ATI-Central Office rep and Information Officer Karl Louise M. Salibio interviews Kauswagan Mayor Rommel C. Arnado regarding his advocacy of the "From Arms to Farms" Program of the Institute.
KUMAYKAY RIVER FARM, Dahilayan, Bukidnon---A lot can be said of the success of the program “From Arms to Farms” which gave some rebel-returnees of Lanao del Norte a chance to turn their life around by engaging in organic farming, contributing to the progress of the agriculture sector, and ultimately attaining peace and development in their respective areas.
In a nutshell, the program has been crafted and designed by ATI not only to help provide livelihood to former Muslim rebels but also to indigenous peoples living in remote areas where government services and intervention seem to be totally absent. Hence, the program has been known as "From Arms to Farms: Fostering Peace through Agriculture and Fisheries Development in Conflict Areas."
ATI consistently provided assistance and support until such time that the rebel returnees’ farms became sustainable and productive. With these interventions, security and order was further enhanced in the Lanao province. With its relentless fight against hunger, ATI in its own way has helped in addressing conflict and insurgencies. With farming, livelihood is provided and rebel leaders are capacitated to become farmer leaders. At present, the program continues to get recognition and gain support from other former commanders of the group.
With that in mind, the Information Services Division (ISD) of ATI Central Office comprising of Erika Z. Vizcarra, Karl Louise M. Salibio, Jayvee P. Masilang and Angelica Marie T. Umali along with fellow content developers of ATI-RTC X Noemi Beth G. Macario and Vic Thor A. Palarca convened and collaborated for a week-long writeshop. The said writeshop’s output is meant for print publishing which would constitute the upcoming coffee table book showcasing the lives of rebel-returnees after the institute’s intervention through such program initiative.
The upcoming coffee table book, which will be launched sometime in January next year, and in time for the Institute’s anniversary, will capture stories meant to inspire readers and share the transformative power of farming in attaining peace. The Information Services group with the able leadership of Antonieta J. Arceo, has been producing and publishing success story books for quite some time now.
Popular Cagayan de Oro-based blogger and CdOBlogger President Maia Fortich-Poblete was on board as the group’s resident editor. The week-long writeshop transpired at Kumaykay River Farm in Dahilayan, Bukidnon.