul Elementary

School, Kalanganan

Mother

Male – 80

Female - 24

MWDECC Rosary Heights 3, Rosary

Heights 4 & Rosary

Heights 5

October 22

(afternoon)

Old Barangay Hall, 9th

Street, RH 5

Male – 70

Female - 29




E. PEACE COVENANT SIGNING AND KANDULI

The Peace Covenant Signing and Kanduli was conducted

simultaneously and in a one venue on October 26, 2013 held

at the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC)

Gymnasium, Sinsuat Avenue, Barangay Rosary Heights 4,

Cotabato City. The highlights of the said activity are the

Signing of Peace Covenant by all candidates of Cotabato

City and a Kanduli to grace the activity. It was witnessed by

the Commission on Election (COMELEC), Philippine Marine

(MBLT-1), Philippine Army (CMO, 6ID), Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), Parish Pastoral

Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Nonviolent Peaceforce (CPC-IMT Member) and

different Civil Society Organizations (4C’s Member CSOs).

This activity not only targeted the 12 areas of concerns, but all the barangays of Cotabato City.

The management of the participants was clustered. There were 6-7 barangays assigned to

every 4C’s member.

F. ELECTION-RELATED VIOLENCE (ERVs) MONITORING

(See Annex 4 for the details of monitored ERVs)

On October 28, 2013, Monitors were organized to monitor election-related violence (ERVs)

happened during the actual conduct of election. Below are the polling places designated with

Monitors:

ORGANIZATION POLLING PLACE ADDRESS

CCPO Marquez Elementary School Buliao 1, Poblacion Mother

Datu Wata Siang Elementary School Datu Siang St., Poblacion 7

UNYPAD Pagalamatan Elementary School Barangay Tamontaka 3

Muhamadali Primary School Barangay Tamontaka 4

KABALIKAT CIVICOM

Mahad Kutawato Campo Muslim, Bagua Mother

Tamontaka Elementary School Tamontaka Mother

MAPAD Initiatives Cotabato City Central Pilot School SK Pendatun Corner, Sinsuat Avenue, Poblacion 5

SEED Foundation

Cotabato City High School (Canizares) Canizares Site, Rosary Heights 10

Notre Dame Village Elementary

School

Notre Dame Village, Rosary Heights 8




MWDECC

Lugay-Lugay Elementary School Kibatang Street, Lugay-Lugay, Bagua 1

Notre Dame Training Center (ETD) Notre Dame Avenue, Rosary Heights 3

G. POST-ELECTION ASSESSMENT FORUM

(See Annex 5 for the result)

The Post-Election Assessment Forum was conducted on

November 27, 2013 held at D & M Catering Services, Don

Gonzalo Javier St., Rosary Heights 7, Cotabato City. This

activity aimed to assess the whole implementation of the

project, identify strengths and weaknesses, lessons

learned and ways to move forward to achieve a peaceful

and develop Cotabato City. It was participated by

individuals coming from the five (5) member CSOs,

security sector, i.e. CCPO-PNP, MBLT-1 & CMO (6th ID, PA), representatives from DepED, City

Government, and Nonviolent Peaceforce (an INGO and member of CPC-IMT).

Based on the assessment, the target barangays exceeded from 12 to 37 barangays of Cotabato

City. The initiative became effective indicated by no major incident of ERVs and no failure of

election happened as compared to the 2010 barangay election.

III. FINANCE (See TAF209 and Ledger for details)

The total budget allocation is Php491,100. There were two payments of tranches for this project. The first tranche is amounting to Php441,990 representing the 90% of the total grant amount, which was released immediately upon signing of the Letter of Grant (LG), while the remaining 10% amounting to Php49,110 will be released upon submission and satisfactory review of narrative and financial reports.

The counterpart support was mostly on mobilization and supervision cost, administrative cost, vehicle and equipment rentals and communication cost is amounting to Php75,000.

IV. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED, LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS The major problem encountered by the coalition is the absence of Commission on Election (COMELEC) in almost all the activities of the 4C’s. This was due to the hectic schedules of the Election Officer of Cotabato City and no trained staff who can substitute. To respond to this problem, the 4C’s prepare its presentation and downloaded videos from the COMELEC Website to give input to the participants and able to respond to their queries. The




presence of station commanders of CCPO and their representatives also help a lot since they gave input and answered the questions and concerns of the participants. Another problem faced by the coalition was the time constraints. The coalition members encountered difficulties in matching the schedule of the activities with the availability of the candidates because it conflicted with the campaign period. The coalition learned that activities like these must be implemented with sufficient time. It is recommended that the COMELEC must train staff that they can delegate in activities that concern them. The coalition members must be also equipped with enough knowledge on the COMELEC Resolutions and Prohibited Acts.

V. PHOTO GALLERY

1. Preparatory Meeting and Planning

2. 4C’s Launching Ceremony




3. Community Orientation-Seminar

Poblacion Mother

Poblacion 7




Rosary Heights 8

Rosary Heights 10

Bagua Mother

Tamontaka Mother

Tamontaka 4




Tamontaka 3

Poblacion 6

Poblacion 5

Rosary Heights 5

Kalanganan 1




4. Candidates’ Education Fora

Tamontaka 2-5

MBRH and RH 6

Poblacion 1-4

RH 1, Pob. 7 and Pob. Mother

Pob. 5, Pob. 6, Pob. 8, Pob. 9, RH 2, and RH 13




Bagua Mother, Bagua 2 and Bagua 3

Tamontaka Mother, Tamontaka 1 and Kalanganan 2

Rosary Heights 7, Rosary Heights 8 and Rosary Heights 9

Rosary Heights 10, Rosary Heights 11 and Rosary Heights 12




Kalanganan Mother, Kalanganan 1 and Bagua 1

Rosary Heights 3, Rosary Heights 4 & Rosary Heights 5

5. Peace Covenant Signing and Kanduli




6. Monitoring of ERVs




7. Post-Election Assessment Forum

CCOOTTAABBAATTOO CCIITTYY …...d. Kabalikat Civic Communicators Association (KABALIKAT CIVICOM) e....

Documents

Transcript of CCOOTTAABBAATTOO CCIITTYY …...d. Kabalikat Civic Communicators Association (KABALIKAT CIVICOM) e....