Aquino Admin's PAMANA Program extends CHED Study Grants to kin of former MNLF combatants

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Aquino Admin's PAMANA Program extends CHED Study Grants to kin of former MNLF combatants
 

Over 700 students who are relatives of former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants have availed of study grants under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program as part of the National Government’s commitment to bring socioeconomic programs to conflict affected and vulnerable communities.

Since 2013, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is implementing a Study Grant Program for former combatants and their next of kin who are unable to afford college education.

Among the 720 student-beneficiaries of the program is Nurol-Huda Sarail, 20, of Brgy. Tongsina in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, youngest of nine children of a former MNLF combatant.

“Kaya nung sinabi ng tatay ko na nag-text ang OPAPP [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process], laking tuwa ko kasi mayroon na akong rason para mas pagbutihan yung pag-aaral ko at may posibilidad na maipagpapatuloy ko at hindi na ako mahinto sa pag-aaral. (When my father informed me that OPAPP texted, I was very glad because I now have a reason to study harder. I was also happy because I wouldn’t have to delay my studies),” she said in Filipino.

Sarail is presently taking up Bachelor of Science in Teaching Arabic at the Mindanao State University in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

The 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the MNLF provides for the implementation of a “special socioeconomic, cultural and educational program to cater to the MNLF forces not absorbed into the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Special Regional Security Force.”

OPAPP Undersecretary Jose Lorena said the MNLF communities have expressed their deep appreciation to the National Government for its commitment to peace, especially in providing educational assistance to the family members of former MNLF combatants.

“Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa gobyerno na binigay sa atin ang responsibility na makipag-usap sa ating mga kapatid, kung gusto ng MNLF na ganito ay gusto rin namin, taga-rito rin kami at saka Moro rin kami (We are also extending our thankfulness to our government that we have given a chance to talk with our brothers, if MNLF wants like this we also desire for this, we are from here and we are also Moros).”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=846915