DSWD establishes program to strengthen peace process in Bangsamoro

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said it established a peace and development program to strengthen the peace process in Bangsamoro further. 

In a statement, the DSWD explained that the program is part of their commitment to the peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

“The DSWD established its peace and development program to improve case management and step up the provision of the government’s mainstreamed social protection programs for verified former combatants,” said DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay in a statement.

READ: DSWD presents peace, dev’t programs at UN-sponsored dialogue on extremism

Under the peace and development program, Tanjusay said the department will create a program management unit and some regional program management units in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region to “oversee the implementation of various peace programs and initiatives.”

Tanjusay also noted that the peace agreement has already granted cash assistance and cash-for-work programs to at least 26,000 MILF combatants so far under the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. 

Such identified plans and initiatives under the peace and development program are to be executed by government agencies together with Bangsamoro Transition Authority ministries, according to the DSWD. — Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern