Gov’t begins ‘transformation’ of MNLF members in Sulu
ILIGAN CITY—-The national government has started implementing in Sulu province its Transformation Program for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
In a statement Friday, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said at least 650 former Moro rebels in Sulu were expected to undergo a profiling process this year for them to receive socioeconomic assistance under the program that was jointly formulated by the government and the MNLF leadership.
Personnel of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) profiled 480 MNLF members from June 24 to June 28.
The former combatants were handed P45,000 each representing transitional cash assistance from the national government, resources that they hope to use while the more strategic socioeconomic development assistance for their communities are being worked out.
On top of this, 537 MNLF firearms were documented from the towns of Patikul and Talipao, the first step in the process that one has to undertake in order to qualify for inclusion as beneficiary of the program.
“The government shares a common vision, and that is, to uplift the lives of our MNLF brothers and sisters, and bring long-lasting peace and sustainable development within the MNLF communities and across the Bangsamoro and Mindanao,” Galvez said.
Pamana program
Galvez said the program echoes the hopes of President Marcos “to bring about the complete transformation of combatants, their families, and communities.”
The MNLF Transformation Program was launched last September 2023 in Basilan, founded on the peace agreement the group forged with the government in 1996. It aims to help uplift the lives of the MNLF combatants, their communities, and their families and aid them to become productive, empowered, and self-reliant individuals.
In 2024, development activities for MNLF communities were allocated P130 million in the national budget. Another P122 million is allocated for this year, and P373 million for next year.
The funds are intended for roads, livelihood, electrification, water system, and housing projects, all under the flagship Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Pamana.
In August 2024, around 2,000 MNLF combatants from the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Cotabato, and Cotabato City were profiled.
“This MNLF Transformation Program is helpful to the MNLF combatants not only for the livelihood cash assistance but also to their hearts and minds, indicating that the government is still continuing the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement,” said Mohammad John Usman, of the MNLF Lupah Sug State Committee.
Under the socio-economic component of the program, the profiled combatants shall receive transitional cash assistance of P45,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, rice provision from the National Food Authority and Opapru, health insurance from PhilHealth, and civil registration assistance from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
