MEDCo-supported, Ongoing Programs and Projects

Phase 1 of BJSS Program was implemented during period 2001 – 2005; Phase 2 was implemented 2005 until June 2008. It is implemented through a grant under the Gerry Roxas Foundation with funding from USAID. The objective is to promote peace by strengthening community-based dispute resolution mechanisms. Likewise, the approach is to strengthen barangay justice and other indigenous systems of dispute settlement. It is centered on the work of volunteer mediators who attempt to settle community disputes.

Among the accomplishment of the Program are the following: (a) Resolved 5,377 disputes by BJAs from January. ’06 to October. ’07; (b) Strengthened the village justice system; (c) Integrated project innovations into local governance dispute resolution structures; (d) Reduced violent conflicts; (e) Helped prevent escalation of conflicts; (f) Enhanced the role of women as mediators of disputes

Moreover, the Mindanao Initiatives for Peace (MinPeace) Program is a follow through to the BJSS Program. Its objectives are the following: (a) Strengthen the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) institutional capacity in conflict prevention and resolution; (b) Enhance competencies of BDA volunteer mediators in resolving community disputes; (c) Integrate Islamic traditions into mainstream dispute resolution processes

BJSS' Progress to date:

When the program ended in June 2008, BJSS was able to increase the number of barangays in the ARMM from the targeted 1,200 to 1,333 in 91 municipalities. During the life of the project, BJSS was able to train 11,866 BJAs in facilitating culture-sensitive alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, counseling and related paralegal services. BJSS was able to document 10,528 disputes handled by BJAs in 76 municipalities which comprise 84% of the covered areas from February 2005 to March 2007.

BJSS was also able to organize 91 BJS organizations to ensure sustainability in advocacy and implementation of projects under their respective municipal sustainability plans. The continuity of the initiative in the target municipalities were also set through the institutionalization of the dispute monitoring system in all the areas covered by the project.

BJSS was also able to conduct research and advocacy initiatives such as the BJSS Post-implementation Study that focused on the application of competencies acquired from the BJSS trainings. The study revealed that about 65% of the BJAs trained by BJSS from 2002 to 2005 are still active.