GPH panel lauds Mindanao governors for helping kids of decommissioned MILF combatants

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): GPH panel lauds Mindanao governors for helping kids of decommissioned MILF combatants

Government peace panel member Senen Bacani praised today the efforts of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza to extend educational assistance to the children of decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.

“Marami ang gustong tumulong at maki-ambag para sa pagkakaroon ng tunay na kapayapaan at sa pagsiguro na ito ay mararamdaman ng mga kabataan. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga gaya ni Gov. Mangudadatu and Gov. Mendoza na nakikibahagi sa ating adhikain (Many want to help and to contribute in order to have genuine peace and that it is felt by the youth. We would like to thank the likes of Gov. Mangudadatu and Gov. Mendoza who are actively participating in our efforts),” Bacani said.

The Maguindanao provincial government has a scholarship initiative called Maguindanao Program on Education Assistance and Community Empowerment (MagPEACE).

Mangudadatu said that the kids of the decommissioned combatants who just graduated from high school would be offered full college subsidy. Similarly, Gov. Mendoza offered the same under North Cotabato’s “Study Now, Pay Never” program.

Both governors maintained that their scholarship programs were not dole outs.

“Those availing themselves of it will have to pay it back when they find jobs after graduating so that funds will still be available for future scholars,” Mangudadatu said.

Meanwhile, Mendoza explained that the scholars “do not have to pay us back with cash. They just have to render service for about two months.”

The scholarship programs are not part of the socio-economic packages that were given to the 145 MILF combatants after they turned in their weapons to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) in a ceremonial event last June 16.

Bacani underscored the role of the local government units in sustaining peace efforts and called on all chief executives in the region to follow the lead of the two governors.

"Ang edukasyon ay napakahalaga para sa isang mapayapa at magandang bukas ng ating mga kabataan (Education is very important for a peaceful and better future for our children.) I hope our local executives will follow the lead of Governors Mangudadatu and Mendoza so that all children will be able to go to school and be empowered ‎for better opportunities," he said.

Bacani also noted that these initiatives show that the sincerity of the MILF to the peace process are now being recognized. “Unti-unti nakikita na natin ang bunga ng pagpapakita ng sinseridad ng MILF sa peace process. Marami ang tumutulong upang magkaroon ng isang magandang bukas ang mga kabataan ng Bangsamoro (We are slowly beginning to see the fruits of the MILF’s sincerity to the peace process. Many are helping to ensure a better tomorrow for the Bangsamoro youth).‎"

President Benigno S. Aquino III, in a speech delivered during the ceremonial decommissioning, called on every Filipino to help in ensuring a smooth transition of MILF fighters to civilian lives and for their families and communities to experience normalcy.

“I believe that the process will only become easier from this point. Thus, I call on everyone: let us repay the trust they have shown us. Let us strive to reach the point in which we can say: We truly gave them every opportunity to change their lives and to reach their dreams,” the President said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=775275