127 former CPLA members to start work as forest guards

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 14): 127 former CPLA members to start work as forest guards

One hundred  twenty seven former members of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) are set to start work next week as forest guards  for the National Greening Program (NGP) under  the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR provincial office Forest Management Specialist Christopher Bosaing said their office is finalizing the contract of service of the former rebels in time for their employment this middle of March.

Started last year, the hiring of former CPLA members as forest guards is part of the government’s economic reintegration and livelihood programs for former rebels for them to be productive residents that contribute to the attainment of peace in their communities.

Bosaing said of the 127, 73 will be assigned in the Community Environment and Natural Resource Office – Sabangan  which covers  the  municipalities  of Barlig, Bauko, Besao, Bontoc, Sabangan, Sadanga, Sagada and Tadian while 54 will work in the CENRO – Paracelis covering  the  towns  of Natonin and Paracelis.

He said those hired will specifically help in the protection and maintenance of the different NGP plantations in the province, assist in manning DENR and Police checkpoints in coordination with the anti-illegal logging task force while others are assigned in DENR or CENR offices depending on their educational backgrounds.

Prior to their deployment, those hired will undergo an orientation-seminar for them to know their duties and responsibilities as well as office decorum to be conducted by the staff of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the DENR.

They  will work for six months with a monthly salary of P8,000 inclusive of Pag-ibig and tax deductions and could be renewed depending on the performance or the recommendation of the DENR and subject also to the availability of funds.

Earlier, local officials here lauded the OPAPP and the DENR in providing employment to the former rebels saying this  will help sustain the forest covers and green sceneries of the province.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=131394617683