Negros Occidental provincial gov’t finalizing settlement sites for RPA-ABB rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 18): Negros Occidental provincial gov’t finalizing settlement sites for RPA-ABB rebels
 

The provincial government of Negros Occidental is finalizing the settlement sites for the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) as part of the group’s peace agreement with the national government.

Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning and development officer, said she is optimistic the signing of the closure agreement will proceed after the resettlement areas are established.

The proposed resettlement area for about 155 members of the RPM-P/RPA/ABB in San Carlos City is in Barangay Palampas while the site for 87 members in Cadiz City and nearby areas is in Barangay Gawahon, Victorias City.

Sanogal said the RPM-P/RPA/ABB members will also be given P100,000 worth of core shelter per family, livelihood assistance, livestock, and agricultural inputs.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is negotiating with RPM-P/RPA/ABB Tabara Paduano Group (TPG) now known as Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (KPP) as part of their compliance with the provisions of the peace agreement they signed with the government in year 2000.

During her recent visit to Negros Occidental, OPAPP Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval in a meeting with the provincial officials, said the signing of the closure agreement could probably take place during the first quarter of the year.

Sandoval said they have been conducting "due diligence to ensure that all components of the agreements are all settled before the (closure) agreement is signed."

 

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=736837