In the midst of deepening socioeconomic challenges, structural barriers to essential services continue to limit opportunities for the Filipino people. The marginalized, vulnerable, and those without legal recognition—often living in geographically isolated and conflict-affected areas—are left behind. 

The Strengthening Legal Identity to Advance Rights and Inclusivity (SOLIDARITY) Project, implemented by IDEALS (Initiatives for Dialogue and Alternative Legal Services) and supported by the British Embassy and Misereor, provides free birth registration assistance to Former Members of Non-State Armed Groups (FMNSAGs), their families, and conflict-affected communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The project addresses the risk of statelessness caused by intergenerational non-registration of birth, years of prolonged mobility, and other sociopolitical barriers to civil registration. 

By strengthening legal identity, the project expands access to socioeconomic opportunities and supports communities in their transition to civilian life. This complements the mandate of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU)’s to promote reconciliation and unity among Filipinos, such as their efforts through the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Transformation Program and the oversight of the Comprehensive Peace Process. Through this alignment, the SOLIDARITY Project further strengthens communities’ sense of dignity, rights, and civic responsibility.

More than just a document, legal identity becomes a gateway to recognition, rights, and everyday life for people living on the margins. Here is a story of hope, unfolded in the province of Maguindanao del Sur:

Shifa, not her real name, is a community health leader in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, who helps  the community access vital health and social services.

Being the first-born daughter, Shifa (not her real name) followed in the footsteps of her father, a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front. 

“Sabi ng Tatay ko, kung ano ang kaya ng lalaki ay kaya rin ng babae.” (My father said, what a man can do, a woman can do too), Shifa recalled. This belief shaped her early on and helped her develop her leadership skills.

Through her expertise, Shifa became a leader in the MNLF who trains others in first aid and disaster preparedness during emergencies. This later became her major role as a woman leader: to provide care. She saw firsthand the difficulties her members faced in accessing healthcare, especially those unable to avail of PhilHealth due to the lack of a birth certificate.

When the SOLIDARITY project was introduced, both supported by the Misereor and British Embassy and implemented by IDEALS, the MNLF community readily embraced the birth registration services. The MNLF Central Committee had an internal assessment on how birth certificates could unlock access to other government social services and economic opportunities for their members. 

“Magkakaroon ka ng sarili mong identity, magkakaroon ka ng karapatan bilang isang tao, bilang isang Pilipino. Dahil hangga’t wala kang birth [certificate] yung karapatan mo [bilang] tao ay hindi mo maaangkin.” (You will have your own identity, you will have rights as a person, as a Filipino. Because as long as you don’t have a birth [certificate], you cannot claim your rights as a person), Shifa emphasized. 

With over thousands of individuals reached, MNLF combatants in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur were able to obtain their birth certificates through authenticated copies and late registration of birth. Shifa shared how her members are now able to access various government services and programs like PhilHealth, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and Walang Gutom Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) — all made possible by a single piece of paper showing their legal identity.

Additionally, ten of her members are now registered senior citizens after previously being denied due to the lack of supporting documents. Others have been able to apply for services that were once out of reach such as to apply for driver’s licenses, register marriages, and enroll their children in school.

“First time na kayo sa IDEALS yung talagang ang program ay para sa identity namin bilang MNLF.” (This IDEALS program is the first program that is truly for our identity as MNLF), Shifa said. 

Shifa also spoke about the divisions that persist among Moro groups in the region. When it comes to services and ayuda (assistance), some groups are left unprioritized — including the MNLF community to which she belongs. Because of this, she hopes for greater fairness and unity in the Bangsamoro, where access to support is no longer determined by faction.

“Start from the leaders, datus, and politicians down to the ground kasi sa ground madali na lang yan, mahirap siya pero [kaya] unti-unti.” (Start from the leaders, datus, and politicians down to the ground, because on the ground it becomes easier. It is difficult, but [it can be done] little by little), she added. 

For Shifa, legal identity plays an important role in this vision. She explained how something as simple as a birth certificate can influence a person’s sense of responsibility. 

“‘Yung tao ay matakot nang gumawa ng masama…maalagaan mo na yung pangalan mo kasi rehistrado ka na.” (People will be afraid to do wrong…because you can now take care of your name since you are already registered), she said. 

“Ang struggle namin sa ngayon ay nasa dulo na ng ballpen.” (Our struggle now is at the tip of the ballpen). With this, she affirmed their community’s commitment to shift from armed struggle to building a future rooted in education and dignity for the next generation.

*The project beneficiary chose not to disclose her name and publicize her face for security reasons.

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The Strengthening Legal Identity to Advance Rights and Inclusivity (SOLIDARITY) Project is supported by Misereor and implemented by IDEALS (Initiatives for Dialogue and Alternative Legal Services). This initiative supports communities to have strengthened legal identity and access to socioeconomic services to Former Members of Non-State Armed Groups (FMNSAGs), their families, and conflict-affected communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The project provides free birth registration to identified communities, linking them to government services such as PhilHealth and educational assistance, while also assisting former combatants with amnesty applications to support their reintegration and access to socioeconomic benefits.  As of this writing, the project has successfully registered 4,739 individuals under Misereor’s support.