Monday, November 9, 2020

33 former rebels receive livelihood grant from DSWD-2

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 9, 2020): 33 former rebels receive livelihood grant from DSWD-2 (By Merlito G. Edale and 5th Infantry Battalion)


The Sustainable Livelihood Program FO2 led the awarding of Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) to 33 Former Rebels (FRs) from Isabela province through its Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Lucia S. Alan, Promotive Services Division Chief Pasencia T. Ancheta and Regional Program Coordinator Noel T. Domingo.

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, Nov. 9 (PIA) - At least 33 Former Rebels from Isabela received Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) amounting to P660,000.

The awarding of financial assistance was held at the Capitol Amphitheater attended by DSWD - 2 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Lucia Alan and representatives from the Department of the Interior and local Government (DILG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Provincial Government of Isabela and 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.


Alan said the DSWD and other government agencies converged to give the necessary benefits to former rebels and those still active in the member who wish to surrender and return to the folds of law.

“Sa ating mga kababayang napili na benepisyaryo ng proyektong ito, nawa’y pagyamanin ninyo at payabungin ang munting tulong na ibinahagi ng gobyerno. Sa pamamagitan ng dasal at positibong pananaw sa buhay, makakamit din nating lahat ang kaunlaran at kapayapaan na matagal na nating inaasam-asam”, she said.

Each former rebel received P20,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD and relief packs from the Provincial Government of Isabela.

Of the 33 FRs, 26 came from the municipality of San Mariano, three from the municipality of Jones, three from the municipality of Echague, and one from the City of Ilagan.

Alan said the other six former rebels will be scheduled for pay-out to complete the 39 recipients of LSG in the province.

Alyas Jimboy, one of the beneficiaries expressed his gratitude to the government for the livelihood assistance.

“Malayong-malayo ang sitwasyon ko ngayong nagbalik-loob na ako sa pamahalaan kumpara noong nasa loob pa ako ng kilusan. Hirap at gutom lang ang naranasan ko sa teroristang grupo kumpara sa tinatamasa ko ngayong matahimik at maayos na pamumuhay. Labis ang aking pasasalamat sa gobyerno dahil sa walang tigil na pagkalinga sa aming mga nagbalik-loob,” he said.

Baby Jane Morales, another beneficiary, thanked the government upon receiving the financial aid. She then urged the remaining members of the New People’s Army to surrender to the government.

“Walang katapusan ang aking pasasalamat sa ating pamahalaan dahil sa pagtupad sa inyong pangako na mapabuti ang aming kalagayan. Sa mga natitira pang mga miyembro at sumusuporta sa rebeldeng NPA, hinihikayat ko kayo na ibaba na ang inyong mga armas at magbalik loob sa pamahalaan,” Alias Baby Jane said.

For his part, BGen Laurence E Mina PA, commander of 5ID said that the Command will work hand in hand with other government agencies to help facilitate the benefits intended for the former rebels thru the E-CLIP.

“The assistance of the government to the former rebels will give more reasons for the remaining NPAs to surrender not soon, but now. I thank the different government agencies and the provincial and local government units for doing a great job in ending the insurgency in the region,”he added.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Atty. Noel Manuel Lopez said the P20,000 financial assistance from DSWD and DILG is just the first of the many benefits the former rebels will be receiving from the government as other benefits are already in the pipe line.

He said the Provincial Government through the BRO Programs will give additional aid to the former rebels and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office’s livelihood program for former rebels are already prepared and soon will the distributed to them. (MDCT/MGE/PIA 2-Isabela)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1058444

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