COTABATO CITY (December 20, 2023) – In a significant step towards fostering positive social change, 200 young Mujahideen have successfully completed their technical vocational skills training under the Bangsamoro Youth Commission’s (BYC) groundbreaking initiative, the Positive Peace Project, also known as 3Peace.
Hailing from the Bangsamoro region’s 10 camps of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), these graduates are poised to transform their lives, paving the way for enhanced socio-economic opportunities.
The graduation ceremony, held on December 19 in the regional government’s current seat in Cotabato City, marks the culmination of their dedicated efforts in acquiring valuable skills that will undoubtedly open doors to a brighter future.
The graduates completed NC II skills training under education ministry’s Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) that include Bread and Pastry, Cookery, Dress-making, and Agricultural Crops Production.
3Peace is BYC’s effort to reintegrate the youth in society with meaningful and viable interventions aimed at improving their socio-economic opportunities.
BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong emphasized that the success of this training will signify a significant milestone for the beneficiaries as they embark on a journey of positive transformation.
“Ang 3Peace na ito ay isa sa mga proyekto na napakalapit sa aking puso dahil ako’y galing din sa pamilya ng mga Mujahideen. And I firmly believe that this project will serve as an opportunity to transform the lives of our Mujahideen along with their families and become part of lasting peace and development,” Macasalong stated.
Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, in his remarks, continued to express the significance of the initiative.
“Ang pinaka sentro ng Moral Governance is about justice. Kaya angkop na angkop itong tinatawag ngayon na positive peace doon sa isinusulong ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) na Moral Governance,” Iqbal said.
Several steps were also taken to establish one cooperative in each of the 10 camps under the supervision and approval of the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA). During the graduation, a document certifying the registered names of cooperatives were also awarded.
CSEA Executive Director Samcia U. Ibrahim encouraged the graduates by emphasizing the role and capacity of the youth to lead and shape the future.
“Sa mga batang nasa harap natin ngayon, your energy and passion are the driving force beyond our success. Palagi niyong tatandaan na kayo ang mga taga pagtaguyod ng pagbabago at pag-unlad. Kaagapay niyo ang BARMM government at ang CSEA sa pagtupad ng iyong mga pangarap,” Ibrahim said.
Meanwhile, Samra Abdullah, a daughter of Mujahideen, expressed her gratitude as one of the beneficiaries of the said project.
“At bilang mga anak ng mga magulang namin na nakibaka noon, hindi kami naghahangad ng anumang posisyon sa gobyerno natin. Bagkus, nagpapasalamat kami dahil unti-unti nang nakakamit ang development na matagal na nating inaasam-asam. Nagpapasalamat kami dahil sa kabila ng lahat, hindi kami iniwan at pinabayaan ng Bangsamoro government,” Abdullah said during the ceremony.
The graduation ceremony was attended by several BTA Parliament Members, BARMM ministries, offices, agencies, development partners, MILF and MNLF commanders, and other instrumentalities.
3peace is a long-term project that aims to produce former young combatants who are trained and capacitated in socio-economic aspects, ensuring their positive reintegration to become productive members of society and translating their narratives into policy actions and development agenda. It is a Special Development Fund project implemented by BYC. (BYC PR Unit/SAMN)
