200 Bangsamoro Mujahideen scholars complete the Technical Vocational Courses under the flagship program of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission called Positive Peace Project (3Peace), in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic Higher And Technical Education Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD). on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in Cotabato City.
COTABATO CITY—A total of 200 Bangsamoro Mujahideen scholars from ten camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) completed the Technical Vocational Courses on Tuesday, Dec. 19 held at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in this city.
The graduates underwent training under the flagship program of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) called Positive Peace Project (3Peace), in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic Higher And Technical Education Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD).
3Peace aims to produce former young combatants who are trained and capacitated in socio-economic aspects ensuring their positive reintegration to become productive members of society.
In his inspiring message, BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong highlighted that this project is an opportunity to transform the lives of Mujahideen along with their families and become part of lasting peace and development.
“Our aim is not merely to reintegrate 200 young individuals into society, but to empower them as catalysts for positive change. We are focusing on viable socio-economic opportunities, leadership development, technical-vocational skills, and entrepreneurship across 10 camps of MILF and MNLF in the region,” Macasalong said.
He also mentioned the significant milestone of Bangsamoro youths in empowering society and encouraging them to become productive and functional civilians in their respective communities with the application of their skills training.
“It is our commitment to acknowledge and amplify their efforts. Collaboratively designing development opportunities with them is not just an investment in their future but a strategic step towards shaping a thriving Bangsamoro,” he added.
Furthermore, the beneficiary also received P10,000 worth of tool kits, a P7,000 to P8,000 training allowance, and a sole proprietorship grant of P20,000.
Meanwhile, Samra Abdullah, 25, from Libutan, Mamasapano Maguindanao Del Sur, and a cookery graduate, expressed her gratitude to BYC and MBHTE-TESD for providing the training and shared that she gained opportunities to start a business.
“I learned a lot in this program that I can apply at work. It was a privilege to be part of these achievements because it gives me knowledge and skills as needed in cookery,” Abdullah said.
“We’ve seen the unwavering efforts of the current government, they still prioritize the needs of youth and are vulnerable in grassroots areas, especially for those who have been at the forefront of the conflict,” she added.
Apart from skills training, recipients also underwent major identity transformation processes to become productive in their respective communities through a series of activities such as disarmament, provision of socio-economic benefits, confidence-building measures, and camp transformation, among others. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO)
