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Fighters to farmers
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In 2010, the city of Kauswagan in northern Mindanao adopted the Department of Agriculture's "Arms to Farms" program. The goal was to help former combatants and their families re-integrate into society through farming.

Many of these former combatants were from the MILF, or Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest militant organization in the Philippines seeking autonomy for Filipino Muslims.

When these MILF fighters put down their weapons and picked up farming tools, things began to change in the community. Families now have a stable income and children are receiving proper education.

For its achievements, Kauswagan won the 2016 United Cities and Local Governments Peace Prize and was recognized with an Honorable Mention of the Future Policy Award 2018, awarded by the World Future Council.

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