From Arms to Farms Foundation, Inc.

29/07/2026

LOOK👀: In an opportunity to re-tell the , Vice Mayor Rommel Arnado— visionary of the SIKAD PA vision which transformed Kauswagan from being a war-torn municipality into a progressive town and now the richest municipality in Lanao del Norte, emphasized that the root cause of conflict in the area from many decades ago was the failure of the government to provide for the people.

Hunger and poverty became the main culprit of decades-long war and conflict in this part of .

In 2012, the Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte pioneered a holistic reintegration package that brought former combatants, their leaders and their families back into serving families communities through under the From Arms to Farms program.

Today’s event was attended by former M**F and MNLF commanders and their members, community leaders, and delegates of the Community Exchange Programme organized by MSU-IIT in partnership with the German Cooperation, GIZ, Ziviler Friedensdienst Civil Peace Service, Universitat Marburg, and the Center for Conflict Studies.

Nationally-known museum builder and curator, Ms. Marian Pastor Roces, was also present and joined by GIZ Regional Coordinator Oliver Markus Wiechmann, Chevening Senior Fellow on Conflict Resolution, Prof. Ed Quitoriano, and Dr. Mark Anthony Torres, MSU-IIT Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives.

More than 30 foreign delegates from southeast Asia and other countries attended the event.🇵🇭🇰🇭🇬🇧🇩🇪🇹🇭🇧🇩

25/07/2026

21/06/2026

For more than a decade, the From Arms to Farms movement has shown that lasting peace is built not only through programs and policies, but through families, communities, and fathers who choose hope over conflict and opportunity over violence.

Since 2012, countless fathers have become champions of peace and development.. working the land, supporting their families, raising responsible children, and helping transform communities once affected by conflict into places of productivity, dignity, and hope.

As we celebrate Father's Day, we honor the men whose sacrifices continue to cultivate peace and grow brighter futures for the next generation.

Through the work of the From Arms to Farms Foundation, Inc., we remain committed to sustaining and expanding these gains, not only in Kauswagan but in communities across Mindanao and beyond. Because peace is not a destination; it is a responsibility that must be nurtured, protected, and passed on to future generations.

Together, we cultivate peace. Together, we grow futures.🌾🕊️

20/06/2026

🎉Sabado na naman! It’s Market and Family Day in Kauswagan.🌱

🌾Bisitahin natin ang ating mga farmers’ booth sa Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center grounds sa Brgy. Tacub kasama ang pamilya at barkada at tingnan ang mga produktong maaaring bilhin ngayong araw.🧑🏼‍🌾

⏰Magbubukas muli ang ating organic market alas 3 ng hapon at maaaring mag enjoy ang barkada at pamilya sa entertainment night mamaya!

🛒🛍️Mula sa nakakapagod na araw ng trabaho at negosyo, mag-relax at mag enjoy sa ating Organic Market at Family Day!

11/06/2026

🇵🇭 It is encouraging to see the national government continue to recognize the importance of strong communities as foundations of lasting peace and security.

The partnership between the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Municipality of Kauswagan through the internationally recognized From Arms to Farms Program demonstrates that genuine security is not achieved through law enforcement alone, but through building communities rooted in hope, livelihood, inclusion, and unity.

To sustain and expand this mission, the From Arms to Farms Foundation, Inc. was established to ensure that the lessons, successes, and gains of Kauswagan's peacebuilding journey endure beyond a single generation. The Foundation aims to strengthen and broaden partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international partners to advance peacebuilding and sustainable development through organic agriculture.

The Foundation will serve as a platform for continuing the transformation of former combatants and their families into productive partners in development while sharing Kauswagan's experience with communities across the Philippines and beyond. More importantly, it seeks to ensure generational continuity in peacebuilding efforts by institutionalizing collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community-driven development.

At a time when nations continue to confront the challenges of violent extremism, disinformation, conflict, and poverty, it is essential to preserve and strengthen models that have proven effective. Peace is not a one-time achievement. It is a long-term commitment that requires strong institutions, empowered communities, and sustained partnerships.

The growing recognition of our work by national institutions and the international community is more than a local success story. It is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible when communities choose hope over violence, opportunity over division, and sustainable development over conflict.

Our journey continues. From Arms to Farms. From Peacebuilding to Sustainable Development.

07/06/2026

06/06/2026

🌴From Arms to Farms Foundation begins a new chapter of hope and transformation

🌾More than a decade ago, a simple yet powerful idea took root in the municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte— that peace could be cultivated not through conflict, but through opportunity. What began as the From Arms to Farms Program in 2012 transformed lives, turning former battlefields into productive farmlands and helping former rebel combatants and their families become partners in building a peaceful and prosperous community.

Today, that same vision continues to grow.

The From Arms to Farms Foundation, Inc. held its 1st Board of Trustees Meeting at the Seaside Spectrum Hotel & Restaurant in Kauswagan, bringing together all members of the Board under the leadership of Chairman Vice Mayor Rommel Arnado. While it marked the foundation’s first official board meeting, it also represented something much deeper, a renewed commitment to a journey that has already changed countless lives.

As the Board gathered around the table, the conversation centered not only on plans and programs but on a shared dream. To ensure that the lessons of Kauswagan’s transformation can inspire and benefit communities far beyond its borders.

One of the foundation’s key priorities is the establishment of a Resource Center that will serve as its learning hub. More than just a center for knowledge, it will become a place where ideas, experiences, and best practices are shared with local governments, development partners, and communities in the Philippines and around the world.

Its mission is clear— to advance food sufficiency through peacebuilding, sustainable development, and organic agriculture.

The story of Kauswagan has shown that when people are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity, extraordinary things can happen. Former adversaries can become farmers. Communities once divided can work together. Fields once marked by uncertainty can become symbols of hope and abundance.

The establishment of the From Arms to Farms Foundation ensures that this story does not end in Kauswagan. Instead, it opens a new chapter, one dedicated to creating a roadmap for sustainable development, strengthening partnerships, and expanding the reach of a model that has proven that peace is possible when communities are empowered.

With the unwavering commitment of its Board of Trustees and the support of partners from government and the private sector, the foundation looks forward to touching more lives, nurturing more communities, and proving that the seeds of peace, once planted, can continue to bear fruit for generations.

From arms to farms. From conflict to opportunity. From hope to lasting transformation. The journey continues.

📌Board of Trustees

Chairman: Rommel Arnado
Board Secretary: Dionesio Fuentes
Board Treasurer: Atty. Warren Lim
Members: Sonia Arnado, Edicio Dela Torre
Executive Director: Harold Clavite

01/05/2026

💐We offer our heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Kumander Abdulazis “Dante” Batingolo.

☘️As a core member of the From Arms to Farms Program in Kauswagan and one of the original commanders who responded to Vice Mayor Rommel Arnado’s reconciliatory attempt and call for transformational actions, he contributed to a powerful change in the lives of people. And as former leader and Spokesperson for the organization, Kumander Dante played an important part in the pursuit of a better future for all.

🕊️Kauswagan stands stronger because of his contribution, his courage, and his unwavering commitment to unity. We honor his memory by continuing the work of peace he so passionately championed.

On behalf of Mayor Sonia A. Arnado, Vice Mayor Rommel C. Arnado, the Sangguniang Bayan ng Kauswagan, all barangay captains and officials, LGU department heads and all employees and personnel and the people of the Municipality of Kauswagan, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire community during this difficult time.❤️

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ) "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we shall return.”

27/04/2026

We participated in the successful program for the 15th Annual Sustainable Agri-Aqua Fair in time for the festive celebration of Hugyaw sa Kadagatan 2026 in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.