Cusi donates P500-K seed fund for livelihood of rebel returnees

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 17, 2020): Cusi donates P500-K seed fund for livelihood of rebel returnees

SEED FUND. Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Region 4B (Mimaropa) and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (left) inspects firearms surrendered by rebel returnees in Bongabon, Oriental Mindoro Monday (Nov. 16, 2020). Cusi personally donated PHP500,000 seed fund for livelihood program that would benefit 25 rebel returnees. (Contributed photo)

BONGABONG, Oriental Mindoro – Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Region 4B (Mimaropa) and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has personally donated PHP500,000 to serve as seed fund for a livelihood program that would benefit 25 rebel returnees in the province.

Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) Chairman and Bongabong Mayor Elegio A. Malaluan presented the rebel returnees to Cusi and accepted the donation in a ceremonial handover at the Umali Gymnasium here on Monday.

Inspired by the turnout of rebel returnees, Cusi commended the efforts of the MTF-ELCAC, local counterpart of the National TF-ELCAC which was created under Executive Order No. 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace.

The NTF-ELCAC also aims to synchronize the utilization of the government's instrumentalities of power with the capabilities of private sector stakeholders “to finally end the 50-year long deceit, lies and atrocities committed by the communist terrorists against the people.”

Cusi reiterated Duterte’s call for unity to achieve sustainable peace and economic development in the country.

Earlier, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples recognized Cusi as IP Advocate and Champion for Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan).

The NCIP bestowed the award on Cusi in celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) Month and the 23rd year of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 on Oct. 15, 2020.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1122063