Government Awards Educational Aid for Decommissioned Combatants’ Children
COTABATO CITY — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), together with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC), partnered with the Mindanao State University (MSU) System to grant educational assistance to 404 children of decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.
Each recipient received ₱25,000 cash support through the government’s Education Assistance Program (EAP). This initiative aims to empower the families of former combatants by investing in their children’s education.
This year, 900 students connected to MILF combatants will benefit from the program, officials said. Since its launch in 2022, the EAP has aided 2,500 students throughout Mindanao, underscoring the government’s commitment to peace and development.
Leaders Highlight Education’s Role in Peace Normalization
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. led the ceremonial turnover of financial aid at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City. He emphasized that this educational assistance is a critical part of the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“This activity in Cotabato City supports the education of ex-combatants’ children until they complete their bachelor’s degrees through educational grants,” Galvez stated during the program.
He also stressed that this initiative aligns with the CAB’s normalization track, which aims to build lasting peace in the region.
National Commitment to Bangsamoro’s Future
Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. reaffirmed the national government’s unwavering support for the normalization process and the pursuit of genuine peace in Mindanao.
“Education of decommissioned combatants and their children is among the priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for Bangsamoro,” Lagdameo said.
He highlighted the President’s strong belief that education is the key to lifting the Bangsamoro people out of poverty.
“The President’s desire is not only the achievement of peace but respect for human rights of every Filipino,” he added.
Lagdameo acknowledged the progress made toward normalization but also noted ongoing challenges. He called for a re-evaluation of peace process mechanisms to ensure they remain responsive, inclusive, and effective.
“To our student-grantees and decommissioned combatants, may you use this opportunity to achieve your personal goals, and when you have succeeded, may you also give back not only to your families but also to your communities,” Lagdameo appealed.
He also donated ₱1 million from his personal funds to further support MSU students.
Education as a Pathway to Lasting Peace
Local leaders and government sources agree that the educational assistance program represents more than financial aid; it symbolizes hope and progress for families once involved in conflict.
By investing in the youth, the program fosters a generation empowered to build a peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro region.
For more news and updates on the educational assistance for decommissioned combatants’ children, visit Filipinokami.com.
