In an effort to foster peace in war-torn regions in the country, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to assist former members of various non-state groups, violent extremist groups, and adults and children in armed-conflict situations.
“This year alone, we have provided cash assistance and family food packs (FFPs) to more than 4,000 former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte,” Undersecretary for Inclusive – Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Alan Tanjusay said.
A total of 77,089 decommissioned combatants and their families were also assessed by the DSWD and underwent cross-matching procedures to determine their eligibility for the Social Pension for indigent senior citizens and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The agency also partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to provide skills training to the former combatants. “Additionally, we want to help former combatants to develop new skills and acquire training certifications. That is why we coordinated with the Tesda so they can offer vocational training for them,” Tanjusay said.
He said former combatants from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato, received training on masonry, massage therapy, electrical installation, dressmaking, and organic agriculture.
