600 decommissioned MILF combatants to avail of EU’S technical skills project

DAVAO CITY—ABOUT 600 decommissioned combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front would undergo technicalvocational training to prepare and help them adapt to civilian life under the normalization scheme of the peace agreement.

The assistance was extended by the European Union’s (EU) “Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment,” or “Proactive,” following the ceremonial signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and United Nations Development Programme in Cotabato City January 16.

UNDP Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran said the EU’S “generous support” to the Philippines, amounting to $4.6 million in two years, would contribute to “creating enabling environment for sustainable employment and enterprise development, delivered initial peace dividends and promoting confidence-building, through improved access to basic communal services and facilities.”

Ramachandran said the project would facilitate social cohesion and community resilience by enhancing the capacities and participation of women, youth, and faith-based leaders in peace-building.

“This would also promote a culture of peace and conflict transformation,” he added.

The UNDP and MBHTE’S partnership involves vocational skill development training and accreditation to pursue “richer environment for income source” for the 600 decommissioned combatants, he said.

The project wanted to facilitate the transition and transformation of the six major declared camps of the MILF into peaceful and productive communities, the Bangsamoro Information Office said.

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said the “Government of the Day’s engagement with the EU has been very productive”.

“We hope this partnership will continue until the exit agreement is signed between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic

Liberation Front. In terms of governance and peace, we journey together between the EU and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” Iqbal said. He also chairs the MILF Peace Implementing Panel.

Iqbal said the international community, especially the EU has been a steady partner in the search for the elusive peace in Mindanao.

“The participation and role of the EU are very crucial and one of the highlights of this engagement is the decommissioning of combatants of the MILF. We are very happy one of the interventions of the EU is the skills training for the decommissioned MILF combatants,” he added.

EU Ambassador Luc Véron, Head of EU delegation Christoph Wagner, Member of Bangsamoro Parliament Ali Salik, who is co-chairman of the Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation-milf, MP Aida Silongan, who is co-chairman of Task Force Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities-milf, and Programme Manager of EU delegation Sakura Moretto.