MANILA, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fully supports the delivery of reproductive health services to women in Bangsamoro communities, especially in conflict areas. 

“This is a very good move because it will enlighten and will give the right information to our people regarding reproductive health,” said MILF chief Al Haj Murad during the signing of the agreement between the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The partnership aims to improve the delivery of reproductive health services – especially maternal and infant care – to residents in conflict areas.

According to Murad, UNFPA’s close coordination with Muslim Religious Leaders (MRLs) in Mindanao will provide a better contextualization of family planning in relation to Islam. Family planning is often misunderstood due to lack of information, he said.

“While reproductive health is very much welcome as far as MILF is concerned, there are biases against family planning among the Muslim population because of issues that are not fairly addressed,” Murad explained.

Under this collaboration and the campaign “Ligtas Buntis,” maternal care (pre and post pregnancy) and family planning services will be made available in 10 major MILF camps.

UNFPA will develop an existing health center at Camp Darapanan to become a birthing center for women in nearby communities. This center will serve as a model for rolling out these services in other areas.

Health personnel will also be trained on basic emergency obstetric and newborn care.

Decades of conflict have stunted the region’s growth. It has the highest proportion of families living below the poverty line in the country at 47%.

The Aquino administration has signed a peace deal with the MILF aimed at ending the conflict and speeding up development. Congress is deliberating the proposed Bangsamoro Basic law that will implement the peace deal. 

The reproductive health law is also one of the government’s major policy achievements during its term. The Catholic Church vigorously opposed it, which makes the MILF’s support for it significant. – Rappler.com