The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially began implementing its Social Case Management Service (SCMS) for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in Marawi City that will provide a structured approach to identifying and responding to their needs.

Through DSWD’s Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) program, the initiative was launched on Wednesday (August 19) at the Samsara Palace in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

This marks the first implementation of the DSWD’s SCM Service for MNLF combatants, building on the Department’s experience in providing similar interventions to decommissioned combatants (DCs) from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Director Miramel Laxa of the PDBBM-National Program Management Office (PDBBM-NPMO) said the initiative fulfills a long-standing goal of strengthening the partnership between the DSWD and the MNLF.

“Usec. Alan (Tanjusay) is very excited for this activity and for this partnership with MNLF kasi po, si Secretary Rex (Gatchalian) and si Usec. Alan ay matagal na rin po nilang pinapangarap itong partnership na ito, itong ating intervention with our MNLF brothers and sisters,” Director Laxa said on Wednesday.

The PDBBM-NPMO National Program Manager explained that while the SCM Service is not new to the DSWD, its implementation for MNLF members represents a new phase in the Department’s peace and development interventions.

“Hindi na po bago ang Social Case Management Service because we have been implementing this with our decommissioned combatants sa mga MILF po nating kasamahan. But for our MNLF, this will be the start of that intervention,” Director Laxa said.

The PDBBM Director said the initiative responds to the directive of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to strengthen case management for former members of non-state armed groups (FMNSAGs), allowing the Department to better monitor their circumstances and ensure that interventions are responsive to their needs.

“Ang bilin ni Secretary Rex, let us intensify, let us strengthen our Social Case Management Service to former members of non-state armed groups,” Director Laxa said.

As part of the launch, 29 MNLF members participated in profiling and needs assessment to determine the circumstances, priorities, and needs of the beneficiaries and their families.

Based on initial interviews, the most sought-after interventions include financial assistance, educational assistance such as Alternative Learning System (ALS) and technical-vocational training, and livelihood assistance through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

DSWD Field Office (FO) 10 – Northern Mindanao Regional Director (RD) Glofelia Uayan said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing peace and development through responsive and people-centered social protection.

“Today is more than the formal launching of an activity. It is a meaningful manifestation of our shared commitment to advancing the peace and development agenda through responsive, inclusive, and people-centered social protection interventions,” RD Uayan said.

The FO 10 Director also underscored that sustaining the gains of the peace process requires the collective efforts of government agencies, LGUs, partner organizations, the MNLF, and the communities themselves.

“The gains of the peace process cannot be sustained by one agency alone. They require the collective efforts of national government agencies, the local government units, partner organizations, and most importantly, the MNLF and the communities we serve,” RD Uayan said.

Meanwhile, MNLF Subcommittee on Community Healing and Reconciliation Chairperson Dale Alexis Malna expressed support for the initiative, saying the MNLF welcomed the participation of government agencies in addressing the needs of its members.

“Labis po kaming natutuwa. Kami po sa MNLF, kami po dito sa Lanao del Sur, labis po kaming natutuwa at nandito po kayong lahat,” Malna said.

The MNLF leader also conveyed the full support of the group’s Central Committee for the initiative, recognizing it as an important step toward ensuring that the circumstances and needs of its members are properly understood and addressed through government interventions.

“On behalf of the MNLF Central Committee, I would like to express our full support for the ceremonial launching of the Enhanced Social Peace Management for MNLF members in Lanao del Sur,” Malna said.

The MNLF official likewise expressed appreciation for the efforts of the DSWD and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) in supporting the MNLF community.

During the activity, messages of support were also delivered by Kapai Municipal Mayor Aidah Gauraki through her representative, Government of the Philippines (GPH) Management Committee Chairperson Ret. BGen. Buenaventura Pascual, and OPAPRU Head Mel Senen Sarmiento through Office of the Bangsamoro Transformation Cluster Executive Director Cesar De Mesa.

The stakeholders also participated in a Commitment Signing to signify their support for the implementation of the SCM Service and strengthen coordination among DSWD, OPAPRU, LGUs, BARMM, and other partner agencies.

PDBBM-NPMO Deputy Program Manager Director Elvis Quitalig emphasized that the commitment signing and the SCM framework represent concrete steps toward lasting peace and development.

“Ang ating isinagawang Commitment Signing at ang paglalatag ng Social Case Management Framework ay hindi lamang simpleng bahagi ng programa, kundi isang malaking hakbang tungo sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” Director Quitalig said.

The PDBBM-NPMO official said the initiative is anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the DSWD’s commitment to ensuring that peace is accompanied by concrete social protection and support for former combatants and their families.

The launch was also attended by other DSWD officials, including RD Lucia Alan of FO 2 (Cagayan Valley), RD Enrique Gascon Jr. of FO Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), RD Arwin Razo of FO Negros Island Region (NIR), RD Riduan Hadjimuddin of FO 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and RD Loreto Cabaya Jr. of FO 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), as well as Asst. Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Salmah Basher of FO 10 (Northern Mindanao) and Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Katherine Joy Lamprea of FO 6 (Western Visayas).

Also present were MNLF Peace Process Office Head Director Jana Jill Gallardo; and representatives from the Office of the Governor and Vice Governor of Lanao del Sur, BARMM Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE), BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) BARMM, PhilHealth BARMM, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Lanao del Sur, and other partner institutions. (CC)