The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has returned to the Bureau of Treasury ( BTr) the Php 658 million budget allocated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) for the fourth phase of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioning process.

Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Cluster said these funds from the OPAPRU were originally intended for the provision of socio-economic interventions to another set or decommissioned MILF combatants as part of the normalization track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“We were supposed to proceed with the fourth phase of the decommissioning process this year. However, since there were delays with the finalization of the official list of beneficiaries, the DSWD and the OPAPRU arrived at the mutual decision to return the funds allocated for the said phase to the Bureau of Treasury,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said on Friday (December 27).

The DSWD, as part of the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and Communities (TFDCC) chaired by the OPAPRU, is among the agencies mandated to provide packages of assistance to decommissioned combatants (DCs) and their families in the form of cash grants, livelihood grants, and endorsement for skills training.

The list of verified MILF beneficiaries is one of the requirements needed by the DSWD to be able to proceed with the provision of assistance for the reintegration process of the DCs.

The DSWD, however, has not received the official list of target beneficiaries for the fourth phase.

“Eventually, we returned the funds to prevent any potential violations of audit regulations and ensure that public funds are utilized responsibly,” Undersecretary Tanjusay explained.

With this adjustment, the ISPSC undersecretary said the agency anticipates the swift provision of necessary documents and beneficiary lists for 2025 to enable the seamless fund releases for the decommissioning process of former MNLF combatants.

“While delays and bottlenecks may arise, the DSWD remains committed to advancing the peace process and ensuring the successful implementation of the normalization program.” Undersecretary Tanjusay pointed out.

“We want to reassure everyone that the national government’s dedication to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in BARMM will not be deterred,” the DSWD official said.

Signed by the Philippine government and the MILF in 2014, the normalization track under the CAB eyes to decommission a total of 40,000 MILF combatants in five phases.

The first to third phase has been completed, while the fourth and final phase aims to decommission 14,000 more MILF combatants and reintegrate them and their families into mainstream society. (LSJ)

Tagalog Version

DSWD ibinalik sa BTr Php658-M budget para sa decommissioned MILF dahil sa kawalan ng ‘beneficiary list’

Dahil sa kawalan ng beneficiary list, ibinalik ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa Bureau of Treasury ( BTr) ang Php 658 million budget na inilaan ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) para sa fourth phase ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioning process.

Ayon kay Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay ng Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Cluster, ang nasabing pondo mula sa OPAPRU ay nakalaan para gamitin sa socio-economic interventions ng mga decommissioned MILF combatants bilang parte ng normalization track sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“We were supposed to proceed with the fourth phase of the decommissioning process this year. However, since there were delays with the finalization of the official list of beneficiaries, the DSWD and the OPAPRU arrived at the mutual decision to return the funds allocated for the said phase to the Bureau of Treasury,” sabi ni Undersecretary Tanjusay.

Kabilang ang ahensya sa Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and Communities (TFDCC) para sa pagbibigay ng tulong tulad ng cash grants, livelihood grants at endorsement for skills training sa mga decommissioned combatants (DCs) at pamilya nito.

Ang listahan ng mga verified MILF beneficiaries ay isa sa mga requirements ng ahensya upang maibigay ang kinakailangang tulong para sa reintegration process ng mga DCs.

“Eventually, we returned the funds to prevent any potential violations of audit regulations and ensure that public funds are utilized responsibly,” sabi ni Undersecretary Tanjusay.

Dagdag pa ng opisyal “While delays and bottlenecks may arise, the DSWD remains committed to advancing the peace process and ensuring the successful implementation of the normalization program.”

“We want to reassure everyone that the national government’s dedication to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in BARMM will not be deterred,” sabi pa ni Undersecretary Tanjusay.# (MVC)