SUMISIP, Basilan -- ‘Kabuhayan Packages’ consisting of cash and non-cash livelihood assistance were distributed on February 17 to residents of this coastal municipality who turned in their unregistered small arms and light weapons (SALW) to local authorities.

The ceremony was witnessed by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Steven J. Robinson who visited the province to view various Australia-funded interventions.

Joining them were Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) co-chair for the Government of the Philippines Ariel Hernandez, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Saliman, and officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Official certificates of ownership were handed over to the beneficiaries for the fishing boats awarded to them under the livelihood package.

The turn-over of the loose firearms was facilitated by the Basilan provincial government under its SALW Program, which is being carried out in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

The SALW Program, which is under the security aspect of the normalization track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), aims to restrict the movement and manage the number of loose firearms in Bangsamoro communities. (OPAPRU)