The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and Mindanao State University (MSU) recently awarded educational assistance to 171 children of decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants in Marawi City.
As part of the Educational Assistance Program, each student received checks for Php 25,000 per semester, aimed at supporting the education of children from families transitioning to peaceful civilian life under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
This program is part of broader efforts to assist decommissioned MILF combatants and their families, which include transitional cash assistance and various capacity-building initiatives.
With a 2024 budget of Php 54 million, this educational initiative supports over 1,000 students in Mindanao, providing each student with Php 50,000 annually.
Key leaders emphasized the importance of education in fostering peace and development in the region.
Officials from MSU and OPAPRU, including Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., urged the student-beneficiaries to leverage this opportunity to contribute positively to their families, communities, and the broader peace process in Mindanao.
“Take care of and make the most of the scholarships you have received. This is the result of your parents’ sacrifices. This will also be the key to helping you uplift your livelihood and that of your families, and to have a better future,” said Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
