GENERAL SANTOS CITY, December 3, 2024 — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continue to advance efforts to support sustainable peace and development through the turnover of Php 25 million worth of farm equipment to MNLF members.

In a ceremony held at Mindanao State University-General Santos City on Tuesday, the government turned over eight (8) tractors, six (6) rice combine harvesters, a corn sheller, and all necessary machinery accessories to MNLF members as part of the Transformation Program.

The Transformation Program is anchored on the socio-economic provisions of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF.

This initiative aims to transform the lives and positively change the mindsets of MNLF combatants and their families, turning their communities into productive and self-reliant areas. The program has four major components: security, socio-economic development, confidence-building, and community healing and reconciliation.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. of OPAPRU, Min. Muslimin Sema, chair of the MNLF, and Atty. Shidik T. Abantas, the newly installed Chancellor of MSU-General Santos City, led the ceremony. Members of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MNLF Management Committees, as well as community focal persons, also attended the event, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Transformation Program.

These efforts aim to enhance agricultural productivity in the covered regions, which include communities in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Cotabato City Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

The program is funded under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program 2023 budget.

Peace Must Be Sustained

Uttoh Salem Cutan, chairperson of the MNLF Management Committee, expressed gratitude to the government for its continued support in implementing the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Cutan urged MNLF members to “take good care” of the farm equipment, emphasizing the need to sustain the program.

“The MNLF, under the leadership of Muslimin Sema, is committed to sustaining the momentum of peace,” he said.

Sema also expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his unwavering support of the peace process with the MNLF.

“We are very happy. We thank the President for his support to continue the peace process with the MNLF,” Sema said.

He explained that the Transformation Program aims to provide holistic interventions to help MNLF members become productive and peaceful members of society.

“Peace is not only the cessation of hostilities but also peace in our minds,” he said.

Part of the plan, Sema added, is to further develop the skills of former combatants in agriculture, processing, and other livelihood interventions.

Honoring Signed Peace Agreements

BGEN. Buenaventura Pascual (Ret.), chairperson of the GPH Management Committee, reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to honoring the Bangsamoro peace process.

He noted that 74 projects were approved by the joint management committee under the Transformation Program.

“Sa kabuuan, 74 proyekto ang naaprubahan at kasalukuyang ipinatutupad kasama ang MSU systems. Kabilang dito ang pagbibigay ng agricultural machineries, kagamitang pang-agrikultura at pangisdaan, at mga pasilidad tulad ng gusali para sa Disaster Risk Reduction and Management at community electrification,” Pascual said.

Before the turnover of the farm equipment, MNLF members underwent capacity development training.

“Kaakibat nito ang matagumpay na pagsasanay noong Nobyembre 23–26, 2024, sa MSU-Gensan. Saklaw nito ang mga paksa tulad ng farming techniques, fishing, basic computer literacy, financial literacy, kooperatiba, at tamang paggamit at pagsustini ng rice harvesters at tractors,” he added.

He assured continued efforts in fulfilling the remaining commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mas pinatibay na pakikipagtulungan sa MNLF, lalo nating pagtitibayin ang implementasyon ng MNLF Transformation Program upang makapaghatid ng mga interbensyong tunay na magpapabago sa buhay ng mga dating combatant, kanilang pamilya, at komunidad,” Pascual said.

Symbiotic Relationship

Secretary Galvez encouraged MNLF partners to collaborate closely with the national government for the effective and efficient implementation of the MNLF Transformation Program.

“Indeed, the national government cannot journey on this path to peace alone. It is critical that you, our partners, continue to walk with us. Let us remember that we all have a role to play in protecting and sustaining our country’s peace,” he said.

Galvez also extended gratitude to MNLF Chair Muslimin Sema for the continued support to the MNLF Transformation Program.

“I congratulate the government and MNLF Management Committees for successfully spearheading the program, which has led to 1,963 combatants completing the socio-economic profiling process and receiving initial support, as well as the documentation of 1,996 firearms,” he added.

Reassuring Commitment

Galvez reassured the government’s commitment to the peace agreement with the MNLF.

“I would like to reassure our partners from the MNLF that the national government is fully committed to pursuing the remaining commitments of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement,” he said.

“As we have seen on countless occasions, peace and development are at the heart of the Marcos Jr. administration,” Galvez emphasized.

“Through convergence with the MNLF groups and strengthening the program’s implementation, we aim to improve the delivery of interventions that will positively change the lives of former MNLF combatants, their families, and their communities,” he concluded.

This event coincided with the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.###