BACOLOD CITY: A total of 14 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have received PHP280,000 in livelihood grants from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as part of the government assistance to help them rebuild their lives.
Capt. Elizaldy Responzo, civil-military operations officer of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Tuesday that five of the recipients surrendered through their unit.
Seven yielded through the 62nd IB, and the remaining two through the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.
These former rebels include combatants and Yunit Militia members, he added.
The recipients, who received PHP20,000 each, were from the cities of Sagay and Escalante, as well as the municipality of Isabela.
The assistance was turned over by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in the presence of Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, in rites held at the Provincial Capitol on Monday.
The former rebels also received food packs from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
In a statement, Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commanding officer of 79IB, said they work with other government agencies to help facilitate the benefits intended for the former rebels.
“They are now in a better position to have sustainable source of livelihood that would aid them in integrating back to the society, and be productive citizens and agents of peace in their respective communities,” he added.
The beneficiaries received the DSWD – Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Livelihood Settlement Grant under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The special livelihood intervention provides former rebels and their respective families with PHP20,000, to be used as their seed capital fund in starting a small business or income-generating project of their choice
Source: Philippines News Agency