In an effort to foster peace in armed-conflict 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 on Monday (December 2).

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,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

According to the senior DSWD official, former combatants from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato received training for masonry, massage therapy, electrical installation, dressmaking, and organic agriculture.

Case management and project development workers of the DSWD also conducted regular home visitation and re-engagement activities with former combatants in the Davao region.

The agency also carried out validation and assessments for shelter assistance in Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao del Sur and Camp Bilal in Monai, Lanao del Norte upon the request of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). # (YADP)