Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Govt's reintegration programs help former rebels to rebuild lives—Andanar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 21, 2020): Govt's reintegration programs help former rebels to rebuild lives—Andanar (By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy) 

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Oct. 21 (PIA)—Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday said that the skills training and livelihood programs offered by the government to the ex-rebels facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society and be productive members of their communities.

In his visit to the Adlay crop fields grown by 50 former rebels (FRs) inside the Army’s 403rd Infantry ‘Peacemaker’ Brigade camp in Malaybalay City, Secretary Andanar lauded the ex-rebels’ great zeal for the cause of a renewed life.

He said the flourishing Adlay crops farm of the former rebels is a proof that the government’s efforts on ending the local communist armed conflict comes to fruition.

“The government is sincere in improving the lives of the former rebels by giving them financial assistance and sustainable source of livelihood for them to support their families,” the PCOO Secretary said.

He added that the government programs offered to those rebels who decide to surrender include formal employment whether local and abroad through skills training, livelihood projects which include mushroom production, meat processing, sari-sari store or swine production, and “Habal-habal” motor mechanic, among others.

Through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) former rebels are offered a more holistic package of benefits such as education, housing, medical assistance, legal assistance, firearms remuneration, psychosocial assistance, market livelihood and employment opportunities.

“With the government’s varied programs on reintegration offered to our former rebels, we are hoping that more [rebels] will return to the fold of law and seek a peaceful and productive life,” the Secretary said.

Andanar who is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Northern Mindanao is full of hope that these 50 former rebel farmers who prospered in their Adlay crops and mushroom production inside the camp will serve as examples that will encourage others who are still with the rebel movement to give up the way of violence and embrace the path of peace and development. (RLRB/PIA Bukidnon)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056578

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