Ex-rebels, militias in Negros showcase handicrafts in agro-fair

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13, 2023): Ex-rebels, militias in Negros showcase handicrafts in agro-fair (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

LIVELIHOOD. Former rebels and Civilian Active Auxiliary members display their handicrafts at the Agro-Fair in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental province on Wednesday (July 12, 2023). The 10 FRs and 20 CAAs completed a 6-day training on mat weaving and making handicrafts from pandan leaves. (Photo courtesy of the 62IB)

DUMAGUETE CITY - Ten former communist rebels and 20 Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) members of the Philippine Army have completed training on handicraft-making which will boost their income.

They displayed their finished handicrafts such as woven bags during the charter day anniversary Agro-Fair on Wednesday in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental province.

Lt. Col. William Pesase, commanding officer of the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that the former rebels and CAAs completed last week a six-day training on pandan weaving in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry.

During the training, two FRs also received certificates of recognition from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) in Region VII as community-based trainers on pandan bags, decor, and mat weaving.

"This program aims to capacitate the participants to enhance their skills through production and marketing of high-quality pandan leaf products and help FRs and the CAAs who are force multipliers to have an additional source of income," Pesase said.

The training is also part of government efforts under the whole-of-nation approach to end the Communist insurgency, he added.

The training was also in collaboration with the local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, the Guihulngan local government, and the provincial government.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205576