Kalinaw News: Philippine Army, LGU, OPAg provide livelihood assistance to POs in Aurora

From Kalinaw News (Mar 16, 2023): Philippine Army, LGU, OPAg provide livelihood assistance to POs in Aurora

BALER, Aurora-Aiding people’s organizations (POs) who are former rebels and supporters, the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, local government unit of Maria Aurora and the office of the provincial agriculturist (OPAg) turned over livelihood assistance in separate occasions on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said in an interview that the latest batch was facilitated by him together with Charlie Company commander 1st Lieutenant Stewart A. Cerbo and Mayor Ariel Bitong in the awarding of Livelihood Assistance worth Php30,000 to Dianawan Upland Farmers Association (PO) and Php35,000 to Buloy Upland Farmers Association (PO) for (Feeds) held at Mayor Bitong’s office, Barangay 2, Maria, Aurora, Aurora.

Recto said that the assistance is part of the battalion’s programs which aims to support the POs, farmers and fisherfolk by providing income-generating opportunities that will sustain their daily needs and help them become a self-sustaining organization in their communities.

He also thanked Mayor Bitong for the usual support and civicmindedness in helping POs in his town.

“Our Mayor facilitates the livelihood assistance, and we are very thankful to our LGU for the funding. We will monitor our POs to ensure the success and development of their project,” Recto said.

On the other hand, Mayor Bitong said that the government is doing its best efforts to help the people in providing livelihood resources to all the communities once affected by armed conflict or insurgency.

“Kami sa LGU ay tumutugon, sana ay makatulong ito sa inyo at maging kapakipakinabang. Kayo po ang kauna-unahang binigyan naming ng ganitong tulong ngayong taon,” Bitong said.

He is hopeful that through the livelihood assistance and intervention of 91st IB more ex-rebels will be benefited to the peace-building initiatives of the government in fulfillment and attainment of a sustainable, just, and lasting peace.

Upland Farmer Association President Bobby Nevada Buloy said he was very thankful for the assistance poured into their association.

Dianawan Upland Farmers Association President Rubelyn Valiete said that she was so happy for the assistance.

“Sana po ay mas marami pa silang matulungan na iba pang mga tao na mahihirap na katulad naming,” Valiete said.

Meanwhile, a total of 6,000 tilapia fingerlings to POs Sambayanan Association and Masaganang Perlas ng Aurora province were also given by the OPAg through the efforts of 91st IB on the same day.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/philippine-army-lgu-opag-provide-livelihood-assistance-to-pos-in-aurora/