The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen its case management interventions for former comabatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other conflict-affected areas across the country.

In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Davao’s “Balitaan sa RP” on Wednesday (June 3), Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) said the Department is continuously coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the smooth implementation of case management services for former rebels and their families.

“Sa ngayon, ang Peace and Development cluster doon po sa BARMM ay nakikipag-ugnayan po sa mga local government units para magsagawa sila ng case management study sa mga former rebels natin. Kinakailangan po kasi na may coordination sila sa local government unit para smooth ang ugnayan ng DSWD at local government sa pagpapatupad ng case management doon sa mga former rebels, or mga former MNLF at former MILF combatants na siyang inaasikaso po natin araw-araw,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

The DSWD official noted that most LGUs in the BARMM have been cooperative in supporting the Department’s interventions for former combatants.

“Karamihan po sa ating local government units sa BARMM ay nakikipag-cooperate po sa amin. Siguro may mga isa o dalawang mga LGU na kinakailangan pang bigyan ng unawa kung bakit kami nagca-case management sa mga former combatants, pero karamihan po sa mga LGU ay nakakaunawa, madaling kausap,” Undersecretary Tanjusay told Radyo Pilipinas.

The PDG undersecretary explained that the DSWD continues to conduct dialogues and coordination meetings with LGUs to further explain the objectives of the case management activities and ensure that former combatants receive the necessary assistance and interventions.

“Doon po sa mga LGU na hindi nakakaunawa, kakausapin po ng mga DSWD officials, ipapaliwanag po kung ano ang purpose kung bakit may pag-uusap, coordination ang DSWD at ang mga former combatants… Nag-sesetup po tayo ng dayalogo upang maipakita sa kanila, one way or the other, na mayroong mga combatants sa kanilang mga munisipyo na kinakailangan nating bigyan ng atensyon, bigyan natin ng tulong para mapadali yung kanilang pamumuhay sa araw-araw kasi sa mga poor district municipalities, mahirap talaga makakuha ng mga services,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

According to the DSWD executive, case management activities have become an important mechanism in helping former rebels transition into productive and peaceful civilian lives by identifying their needs and linking them to government services and opportunities.

“Mayroong malaking pagbabago dahil tuluyan na nating silang bibigyan ng trabaho. Naa-assess natin sila sa ating mga skills training. So malaking bagay po ang case management na tumutulong sa ating mga former combatants upang ma-empower sila na maka-adjust nang mabuti at maka-contribute sa progreso ng mga community,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

The DSWD executive also emphasized that the Department’s primary goal is to help former combatants and vulnerable communities improve their living conditions and access government support services.

“Wala kaming ibang motibo dito kundi tulungan sila. Plain and simple. Yun lamang po ang aming layunin dito: makatulong upang maiahon sila sa kahirapan,” Undersecretary Tanjusay stressed.

Aside from BARMM, the DSWD executive said the case management activities are also being implemented smoothly in other areas outside the region, with around 32,000 former rebels currently under the care and monitoring of the Department.

Undersecretary Tanjusay expressed gratitude to the beneficiaries who continue to cooperate with the Department’s peacebuilding and reintegration efforts.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating mga MILF at MNLF beneficiaries natin na nakipag-fully cooperate po sa DSWD case management services na ginagawa po namin. Sana po ay marami pa tayong magawa sa cooperation na ito,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DSWD continues to strengthen its peacebuilding and development initiatives to help former rebels and conflict-affected communities transition toward peaceful, productive, and self-sustaining lives through coordinated social protection, livelihood, and reintegration programs. (CC)