COTABATO CITY—A total of 331 combatants, mostly composed of children, spouses, and grandchildren of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, received their National Competency II certificates after completing their skills training organized by several Technical Vocational Institutes (TVIs) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Thursday.
A series of graduation ceremonies for decommissioned MILF combatants, who have undergone skills training, were held this week in Maguindanao spearheaded by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD), in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), and Technical Vocational Institutes (TVIs).
Of the 331 participants from various TVIs, 67 trainees finished Dressmaking NC II and 30 trainees in Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II graduated from Ebrahim Institute of Technology, Inc.; 80 trainees of Bread and Pastry Production NC II from Foureych Institute of Technology and Learning Center, Inc; 64 trainees of Organic Agriculture Production NC II from Sajahatra Services Cooperative; 20 of Dressmaking NC II from Darussalam; and 30 trainees of Dressmaking NC II and 40 trainees of Bread and Pastry Production NC II from Farasan Institute of Technology, Inc.
Norjannah Omar, one of the graduates of dressmaking NC II, said she and her fellow graduates are now planning to start small business ventures to utilize skills they learned in training.
She emphasized that being a woman can contribute to do something, particularly for their daily needs.
“I have this confidence that I am capable to learn some skills which will serve as means to support my parents, even in a simple way. It is never too late for those like us to learn the programs offered by MBHTE-TESD,” Norjannah said.
“As a student, I wish to earn some extra income to support my studies. I’m also planning to build a small business where I can use my sewing skills,” she added.
Meanwhile, Sanabil A. Sabil, Component Lead of Capacity Development Section under OPAPRU conveyed a message of encouragement to the graduates to value their skills and take it as an opportunity to uplift their livelihood.
“For the decommissioned combatants, we want you to value the skills you’ve learned. We implement this program because our goal is to help decommissioned combatants for their livelihood and socio-economic development,” Sabil said.
“Even in the neighboring provinces of Maguindanao, skills training is gradually being conducted in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, BARMM island provinces, and some areas of Region X and XII,” Sabil added.
Moreover, Mohammad-Ali B. Diang, MBHTE-TESD Focal Person said the Bangsamoro government has several programs to meet the needs of former MILF, particularly on socio-economic progress.
“This is not the end of the assistance provided by the Bangsamoro Government, because those who have worked hard to start their own businesses will also receive allowances and tool kits,” Diang stressed.
On March 9, a similar activity was also held in Guindulungan, Maguindanao with 30 decommissioned MILF combatants who completed their training in dressmaking at Darussalam Institute of Technology, Inc.
Additional graduates include 25 trainees of Agricultural Crops Production NC II from Kaliyot B. Sali Peace Academy; and 25 trainees of Organic Agriculture Production NC II from Upi Agricultural.
Providing technical vocational training for former MILF combatants, including their families, is part of the livelihood and socio-economic development component of the Normalization Program of Executive Order No. 79 under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
(Johaira B. Sahidala/BIO)
