Ex-MILF combatants receive P16-M rice assistance

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 11, 2021): Ex-MILF combatants receive P16-M rice assistance (By Noel Punzalan)

RICE AID. Five of the 106 former MILF combatants present their rice assistance from the government and its partners during simple turnover ceremonies held at the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Wednesday (Feb. 10, 2021). OPAPP Undersecretary David Diciano (inset) said that a total of 12,145 decommissioned MILF fighters are set to receive the rice assistance package across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of Kai Matalam - OPAPP Cotabato)

A total of 12,145 decommissioned combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are set to receive PHP16-million worth of rice assistance as part of the socio-economic intervention for the former rebels.

This came as a total of 106 former MILF fighters benefitted from the first batch of rice assistance during simple ceremonies held at MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Wednesday.

“This is just the start of the help that we will extend to you. There are more assistance to come,” Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary David Diciano, chair of the Government Peace Implementing Panel on the Bangsamoro Peace Accord, told the beneficiaries during the activity.

The rice assistance will benefit the rebels who were decommissioned in 2015 and 2019-2020, respectively, which covered the first and second phases of decommissioning.

It also aims to ease the burden among them and their families who have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Diciano said an assessment is currently being done by the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to determine their actual needs and develop more appropriate and sustainable and socio-economic interventions.

Meantime, Bangsamoro Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua described the activity as another achievement in the quest for successful peace endeavor and normalization, noting that rice is a fundamental need of everyone.

He said the same rice assistance package is scheduled to commence soon to decommissioned MILF rebels in other parts of the region that includes the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

The rice aid program is being carried out in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme that has been a long-time supporter of the GPH-MILF peace process.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1130324