COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- Army reservists in the province of Maguindanao and Cotabato City will soon be given free livelihood skills training and certification by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education – BARMM (MBHTE-BARMM).

The Philippine Army’s 12th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) recently signed a memorandum of agreement with MBHTE-BARMM for the provision of technical assistance and skills training for personnel under the 1203 Community Defense Center based in this city.

Under the agreement, army reservists will be enrolled in Carpentry NC II in identified tech-voc institutions.

Col. Florencio Politud Jr., 12th RCDG commander said, this aims to equip reservists with skills they can use to act as force multipliers, especially in reconstruction efforts in times of disaster and calamities.

“This can also provide an alternate source of livelihood for them,” Col. Politud added.

“We thank MBHTE-BARMM for opening opportunities to our reservists. This will surely benefit the communities we serve in Cotabato City and Maguindanao,” he said.

In Maguindanao, there are approximately 6,000 enlisted officers and personnel ready to help the AFP, especially in humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts. (PIA XII)