Rebels-turned-livestock raisers nominated for provincial award

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 1): Rebels-turned-livestock raisers nominated for provincial award

Who would have thought that people who once held guns could vie for an award in the Outstanding Animal Raisers for Public-Private Partnership category of the 20th Panaad sa Negros next week?

Negros Occidental provincial veterinarian Dr. Renante Decena on Sunday said he received a nomination from the Negros First New Life for Peace and Progress Association, Inc., based in Cauayan town.

The association is composed of 41 rebel-returnees from various municipalities and cities of Southern Negros and have been in the mountains for years fighting the government, he said.

When they surrendered their guns, Decena said the provincial government through Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. provided them with livelihood assistance to help them start their new life in the plains.

Decena also said he is proud to receive a nomination coming from the former rebels.

From guns, their hands now held animals like free range chickens and piglets which were given to them as initial capital for their livelihood program, Decena said.

Scholarships were also given to the children of rebel returnees who wish to gain skills, he added.

The group now raises 350 heads of free range chickens, 13 piglets for their swine fattening project, and three units of egg machines with 144 heads of layers, he said.

Members also underwent entrepreneurial training and are now engaged in small scale business in their community, he said. Trainings on basic animal management and raising were given to them to equip them with the skills in managing their livestock animals, he added.

The Pasidungog sa Manugsagod Sapat 2013 which is among the events in the 20th Panaad sa Negros Festival that will be held April 8 to 14 will not only highlight the group of former rebels but all small livestock raisers and commercial breeders in Negros Occidental.

But the inclusion of the NFNLPPAI is heart-warming for Decena because this will give the former rebels more opportunities to show the people that they too can live a harmonious life, he said.

Decena said he appreciated the handwritten letter from the group that expressed the members' gratitude to the PVO and the province of Negros Occidental for all the support extended to them.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=512056