Starting Point
Engineer Aida M. Silongan is a public servant with over 30 years of experience. She is currently serving as the Minister of Science and Technology in the Bangsamoro Parliament. Hailing from Matalam, North Cotabato, she earned her civil engineering degree through scholarships and dedicated herself to community service. Engr. Silongan volunteered with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), focusing on women’s issues, establishing sub-committees, and serving as the Executive Secretary of the Social Welfare Committee (SWC-MILF).
Peace Journey
Engr. Silongan's achievements include being the first woman to serve in the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Board and co-founding the Al-Amanah Humanitarian Development Services Inc., which supports vulnerable groups. She played a key role in advocating for the Bangsamoro Basic Law and leading women’s organisations in Mindanao. Known as “Ate Aids”, she exemplifies dedication and vision in her pursuit of progress for the Bangsamoro.
Her significant contributions to Bangsamoro communities include managing projects like the Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Programme (MTF-RDP) with the World Bank. Under her supervision, the trust fund achieved a 0% corruption rate. She later worked as a Programme Management Officer for the Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), focusing on organic farming and infrastructure development. Following these projects, she co-founded the Al-Amanah Humanitarian Development Services Inc., which aimed to support vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. She also served as the lead convener of the Women’s Organisation Movement of Bangsamoro (WOMB), a federation of 30 women’s organisations in Mindanao.
Success Stories
She played a pivotal role in the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, also known as the BOL. Together with other members of the WOMB, she actively pursued initiatives, including lobbying with local officials and legislators during a period of uncertainty surrounding the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Additionally, they led street mobilisation efforts, organised manifestos, rallied support from the tripartite people, and participated in press conferences and interviews with mainstream media, all of which aided the peace process.