MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--To determine the assistance to be provided to youth who laid down their arms to become productive and law-abiding members of society, the Bangsamoro government through the Office of Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph spearheaded a summit on youth awareness and resiliency, October 22.
Aside from ISIS youth returnees, the summit was also participated by youth relatives of returnees, youth affected during a municipal siege or armed conflict, and youth from remote villages in the towns of Pagayawan, Lumbaca Unayan, Lumbayanague, and Madamba.
MP Latiph said the summit aims to reach out to the youth, determine their needs, connect them to livelihood opportunities, and free their mind from radicalization.
According to her, the activity is in response to President Duterte's Administrative Order (AO) 25 which expanded the coverage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to include former violent extremists.
The said AO mandates the government to provide a complete package of assistance to former rebels and former violent extremists specifically tailored to their needs and those of their respective communities
During the summit, the youth participants were engaged in a series of discussions with peace advocates on the Bangsamoro struggle, Bangsamoro Parliamentary Government, preventing and countering violent extremism, and the fight against drug addiction and criminality, among others.
They also underwent leadership and team-building activities and a peace project proposal workshop where each municipality received P20,000 grant for their project.
"This is very interesting kasi it is the first time that we will be able to engage with them after the siege. Doon sa workshop, ma define ano yung gusto nila kasi ayaw ko na ako ang magsabi, gusto ko sa kanila mismo manggaling [What they want can be defined in the workshop, I don't want to be the one saying it, they should identify what they need themselves]," she said.
For education concerns, MP Latiph said she can allocate a budget for skills training with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)
