Lamitan City, Basilan – December 14, 2024 — In a significant step towards fostering sustainable peace and development, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), facilitated the disbursement of funds under the Cash-for-Work Program. The event, held at the Datu Dizal Cultural Center in Lamitan City, benefited 560 profiled combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The Cash-for-Work Program is a core component of the MNLF Transformation Program, which aims to provide income-generating opportunities while contributing to community development in areas previously impacted by conflict. This initiative underscores the commitment of the government and the MNLF to empowering local communities and ensuring long-term peace in the region.
During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Serapion L. Lagud Jr., Commanding Officer of the 18th Infantry Battalion, delivered a message on behalf of Brigadier General Alvin V. Luzon, Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade. The message highlighted the program’s importance as a testament to unity and collaboration among various stakeholders working to reintegrate former combatants into civilian life. It also emphasized the vital contributions of multiple government agencies and the steadfast cooperation of the MNLF and other peace partners in advancing Basilan’s development.
Key government officials and dignitaries attended the event, including Undersecretary Alan A. Tanjusay of the DSWD, who oversees Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns; Colonel Jhovel Abdurahman (RET), Co-Chair of the Joint Body on the Management of Arms and Forces; Ms. Ligaya G. Buenaventura, City Administrator representing Honorable Roderick H. Furigay, Mayor of Lamitan City; and Mr. Anwary Akalun, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer representing Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman.
The program’s implementation signifies a broader effort to transform conflict-affected areas into thriving communities, offering former combatants the means to contribute to societal growth while achieving economic stability. By prioritizing peace-building initiatives and inclusive development, the Cash-for-Work Program serves as a model for reconciliation and progress in Mindanao.