The Government of the Philippines-MILF Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities (TFDCC) said the distribution began in the last week of September.
A total of 1,028 grantees were approved for the first batch of the program. The ₱50,000 assistance covers tuition, books, allowances, and other academic expenses for one academic year or two semesters.
The remaining 725 beneficiaries will receive the grant in two ₱25,000 tranches after the initial transfers were returned to Mindanao State University-Marawi for reprocessing. BookBeach Resorts
According to the TFDCC, the issue was caused by beneficiaries’ LANDBANK PISO accounts exceeding the allowable monthly credit limit of ₱50,000.
MSU-Marawi is now reprocessing the first tranche, while the second ₱25,000 payment will be released once the first tranche has cleared.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the TFDCC are also reviewing the beneficiary account mechanisms to prevent similar banking issues in succeeding releases.
Presidential Peace Adviser and concurrent GPH Peace Implementing Panel Chairperson Sec. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento assured the remaining beneficiaries that they will receive the assistance intended for them.
“Rest assured that we are doing everything possible to ensure that all our EAP grantees will get the financial support they rightfully deserve. They do not have anything to worry about. There are just some technical concerns that need to be addressed,” Sarmiento said.
The EAP was launched in 2024 as part of the socioeconomic component of the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), providing educational support to former rebels and decommissioned MILF combatants and their families.
Sarmiento said the recent September 25, 2026 Addendum to the Decision Points on the Socioeconomic Development Program is expected to improve the delivery and monitoring of assistance to decommissioned combatants and their families.
“Education is one of the most lasting dividends of peace. Supporting the learning of those who chose peace, and of the next generation, is central to our commitments under the CAB,” he said.
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