Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – December 9, 2023
The 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division in collaboration with the Office of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government – Sulu distributed the unclaimed cash assistance to the 22 former Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members at its headquarters in Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu on December 7, 2023.
According to Mr. Jaber B Macacua, Program Manager of BARMM, the program is under the Project TUGON (Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit) which aims to facilitate the mainstreaming of former ASG members as productive citizens of the Bangsamoro community by providing them interventions to uplift their lives.
“We eagerly wanted to provide and support your needs through the Project TUGON. Take this opportunity to create and change your future. We assure you that this will not be the last, in fact, next year we will be providing livelihood programs as part of the sustainment efforts of the government,” Mr. Macacua said.
Ms. Nashra Tulawie, Administrative Officer of MILG-Sulu, expressed her sincere gratitude to the former violent extremists and guaranteed the commitment of MILG-Sulu in supporting them for their future endeavors.
“Kayo ang naging susi sa pagkamit natin ng kapayapaan dito sa ating probinsya. Sa inyong pagbabalik-loob, ito sana ay maging daan upang makapamuhay kayo ng maayos at mapayapa. Asahan ninyo na ang programang ito ay magtutuloy-tuloy pa.”
Aside from the cash assistance, food packs and sacks of rice were also distributed to the FVEs as part of the sustainment efforts under the Project TUGON.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Tampus, General Officer-In-Charge of the 11ID conveyed the message of Maj. Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Commander of the 11ID and Joint Task Force (JTF) Orion saying, “The Project TUGON has been a great help to capacitate and empower our former ASG members to start anew. We are thankful for the initiatives of BARMM to uplift their lives and rest assured that we will continue to support the program of the government.”
“We, the JTF Orion will continue to collaborate and strengthen our commitment to further foster peacebuilding and developmental efforts in the province of Sulu. To our FVEs, I hope that you will use this opportunity as you embrace a new life,” Brig. Gen. Tampus added.
Since the provision of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tranches of Project TUGON, a total of 59 FVEs benefitted and received cash assistance worth of 5,000 pesos each with food packs as part of the government’s continuing commitment and efforts to support the FVEs.
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