Ex-NPA rebels, IPs get housing project in Sibugay town

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5, 2021): Ex-NPA rebels, IPs get housing project in Sibugay town (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

HOUSING PROJECTS. Mayor Jarvis Acosta (right) of Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Maj. Cyril Noel Ates, the Army's 44th Infantry Battalion (IB) executive officer, confer with each other after the signing Thursday (Feb. 4, 2021) of a memorandum of agreement with the National Housing Authority for the implementation of two housing projects for former New People's Army rebels and supporters, and indigenous peoples. Also in photo is Engr. Al-Khwarizmi Indanan, NHA district manager. (Photo courtesy of the 44th IB)

Two housing projects are set to be implemented for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and indigenous peoples (IPs) in Zamboanga Sibugay province, a military official said Friday.

Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, commander of the Army's 44th Infantry Battalion, said the housing projects to be established in Barangays Balagon and Mirangan in Siay town, Zamboanga Sibugay, would benefit 210 recipients.

Templonuevo said the recipients consist of 110 former NPA rebels from Barangay Mirangan, and 100 former NPA supporters and IP families in Barangay Balagon.

Templonuevo said a memorandum of agreement was signed Thursday by Siay Mayor Jarvis Acosta, chairperson of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC); Engr. Al-Khwarizmi Indanan, National Housing Authority (NHA) district manager; and Maj. Cyril Noel Ates, 44th IB executive officer, for the implementation of the two housing projects.

He said the housing projects are in line with Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in late 2018.

E.O. 70 institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1129785