ILIGAN CITY – The Philippine Army’s Eighth Infantry Battalion (8th IB) and the Impasugong local government unit (LGU) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a P5-million rehabilitation center, or halfway house, for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels last Sunday, May 24.
The Philippine Army and Impasugong LGU break ground to start the construction of a P5 million rehab center or Halfway House for the ex-New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. Located in Magbuliga Development Complex, Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon, the Halfway House will rise in a one-hectare land donated by Impasugong LGU.
The halfway house will rise in a one-hectare land located at the Magbuliga Development Complex, Poblacion, which was donated by the Impasug-ong LGU.
In a statement, Engr. Carmelo Enrique Libot, provincial director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bukidnon, said the structure will house former rebels (FRs) who returned to the folds of the law.
He clarified that the facility will provide services such as psychological and psychosocial counseling, livelihood training, and capacity building activities to help the FRs cope with their confidence and freedom.
“This activity is a genuine proof that the government is very serious in helping out our former rebels. This is not just an effort of DILG, this is not just an effort of the municipality, the province, the Army, and PNP, but it is the effort of all of us”, said Libot.
“This is our way of supporting the government’s ‘whole-of-nation approach’ to finally end insurgency,” he added.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr., further explained that the halfway house, staffed by counselors and aides, would assist the FRs in preparing for their reintegration into mainstream society.
Impasugong town mayor Anthony Uy, who also graced the event, said working together is the key to our success.
“Without proper coordination and link up, this halfway house will not be realized.
This initiative will surely bolster our efforts to encourage the NPA rebels to lay down their arms and avail of the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) said Mayor Uy.
Meanwhile, Col. Ferdinand Barandon, 403rd brigade commander who is also the Co-chairman of Bukidnon ECLIP Committee, said the Army and the Department of Agriculture would establish an agricultural farm for self-sufficiency while the ex-rebels make their transition back into community life.
Reports showed that, to date, a total of 524 FRs, both regular and “Milisyang Bayan (NPA supporters),” have returned to the folds of the law and their benefits are now being processed by the Bukidnon E-CLIP committee.
“I am so happy. God is so good that amidst the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, great things happen”, said Barandon.
“We only dreamed of this many years ago but now we are getting started. After seven months from now, this rehab center will be completed and will cater FRs from around the province”, he stated.
He is positive that the creation of this center will effect change.
“I visualize that in this center, many lives will be transformed and families will be reunited. We will together bring back the dignity of a human being taken by the NPA from our fellow Filipinos,” Barandon added.
In a statement, Engr. Carmelo Enrique Libot, provincial director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bukidnon, said the structure will house former rebels (FRs) who returned to the folds of the law.
He clarified that the facility will provide services such as psychological and psychosocial counseling, livelihood training, and capacity building activities to help the FRs cope with their confidence and freedom.
“This activity is a genuine proof that the government is very serious in helping out our former rebels. This is not just an effort of DILG, this is not just an effort of the municipality, the province, the Army, and PNP, but it is the effort of all of us”, said Libot.
“This is our way of supporting the government’s ‘whole-of-nation approach’ to finally end insurgency,” he added.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr., further explained that the halfway house, staffed by counselors and aides, would assist the FRs in preparing for their reintegration into mainstream society.
Impasugong town mayor Anthony Uy, who also graced the event, said working together is the key to our success.
“Without proper coordination and link up, this halfway house will not be realized.
This initiative will surely bolster our efforts to encourage the NPA rebels to lay down their arms and avail of the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) said Mayor Uy.
Meanwhile, Col. Ferdinand Barandon, 403rd brigade commander who is also the Co-chairman of Bukidnon ECLIP Committee, said the Army and the Department of Agriculture would establish an agricultural farm for self-sufficiency while the ex-rebels make their transition back into community life.
Reports showed that, to date, a total of 524 FRs, both regular and “Milisyang Bayan (NPA supporters),” have returned to the folds of the law and their benefits are now being processed by the Bukidnon E-CLIP committee.
“I am so happy. God is so good that amidst the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, great things happen”, said Barandon.
“We only dreamed of this many years ago but now we are getting started. After seven months from now, this rehab center will be completed and will cater FRs from around the province”, he stated.
He is positive that the creation of this center will effect change.
“I visualize that in this center, many lives will be transformed and families will be reunited. We will together bring back the dignity of a human being taken by the NPA from our fellow Filipinos,” Barandon added.
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