By Noel Punzalan/PNA
COTABATO CITY — At least 52 former members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Friday began their skills training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as part of their reintegration to the mainstream society in Basilan province.
The latest batch of TESDA trainees is among 272 rebel returnees from Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, who are being given livelihood skills training under the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE).
John Louie Balagot, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) cabinet secretary, said the initiative forms part of the region’s intensified peace-building efforts to combat terrorism.
PAVE is a reintegration program channeled through skills development training, which received a PHP20-million budget from ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman for its implementation.
On Nov. 7, the latest batch of returnees took their oath during the training induction program facilitated by TESDA in Isabela, Basilan. The training courses include bread and pastry-making, welding, carpentry, and dressmaking.
“The trainees would also receive competency assessments, tool kits and food for the whole duration of the training,” Balagot, who is concurrent PAVE manager, said.
PAVE, being the first model program for the reintegration of former Moro rebels, would also cover assistance to returnees from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, he added.
“The program is primarily designed to provide opportunities to former rebels who surrendered and returned to the folds of the law to become productive members of society,” Balagot said.
PAVE is also engaging with affected communities, especially the youth and women, as the regional government acknowledged their vital role in preventing terrorism.
Aside from the free skills training, he said the returnees would also receive housing and food assistance under the ARMM’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development with Growth and Equity Program; Alternative Learning System classes under the ARMM’s education department; farm seedlings under the ARMM’s agriculture department; techno-training on chili production under the Department of Science and Technology; and membership to cooperatives under the Cooperative Development Authority.
In the transition to the new Bangsamoro government, Balagot said the ARMM’s reintegration program is being recognized by the National Peace and Order Council, even as the regional government remains hopeful that it would be officially included in the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which is aimed at achieving permanent and peaceful closure to all armed conflicts.
