Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 28, 2020): 2 Former Rebels from 23rd Infantry Battalion Receive Housing Units in Davao del Norte
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – Two (2) former regular members of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) who temporarily stay at the 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion Headquarters won a housing unit through the Raffle Draw of Lot Assignments and Awarding of Certificate of Entitlement conducted by the National Housing Authority Davao del Norte (NHA-Davao del Norte) at the covered of the Court of Freedom Residences in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte last November 25, 2020.
The activity was conducted by NHA-Davao del Norte for the forty-seven (47) qualified former rebels (FRs) who are beneficiaries under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Two of the 47 FRs were from the 23rd IB identified as Alias Roy, 40, former Squad Leader of SDG16, GFC16, NCMRC who surrendered to the unit on 06 March 2018 and Alias Derek, 25, former squad leader 1, Platoon 1, SDG DOVE, GFC 88, NCMRC and surrendered to the unit on 06 April 2018.
Both Roy and Derek are now reintegrated into their respective communities after receiving their livelihood assistance, firearms remuneration and after undergoing different skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Derek expressed happiness upon winning his housing unit and thanked the different line agencies of the government who provided him support.
“Dako kaayo ang akong pasalamat sa tanang nitabang nako aron maka sugod ko pag usab sa akong kinabuhi labi na sa mga programa ug proyekto ni Pangulong Duterte nga iyang gituman. Sukad pagbalik nako sa sabakan sa gobyerno daghan kaayong ayuda ang akong nadawat ug nakatabang kini kanako ug sa akong pamilya aron nga magkabaton ug normal nga pagpuyo. Daghan kaayong salamat kay nakasabot mo sa among kahimtang ug mihatag sa among mga kinahanglanon kay dili mi maka patukod ug balay kung kami-kami lang. Wala gyod mi gikalimtan sa gobyerno sukad sa una hangtod karon. Hinaot nga makita usab sa uban namong mga kauban kung unsa ang mga pagpaningkamot sa gobyerno aron nga ila nang byaan ang armadong kaihukan nga maoy nag guba sa ilang kinabuhi ug kaugmaon,” Derek said.
Sarah Gardose of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Davao Del Norte who was among those who supervised the awarding program for the FRs expressed her gratitude towards the said activity and further encouraged the recipients to become responsible citizens for their families.
“We are so lucky because this was the third time that we conduct this raffle draw. House is one of our basic needs and once we owned a house, we also have a home to live with our families and loved ones wherein we can easily start living a new life. We are so much thankful to the NHA for addressing the needs of our fellow Filipinos who are now starting over their new life and badly needing a house to live with. We hope that these new 47 FRs can start living their normal lives as normal civilians with the help of this housing project. Once you will transfer here, please also be responsible for finding a good source of livelihood because this will be your new residency and you are expected to live here so that your housing unit will not just be wasted. Although our government agencies are always willing to help and provide for your needs, we still encourage you to find a livelihood to provide your daily basic needs and be an independent individual. This is not for us, but for you and your family as a whole,” Gardose said.
Engr. Zenaida M. Cabiles, the regional director of NHA in Davao Region also expressed gladness upon seeing the jubilation of the FRs after receiving their housing units.
“Before we award these housing units, we had an agreement first with the beneficiaries that they should live here permanently and that they will not leave their housing unit in the near future. Once you opted for our housing assistance here, you should wholeheartedly accept the reality that you will be living and occupy it,” Cabiles said.
She pointed out that housing assistance is part of the comprehensive program of the government under the implementation of EO 70.
“Before, you haven’t seen the efforts of the government that’s why you entered in the armed group believing that they will provide all your needs, but then, later you realized that it was just a mere deception for you to enter in their organization. Now that you come back to the folds of the law, the government has poured out all the assistance you need. We hope that you will be happy with all the assistance that was given to you and we hope that the continuous collaboration and partnership with all the government agencies will become stronger. We will combat insurgency to end the local communist armed conflict in the Philippines and make our FRs be part of our society again,” Cabiles said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the acting commanding officer of 23rd IB extended his congratulations to the two FRs from the unit.
“We are so glad that you finally have your own house through the E-CLIP program of the government.
He noted the difficulties in building a house nowadays given the difficult situation the country is facing, among them the pandemic that the government is fighting to contain.
“We have to consider the availability of a housing lot and money to buy the needed materials. But because our government promised to help the members of the CNTs once they lay down their arms, leave armed struggle and go back to the folds of the law, the government will address all their needs to help them start a new life,” Paulo said.
He emphasized the government’s concern for its people through the implementation of various programs and services aimed to achieve lasting peace and genuine development.
“We hope that your triumphs in life will be seen by the remnants of the CNTs and they will also heed to our call for peace to end the insurgency,” Paulo said.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
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