July 09, 2024 - In a significant step towards fostering peace and development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) disbursed financial aid to 94 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants on July 4 in Lamitan City, Basilan.
Each beneficiary received Php45,000 to kickstart entrepreneurial ventures within their communities, aligning with ongoing peace agreements spearheaded by the government.
Leading the distribution were DSWD Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay and Assistant Secretary Arnel Garcia of the Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) cluster, alongside DSWD Field Office-9 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ma. Socorro Macaso.
Undersecretary Tanjusay underscored DSWD’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MNLF peace efforts. Initiatives such as the Bangsamoro Transitory Family Support Package (BTFSP) and cash-for-work programs were highlighted as pivotal contributions to this cause.
Emphasizing unity in nation-building, Tanjusay voiced full support for OPAPRU’s peace and development initiatives, urging MNLF combatants to join hands with the government.
The provision of BTFSP is integral to the MNLF Transformation Program, anchored in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the GPH and the MNLF.
Additionally, the DSWD delegation paid a courtesy visit to Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay to discuss collaborative efforts, including welfare programs and disaster assistance.
Mayor Furigay affirmed the city government’s commitment to supporting development projects in partnership with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the national government.
Looking ahead, DSWD and OPAPRU are slated to continue MNLF verification and socio-economic profiling activities in BARMM, leveraging support from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and Mindanao State University (MSU).
The recent financial aid distribution underscores the government’s proactive stance in advancing peace, reconciliation, and sustainable development in conflict-affected areas.