SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO—To cultivate the aspect of livelihood and socio-economic development of the decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, a total of 185 members completed and received their certificates of skills training led by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education – Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) on Monday, Feb. 21, in this province.
The training is pursuant to Executive Order No. 79, implementing the annex on Normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro which is supported by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and Technical Vocational Institutes (TVIs).
MBHTE Deputy Minister Haron S. Meling encouraged the decommissioned combatants to study and participate in the various skills training offered in the region.
“I’m hoping that this will help you with your socio-economic development [and] I challenge you all to learn some skills which you can use as another source of income,” Meling said.
Zaiton Tagadaya, one of the completers, said he is confident that he can apply the skills learned to different companies, specifically in carpentry, after completing more than a month of training at Awang Technical Vocational Institute.
“I know that through this, I will be able to provide a good life for my family. Nothing is impossible if you have a dream,” Tagadaya said.
Meanwhile, Salamat D. Dimasimpan, a graduate of bread and pastry production is planning to build a small business saying, “life is hard as a farmer and I believe that this program will give us another way to have a source of income.”
The mass graduation of 185 participants was conducted in five TVIs. Of which, 15 trainees of Carpentry graduated from Goldtown Technological Institute, Inc.; 20 trainees of Bread and Pastry Production NC II from Farasan Institutes of Technology, Inc.; 20 trainees of Carpentry NC II from Lamalan Balis Flash Image Learning Center, Inc.; 60 trainees of Carpentry NC II from Awang Technical Vocational Institute, Inc.; 45 trainees of Produce Organic Fertilizer and 25 trainees of Produce Organic Concoctions and Extracts from Upi Agricultural School.
After the training, the decommissioned combatants were given allowance and necessary equipment for them to establish their respective businesses. (Johaira B. Sahidala/BIO)
