Houses for rebel returnees now under construction

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 14): Houses for rebel returnees now under construction

The “Bayay Paglaum” (Home of Hope), a housing project for rebel returnees and their dependents, is now underway and will be fully implemented this year.

The “Bayay Paglaum” project is a peace village with cluster homes. Cottage industries, institutional facilities and an area for food production has been set up to give livelihood to the former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Beneficiaries of the “Bayay Paglaum” will have free education, either a college or vocational course through the provincial scholarship program.  They will also benefit from immediate employment in the provincial government, Philhealth coverage and other health services, 4P’s membership, skills and livelihood training with initial capital, six-month rice allowance, value formation and other capability building activities, and security/protection.

The program is a project of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte through the effort of Gov. Sol F. Matugas, with the support from the national government and the private sector.

The peace village has a complete water and lighting system.

“Residents in the peace village will help each other and practice ‘bayanihan’ in all communal activities,” said Gov. Matugas.

She said the three former NPA rebels who returned to the fold of the government last week will be the first to benefit from this project.

The three returnees received cash incentives under the provincial government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) to help them adjust and live normally in the mainstream society.

Gov. Matugas personally handed-over the cash assistance of R20,000 each during last week’s Provincial Peace and Order Council at Gateway Hotel, this city.

The three rebel returnees who surrendered to the 30th Infantry Batallion were identified as Vicente alias “Edward” Igong-Igong Jr., 19, from Barangay Bunyasan, Malimono, Surigao del Norte; Aljon alias “Maxi” Tagonsulod, 19, from Purok 4 Barangay Hinapuyan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur; and Jonathan alias “Rimwell” Bulag Arguilles, 29 from Purok 3 Liboon, Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City.

These rebel returnees are also set to receive cash assistance, in exchange for their surrendered firearms in line with the AFP’s “Balik Baril, Bayad-Agad” program.

http://www.mb.com.ph/houses-for-rebel-returnees-now-under-construction/