23 former rebels in North Samar receive livelihood cash assistance

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 30): 23 former rebels in North Samar receive livelihood cash assistance

Some 23 former New People's Army rebels recently received livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and from the Provincial Government of Northern Samar. The former rebels who were members of Batakang Organisasyon han Partido (BOP), a CPP/NPA mass organization in the barangays received a total of P355,000 as livelihood financial assistance through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of OPAPP and the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of Northern Samar, Lt. Colonel Noel Vestuir, commanding officer of the 20th Infantry Battalion said. A turn over ceremony was held at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office on November 28.

Six former NPA regulars received P40,000 each; One unit militiaman received P10,000 as cash assistance; four BOP leaders received P5,000 each; seven facilitators or those who worked out and negotiated for the surrender of NPA regulars also received P5,000 each; and the 18 members of the defunct BOP received a livelihood cash assistance amounting to P50,000. The giving of said financial assistance came after the conduct of a three - day social preparation cum livelihood workshop on reintegration and rehabilitation conducted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Northern Samar.  The seminar workshop hoped to prepare the former NPA regulars, Militia and BOP members as they will be reintegrated into the mainstream society to start new, normal and decent lives along with their families. The three-day workshop was attended by Ms. Carmen Mejia of Northern Samar PSWDO; Fr. Fred Placa, Pastoral Director, Diocese of Catarman; Ms. Maricel Bantilo, representative of OPAPP; PSSupt Isias Tonog, Provincial Director, NSPPO; top ranking military officers and friends from the media. The seminar workshop included sessions on Financial and Home management; Understanding and overcoming obstacles in starting a business; Getting to Know you; Choosing the Right Livelihood Project; Marketing Strategies; Financial Recording; and Spiritual Enlightenment and Recollection.
The former NPA regulars, militia and BOP members came out and voluntarily surfaced after the series of Bayanihan Team activities conducted by the troops of 20IB in the province. “These former NPA regulars, militia and BOP members, after knowing the programs of the government that would indeed help them in starting a new life, have realized the futility of their continued resistance and support to the terrorist group, ”Lt. Colonel Vestuir said. Vestuir also called on other NPA regulars, militia and members of CPP/NPA allied organizations to come out and rejoin their former comrades in the mainstream society.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1141354198180