JOB-READY. A total of 59 former New People’s Army (NPA) members and supporters graduated in Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday (Dec. 27, 2019) from a month-long livelihood skills training conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The training is part of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. (Photo courtesy of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division Public Information Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A total of 59 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and supporters in Zamboanga Sibugay are now job-ready as they completed a one-month skills training conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Dr. Noralaine Rasul, TESDA regional director, said the livelihood training the former rebels and supporters have completed included shielded metal arc welding, food processing, and cake baking.
Rasul congratulated the graduates and hoped that more former rebels would enroll for them to gain skills and jobs, which is beneficial for their families.
The graduation of the former rebels was held at the Multipurpose Building in Barangay Guinoman, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday.
Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, pledged to work and encourage more NPA surrenderers to sustain the gains of peace and development in the province.
Templonuevo was the one who facilitated the surrender of former NPA rebels and their supporters and assisted them to enroll for a skills training with TESDA.
“This fruitful endeavor is the result of the whole-of-nation approach and the convergence of the national government units and agencies in the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC),” said Col. Leonel Nicolas, the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander.
Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan Jr., the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN acting commander, was delighted by the successful activity and the choice of the former rebels to become productive individuals.
“This is the best gift you have received this Yuletide season. Use and take advantage of the skills you’ve just acquired and be a productive citizen in your communities,” Gaerlan told the former NPA rebels and supporters during the graduation ceremony.
He expressed hope that the graduates of the skills training would encourage their remaining comrades to follow their path, “stop the armed struggle, and live a normal life.”
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089640
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