14 former rebels thank gov't for livelihood aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 6, 2021): 14 former rebels thank gov't for livelihood aid (By Samuel Toledo)

DOLE-Bicol regional director Joel Gonzales (File photo)

Fourteen former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from different towns of Sorsogon province who were recipients of livelihood starter kits have expressed deep gratitude to the government for allowing them to start a new life.

The starter kits distributed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday comprised of jigs, tools, and various equipment worth more than PHP250,000.

“With grateful hearts, the rebel returnees thanked the government for their starter kits as they now live free of fear and apprehension and with hopes to start their lives anew,” DOLE-Bicol director Joel Gonzales said in an interview on Friday.

One of the recipients, "Maria” (not her real name), 48, said: “Nakaintra ako sa dati kong grupo dahil sa impluwensya ninda sako. Estudyante pa sana ako, na engganyo na ninda akong mag intra ta sa harong mi mismo sinda nagdadaragos tapos nagkakaraon. Mapagal palan maging sarong rebelde kaya salamatunon tabi saindo ta saro ako sa mga nahatagan nin kabuhayan hali sa DOLE,” she recalled. (I was able to join our underground movement because they influenced me. While I was still a student, they already lured me to join them because they were taking shelter and eat food in our house. It was really very difficult to be a rebel, that’s why I thank you all because I am one of those who were handed with this livelihood assistance from DOLE)."

Another beneficiary, "Jose” (not his real name), 43, a two-year course graduate, had been active in the rebel group for five years before he finally left the armed struggle.

Through the skills training given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), he was able to secure a certificate for Shielded Metal Arc Welding.

Marilyn L. Luzuriaga, DOLE provincial director of Sorsogon, said “the government through its agencies and units are always willing to help especially for those people who are displaced and marginalized -- DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit is one of them”.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1129814