Education, livelihood assistance and financial aid await combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front after decommissioning their weapons and returning to civilian life, government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said Sunday.
In an interview aired over dzBB radio, Ferrer said phase one of the decommissioning process will begin Tuesday with the ceremonial turnover of 55 high-powered firearms and 20 crew-served weapons.
A total of 145 fighters belonging to the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces have volunteered to undergo the initial stage of the process.
President Benigno Aquino III is expected to be the guest of honor at the symbolic turnover, which will be done at the old Capitol building in Maguindanao.
After decommissioning their weapons, the combatants will receive various forms of socioeconomic support from the government to help them in their transition to civilian life.
According to Ferrer, among the forms of relief the decommissioned MILF rebels will receive include cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, college scholarships for those who want to continue their tertiary education, or the opportunity to avail themselves of technical and vocational training from the Technical Skills and Development Training Authority (TESDA).
Fighters who would like to improve their literacy can also enroll in Alternative Learning Centers supervised by the Department of Education.
No housing assistance for now
After obtaining the necessary skills, the combatants will receive livelihood assistance in kind, Ferrer said.
“Kung halimbawa sila ay nag-aral ng vulcanizing, kasama sa socioeconomic package na in kind ‘yung implements para sa pagtatayo ng vulcanizing shop. Kung ang kalakhan naman sa kanila ay mananatili sa agrikultura, maaaring cattle or iba pang livestock at implements,” she explained.
Asked if shelter assistance is part of the programs lined up for the MILF fighters, Ferrer said it isn't in the books for now but the government remains open to collaborating with organizations for future housing projects.
“Hindi natin sinasara ang posibilidad na magde-develop tayo ng housing sites later on in partnerships with some organizations like Gawad Kalinga. Basta ang importante lang, we need to identify yung lugar, ano yung status ng lupa. We’re also exploring that as part of the overall transformation na gusto nating mangyari sa mga communities,” she said.
Since the normalization process is set to be in full swing upon the start of the decommissioning of weapons, Ferrer said the government is now working towards ending the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, the socio-economic program launched by Aquino to uplift the health, education, and livelihood conditions of MILF communities.
“We’re now working on closing the [Sajahatra Bangsamoro] package. It’s just a temporary package. Ang papalit dyan ay ‘yung mga socio-economic programs under the annex on normalization,” she said.
Finish the process
Despite Congress’ failure to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law by the adjournment of the second regular session on June 11, Ferrer said she remains optimistic that the measure, which is a product of the peace agreement signed by the national government and MILF, will eventually be passed into law.
“We’ve gone this far. Ang hirap naman na basta na lamang i-abandon ng Senado at Kongreso ang naumpisahan na nilang proseso… Ang pakiusap natin sa ating mga mambabatas, tapusin naman na ngayon [ang pagpasa sa BBL] para sa 2016, tuluy-tuloy na tayo, wala na ‘yung ganitong klaseng problema,” she said.
The House of Representatives has reset the proposed BBL’s passage to September while the Senate eyes its approval of the bill by October.
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