Ex-NPA supporters in Zambo Norte get livelihood training

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21, 2022): Ex-NPA supporters in Zambo Norte get livelihood training (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Fourteen former communist New People's Army (NPA) supporters, dubbed as “Alsa Masa” in Zamboanga del Norte, will participate in a 23-day livelihood skills training, officials said Thursday.

Capt. Mary Jephte Mañebog, 1st Infantry Division information officer, said Thursday the recipients will undergo Masonry National Certificate 1 (NC1) training starting August 1 to be conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Sindangan town.

The beneficiaries are from the far-flung sitios (sub-village) of Matagnay and Makinaryas, in Barangay Bunawan, Godod town.

Barangay Bunawan is a New People’s Army (NPA)- cleared village in Godod and a beneficiary of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) for Calendar Year 2022.

“The Alsa Masa were former supporters of the NPA. After we co-opted them to our side, they became Alsa Masa against the NPA,” said Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, in a text message Thursday.

Each of the recipients will receive PHP160 support fund daily for the duration of their training. Everyone will also receive PHP500 new normal allowance and PHP500 t-shirt allowance.

Hermil Contavida, TESDA Provincial Training Center (PTC) administrator of Sindangan, said the trainees masonry project will be a health center for Sitio Makinaryas that will aid in the health concerns of the local populace.

The TESDA-PTC will provide the materials with counterpart from Barangay Bunawan for the construction of the health center in Sitio Makinaryas.

Lt. Col. Filven Noche, 44th Infantry Battalion commander, vowed to sustain their support to the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster to uplift the living condition and quality of life of recipients.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179478