PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) - A P5million Halfway House for Former Rebels (FRs) will soon rise in Zamboanga del Sur as its groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday signals commencement of its construction.
The Government thru the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will build a facility for FRs, a reflection of its sturdy commitment and strong message that it is serious and laser focused on ending local communist armed groups and conflicts.
The said facility will be constructed inside the 16 hectare military reservation of the 53rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters, situated at Camp Sabido, Poblacion, Guipos, this province .
Of the 16 hectare military reservation, six is actually occupied by the battalion, while the ten is being used for its various projects for rebel returnees like the construction of the Halfway House and its “Arms to farms” projects.
The Halfway House will serve as temporary shelter for FRs while their documents for reintegration to mainstream government are being processed. The facility will serve as their home while preparing them for their benefits under the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
The facility will also serve as training center for the FRs, like skills and livelihood training; education and other related seminars and orientations.
“Kinasing-kasing namong pasalamat sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga nagtabang sa among mga ni surender labi na sa pagpatukod aning halfway center” (our heartfelt gratitude to agencies of government who helped us surrenderees, specially for the construction of this halfway center) said former NPA rebel aka Tingul.
“Sa tanang kauban nako nga naa sa kabukiran, dili ni binutbut, tinuod nga ang gobyerno mutabang sa atoa,” (to all my colleagues who are still in the mountains, this is not a lie, it is true, that there really is a government willing to help us) he added.
The Provincial Government will oversee the implementation of the Halfway House including the welfare of the surrenderees .
The groundbreaking ceremony was lead by Usec. Rene Glen O. Paje, DSWD Undersectary/RTF9-ELCAC Chairman and Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Governor Victor Yu along with officials of the DILG and Philippine Army. (EDT/JPA/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030805
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