OPPAP, TESDA ink MOA for decommissioned MILF troops

Cotabato City — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Friday, September 6, in Cotabato City.

Under the MOA, OPAPP and TESDA formalized their partnership, wherein both agencies jointly undertake initiatives which are in line with the implementation of the Normalization Process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda of Duterte administration.

The OPAPP and TESDA shall undertake the following guidelines:

1. Promote conflict sensitive and peace promoting approaches in the Bangsamoro communities;
 2. Establish mechanism to facilitate coordination between the two agencies for the implementation of programs and projects intended for the Bangsamoro; and
 3. Create an OPAPP-TESDA National Technical Working Group that will help in the realization of the provisions of the MOA.

Chief Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., said these interventions aim to assist decommissioned MILF combatants transform their lives from revolutionary combatants into peaceful and productive citizens.

The TESDA’s assistance will focus specifically in developing skills training program  and providing scholarship grants that will help the former combatants find employment opportunities and earn a decent living to support their families.

“TESDA’s involvement in the decommissioning process is a demonstration of the national government’s integrated holistic approach in capacitating decommissioned combatants and helping them turn to mainstream society,” Galvez added.

Meanwhile, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña thanked OPAPP and secretary Galvez in involving TESDA in helping the MILF combatants, who are set to be decommissioned on Saturday, September 7. 

“The TESDA is committed in providing training assistance para iyong ating mga kapatid, in this transformation process, ay magkaroon ng mas magandang oportunidad sa buhay,” Lapeña added.

TESDA assured to provide service to equip decommissioned MILF combatants with appropriate skills training that will enable them to pursue a sustainable livelihood.-PR