Ten former rebels get livelihood assistance from OPAPP

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 20): Ten former rebels get livelihood assistance from OPAPP

Life is a lot better now that they have returned to the folds of the law. Thus said a former rebel (FR) who had to make a difficult but firm decision to leave the underground movement in order to build a new life under a legitimate government. Being a young mother, “Lolita” whose family roots originated at barangay Pagbabangnan of San Julian town, said, she has big and thousands reasons to return home and be at peace with her family. With the P50,000 livelihood assistance, she said, she can plant peanuts and pineapple. A male FR, also a recipient of the same amount said he will engage in coconut copra buy and sell endeavor. His house, being close to the Army Camp in Oras town, adds to his strong drive to do small scale business and just leave his involvement in the revolutionary movement to history. A young man and FR had some realizations and even shared some of his learnings from his life in the hills, to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), with a punch line saying: Dire man ngay-an maraot it goberno. [After all, government is not bad at all]. Governor Conrado Nicart Jr. told the FRs that the livelihood projects will be monitored in three-year time, that is why, they should not be surprised when a spot visitation will be done to them.  As required, the FRs pass through a series of screening before they are declared qualified to avail of government’s livelihood assistance from OPAPP’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan(PAMANA).

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1231355900953