Catarman: The Department of National Defense (DND) assessed the operations of "Balay Darangpan," the provincial government's halfway house for former rebels that supports the central government's peace and reintegration initiatives, officials said. DND officials led by Col. Marcelo Valdez Jr. of the National Task Force Balik-Loob inspected the facility in Catarman, Northern Samar, and had a dialogue with beneficiaries currently enrolled in the program.

According to Philippines News Agency, Valdez highlighted the province's recognition as the 2025 Best E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) implementer, which reflects its strong commitment to supporting former rebels in their return to mainstream society. Running the facility is a major component of the Balay Darangpan Reintegration Program, implemented in partnership with the provincial E-CLIP committee, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Task Force Balik-Loob member agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations.

The provincial government stated that "the program supports individuals who have chosen to return to the fold of the law and rebuild their lives with their families and in harmony with the communities." The current residents comprise the 10th batch of peacebuilders undergoing a three-month program, set to graduate this March after completing three reintegration modules designed to help them transition successfully to civilian life.

The "Balay Darangpan" halfway house is located inside the provincial social welfare and development office compound in Catarman. The initiative adopts the whole-of-nation approach to peace and development. Northern Samar is the most insurgency-affected province in Eastern Visayas, where remnants of two New People's Army guerilla fronts operate.