Former MILF combatants undergo livelihood training

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 17): Former MILF combatants undergo livelihood training

One hundred and thirty-three former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants have successfully completed their skills training and entrepreneurship program. The training series for decommission combatants is part of the implementation of the agreement under the Terms of Reference of the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

On June 16, 2015, 145 former MILF combatants underwent the (initial) decommissioning process in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao with the ceremonial turnover of 51 high-powered and 24 crew-serve weapons of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). These decommissioned combatants underwent a registration, verification, and validation process and were provided with socio-economic packages to assist them in their transformation to peaceful civilian lives.

Out of the 145 decommissioned combatants, 133 decided to undergo different sets of skills training programs that were conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as part of the socio-economic track of the normalization process. The skills trainings include bread and pastry production, driving, carpentry, cookery, motorcycle/small engine repair, dressmaking/tailoring, automotive servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, and entrepreneurial skills training.

Aside from these, the former combatants also underwent trainings on Values Transformation and remedial classes on reading, writing and numeracy. They were also provided with cash-for-training assistance by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“With the assistance of the TESDA, DepEd and the Department of Social Work and Development and other government agencies, the decommissioned combatants are now accomplishing their respective trainings to prepare them towards transformation to unarmed civilians,” said GPH peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

Ferrer said that the active participation of the former combatants in the entire training and in the normalization process “shows their sincerity in peace-building and in concretely transforming from an armed group into peaceful, civilian lives.”

She also reiterated that despite the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), “we are still pushing for these activities for the government remains committed to what have been agreed upon in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”

“Even though the proposed BBL was not passed by the 16th Congress, the gains achieved in the Bangsamoro peace process throughout the decades have been tremendous. There is solid basis for the people of the Bangsamoro to remain hopeful and continue looking forward toward a better, peaceful future,” she added.

“The skills and entrepreneurial training program offers great opportunities for the decommissioned combatants,” said Hadzer Birowa, director of the socio-economic unit of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Birowa said the skills they learned, along with the livelihood packages that they will receive upon the completion of the entire training program, is envisioned to prepare them for sustainable livelihood when they fully transform from being combatants and mainstreamed into civilian communities.

Abdulaziz Andik, one of the decommissioned combatants who has devoted 39 years to fighting, chose to train in carpentry. He shared his feelings on the decommissioning program:

“Napakaganda ng training na ito kasi magagamit ko siya para sa mga anak ko saka mapagkakakitaan ko rin dun sa lugar namin. Kaya nagpapasalamat din kami sa mga nagtiyagang nagturo sa amin na mabigay nila yung kaalaman nila kahit na medyo nahihirapan sila magturo kasi nga matanda na kami kaya mabagal lang yung pag-iintindi ko pero pinipilit namin kasi gusto naming matuto saka para sa pamilya naman namin ito.”

Another trainee, Hadji Usman Akmad, retold his long history in the Bangsamoro army. He first became a member of the Ansarul Islam in 1971, then joined the Black Shirts, and for 39 years, was part of the Moro National Liberation Front. Now, as a member of the MILF, Hadji Usman is a decommissioned combatant.

At 73, he enrolled in the dressmaking course to help his only daughter in her small tailoring business. He feels positive towards the decommissioning program. “Masaya ako dahil wala na ako sa kabundukan. Pwede na akong pumunta sa Cotabato na walang sabit dahil civilian na ako.”

After choosing their training courses, each participant underwent a 35-day training (30-day skills and 5-day entrepreneurial) in different sites[1]. Starter toolkits will be given to them on April 25 this year upon completion of the entire program.‎

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) assistance will be delivered based on the counselling activities done and validated during home visitations.

Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua, TESDA Deputy Director General for Operations emphasized that the trainings designed for the decommissioned combatants are unique and special for it involved entrepreneurial skills and provision of tool kits. (OPAPP)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141460811038/former-milf-combatants-undergo-livelihood-training