DTI hands livelihood starter kits to 39 ex-NPA rebels in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 23, 2020): DTI hands livelihood starter kits to 39 ex-NPA rebels in Bukidnon (By Norven Jay Garcia, CMO, 88IB)

MARAMAG, Bukidnon, September 21—Thirty-nine Former Rebels (FRs) of the New People’s Army (NPA) received livelihood starter kits delivered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in collaboration with 88th Infantry “Maringal” Battalion, Phillippine Army.

In a ceremony held at Headquarters 88IB, South Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon last September 4, DTI provincial director Eriberto A. Taban-ud Jr. said the project is part of the government’s assistance for FRs under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Each FR received a Sari-Sari Store Starter Kit consisting of wide-ranging assorted goods worth P8,000. All in all, DTI has distributed a total of 39 Starter Kits to the FRs amounting to P312,000.

“The department is very much honored to help the former rebels and be part of their new beginnings. As part of our department goals, we will do our best to offer and bring government services closer to them,” Taban-ud said.

He added that the said activity of DTI is being implemented through the “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa,” a livelihood and entrepreneurship program of the department.

Datu Dado, one of the FRs, thanked the government for helping them rise again and live peacefully.

“Dako kayo akong pasalamat sa gobyerno. Sa tinood lang gikan gyud ko sa Partido sa CPP-NPA. Wala man silay nahatag nga ingon ani sa akoa. Karon kay nagsurender ko, dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa DTI ug 88IB nga napakita ug napabati gyud sa amoa ang tinood nga serbisyo. Dako kaayo ni nga tabang. Salamat kayo gikan sa akong kasingkasing. (I am very thankful to our government for providing us their services that we never experienced from the CPP-NPA. Now that I surrendered, I am now a beneficiary of any government programs. I am thankful to DTI and 88IB for bringing us the genuine government services. My heartfelt gratitude to all of you),” Datu Dado said.

Lieutenant Colonel Franklin F. Fabic, Commanding Officer of 88IB, thanked the DTI for helping the 88IB in its efforts to support the FRs while the government prepares them (FRs) for reintegration into the mainstream and live normal lives.

“Thank you for being our partner in winning the peace and bringing the government closer to the people especially to our FRs who became victims of the wrong ideology of communist terrorists. Your assistance will greatly contribute to their new endeavors of rejoining the mainstream society,” the 88IB commander said. (CMO, 88IB, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053987