Peace office to give P500-M aid to ex-rebels

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 18, 2019): Peace office to give P500-M aid to ex-rebels

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will give about P500 million worth of livelihood and social protection assistance to former members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) and their families.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a recent visit to Bacolod City that the assistance is part of the government’s efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace in the region.

The assistance includes social protection programs, capacity development, livelihood and employment assistance, housing assistance and financial aid to former combatants and their families.

“We are committed to help former combatants in their transformation to productive and normal civilian lives. We want them to feel the dividends of peace,” Galvez said.

The assistance is part of the implementation of the Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID) to the 2000 Peace Agreement, formulated in consultation with the (RPA-ABB) Tabara-Paduano Group and Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Lipunan and concurred in by various national government agencies.

The CID had five components — disposition of arms and forces (DAF) and security arrangements; social and economic reintegration of the RPMP/RPA/ABB-TPG/Kapatiran; release of the remaining alleged political offenders; transformation of the members into civilian organizations engaging in socio-economic and political activities; and community peace dividends.
While the document is expected to be signed this year, the government has begun undertaking socio-economic interventions to boost development in the communities.

https://www.manilatimes.net/peace-office-to-give-p500-m-aid-to-ex-rebels/527353/