CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — In a significant step toward reintegration and lasting peace, the City Education and Development Office (CEDO) launched a special Skills Caravan for former rebels under the program “Former Rebels to Friends Restored” on Friday, February 27, at the Oro Kalandang “Peace” Center in Sitio Tambo, Barangay Dansolihon.
The initiative introduced a range of vocational training opportunities designed to help former rebels rebuild their lives and transition into productive members of society. The training programs are offered under the Relevant Industry Skills for Employment – Technical Vocational Education and Training (RISE-TVET) scholarship program of CEDO, which aims to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills that can lead to stable employment.
Among the courses available for enrollment are Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Computer System Servicing NC II, Driving NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) Forklift NC II, HEO Backhoe Loader NC II, HEO Bulldozer, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I and NC II. These programs are aligned with current labor market demands, ensuring that graduates can pursue careers in sectors where skilled workers are needed.
Local officials said the Skills Caravan is more than just a training initiative—it is a pathway toward dignity, livelihood, and reconciliation. Many of the participants are beneficiaries of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Department. The program provides assistance to former rebels as they reintegrate into civilian life, offering support such as livelihood opportunities, financial aid, and social services.
Through the caravan, the city government hopes to address one of the most critical challenges faced by former combatants: finding sustainable employment after leaving armed groups. By providing access to technical education and hands-on training, authorities aim to reduce the risk of former rebels returning to conflict and instead encourage them to contribute to community development.
Officials emphasized that the initiative reflects the broader peace and development agenda of the city government. The RISE-TVET vocational scholarship program was launched during the administration of Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy, with the goal of ensuring that educational and training opportunities are accessible to all residents, including those seeking a second chance after years of conflict.
The choice of venue—the Oro Kalandang “Peace” Center—also underscored the symbolic significance of the program. Located in a community that has long been involved in peacebuilding initiatives, the center served as a fitting backdrop for an event focused on reconciliation, empowerment, and transformation.
For many participants, the Skills Caravan represents a turning point. Beyond acquiring technical knowledge, the program opens doors to employment, stability, and renewed hope for themselves and their families.
City officials expressed optimism that initiatives like this will strengthen peace efforts not only in upland communities of Cagayan de Oro but across the region. By investing in education, skills development, and inclusive opportunities, the local government hopes to demonstrate that sustainable peace is possible when communities work together to restore lives once disrupted by conflict.