NEGROS ORIENTAL, Aug. 28 (PIA) -- The Negros Oriental Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NOTF-ELCAC) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) turned over on Wednesday livelihood starter kits to 26 former Militia ng Bayan (MB) members at Barangay McKinley, Guihulngan City.
A total of P260,000 livelihood assistance was personally awarded by DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio.
The 26 former MBs received P10,000 each worth of mini-groceries, livestock such as goats and pigs with feeds grower and vitamins, and sacks of rice as their starter kits.
These Militia ng Bayan members operating in Central Negros surrendered voluntarily to government troops under the 62nd Infantry Battalion.
The distribution of livelihood assistance to MBs is part of DTI’s launching of livelihood seeding program "Pangkabuhayan sa pag Bangon at Ginhawa" (DTI-PBG) that aims to uplift and provide livelihood assistance to entrepreneurs, especially micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in areas hit by fire and other calamities including ELCAC areas.
The move was in line with the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to capacitate and support former rebels in going back to mainstream society and becoming productive citizens.
In his message, Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes of Guihulngan City said "Kamong mga masa ang mas nakaila ana nila, hangyuon ninyo sila nga magbalik sa gobyerno, akun silang tabangan nga mag bag o ang ilang kinabuhi (I know that you know well your companions in the NPA more than us. Help us encourage them to surrender to our government, abandon the armed struggle and we will help them to renew their lives)."
“You can avail of E-CLIP and other government services, and the City Government of Guihulngan is willing to extend our assistance to help you start a new life with your families,” added Reyes.
Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, commanding officer of 62nd Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army, said, the program aims to "capacitate the 26 former MBs who were recipients of the E-CLIP to innovate income-generating activities that could advance their economic status.”
DTI conducted an assessment on the recipients’ business interest if they were asked to choose which business to undertake, said Flores.
He added the 62IB will continue to support the former rebels and MBs in coordination and collaboration with different government agencies.
Meanwhile, Col. Michael Samson, deputy brigade commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade who graced the occasion in behalf of Brigade Commander in his statement said that, “These livelihood kits symbolize a good start of building your future. We are very thankful that our partner agencies did their part and shared their resources in support of the implementation of ELCAC.”
“The government’s outpouring support to you in order to start anew is useless if you yourselves lack willingness to thrive, we are just an instrument towards your success in your chosen businesses, hence, we are hoping for a great change in your lives as you return to the mainstream society and live peacefully together with your families,” Colonel Samson added. (jct/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from CMO Officer Cpt. Kelvin Bayaban of 303IB, PA)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1051918
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