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Former MILF Combatants get Livelihood, Tech aid from DOST and OPAPRU for Socioeconomic Reintegration

by Claire Bernadette Mondares
written by Claire Bernadette Mondares 0 comments
DOST and OPAPRU officials distribute livelihood assistance to former MILF combatants

MILF livelihood assistance and technology support were provided to former combatants by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and OPAPRU to support their socioeconomic reintegration.

Former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao received livelihood packages and technology assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which helped them transition into peaceful and sustainable civilian communities.

Camp Bushra in Lanao del Sur, Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte, Camp Abubakar, Camp Omar, Camp Badre, and Camp Rajamuda in Maguindanao formally received the assistance on February 5, 2026, at Brgy. Sandab Madaya, Butig, Lanao del Sur.

“Based on my observation, if people have a job, if they have a solution to their basic needs, people will be content and hopeful in life. That’s why their attention is on improving their own family and property,” explained DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.

In partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and Joint Task Forces in Camps Transformation (JTFCT), the six camps were able to receive various science and technology interventions focused on health and nutrition, education, digital access, livelihood and enterprises, and climate resilience.

“Para sa aming mga katuwang sa OPAPRU, ang kapayapaan ay isang malinaw na bisyon—isang adhikaing alam naming makakamtan kung lalakipan ng tiwala, pakikiisa, at tuloy-tuloy na pagtutulungan. Ngunit para sa inyo po rito sa kampo at sa inyong mga pamilya, marahil, ang kapayapaan ay higit pa sa isang programa ng pamahalaan. Ito ay healing—ang marahang paghilom ng mga sugat ng kahapon, ang tahimik na pagbitaw sa bigat ng sakripisyong pinagdaanan, at ang pagyakap sa liwanag ng bukas,” Solidum added.

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Turnover ceremony of livelihood assistance for former MILF combatants
Former combatants and their families attend the ceremonial turnover of science and technology projects from the joint partnership of DOST and OPAPRU, held at Brgy. Sandab Madaya, in Lanao del Sur on February 5, 2026.

For Camp Bushra alone, the community received five science and technology programs, such as a water desalination system, solar powered deep well, livestock raising (goat breeding), and a bakery managed by the wives of former combatants.

These programs are all implemented through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the DOST, with funding support of P49, 448,218 from OPAPRU.

According to the DOST-SOCCSKSARGEN region, the joint project is in support of the Normalization Track of the Bangsamoro Peace Process.

Meanwhile, to continue this initiative, the DOST and OPAPRU signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for phase II of the projects, which will monitor the continuous management of the projects.

“Malaking tulong ‘yung mga livelihood packages na binibigay [sa MILF former combatants]. Dati-rati, ‘yung mga kampong ito ay nagsisilbing parang pagawaan ng mga [armas] nila. Noong nagkaroon tayo ng peace agreement, nabago ‘yung mga mindset ng mga tao. Hindi lang ‘yung kanilang mindset kundi pati yung pag-asa at mga oportunidad,” retired Lt. Gen Danilo G. Pamonag said.

Pamonag is the chairperson of the JTFCT, government of the Philippines.

The partnership of the two agencies recognizes the need to translate peace agreements into concrete socioeconomic gains by using science, technology and innovation for post-conflict recovery and sustainable development.

“Ito po ang diwa ng Science4Peace at ng Agham na Ramdam. Kung ang agham ay may layunin, ito ay ang walang maiiwan. Kung ang teknolohiya ay may direksiyon, ito ay patungo sa inklusibo at makatarungang kaunlaran. At kung ang kapayapaan ay isang proseso, ang DOST ay naninindigang maging kaagapay—hindi tagamasid lang,” Solidum said.

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Former MILF combatants gathered at Camp Bushra in Butig, Lanao del Sur during a livelihood assistance activity
DOST, represented by Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. (center), Usec. Teodoro M. Gatchalian (fifth from the left), and Usec. Sancho A. Mabborang (sixth from the left), received a warm welcome from MILF chairperson of Camp Bushra JTFCT Jannati Mimbatas, (on right) and Presidential Assistant of Bangsamoro Transformation David B. Diciano (on left), during the ceremonial turnover of science and technology interventions for former MILF combatants at Camp Bushra, Butig Lanao del Sur on February 5, 2026.

The DOST-SOCCSKSARGEN, which serves as the Regional Project Management Team and OPAPRU vowed to continue supporting the six identified communities under the Science4Peace program: Science and Technology Solutions for Peaceful and Productive Communities.

The S&T livelihood and tech aid is one the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All.

Photos by Patrick James Lee C. Alfonso