Ex-NPA underground members start micro-enterprise in Butuan

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31, 2024): Ex-NPA underground members start micro-enterprise in Butuan (By Alexander Lopez)

MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS. The Bitan-agan Makugihon Sustainable Livelihood Program Association in Barangay Bitan-agan, Butuan City, receives a PHP300,000 capital from the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Thursday (May 30, 2024). The group, composed of 30 former members of the underground mass organization of the New People's Army, surrendered to the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion in 2023. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)

BUTUAN CITY – A group of 30 former members of the underground mass organization (UGMO) of the communist New People's Army (NPA) are now engaged in micro-entrepreneurial activity through a sari-sari (retail) store in Barangay Bitan-agan here.

Among the former UGMO members who abandoned the communist group was "Nora," 41, who surrendered to the Philippine Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) last year.

"After we surrendered last year, the 23IB helped us organize our organization called the Bitan-agan Makugihon Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Association," she said in an interview on Friday.

Various government agencies also supported them through livelihood training and assistance, she added.

"I am one of the members of our organization who helped establish our consumer store and one of those who underwent micro-enterprise training," she said.

On Thursday, the group received a PHP300,000 capital through the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) SLP program.

"This SLP support from the government will help us expand our store operations. We are so thankful to the 23IB, the DSWD, and other line agencies for the support," Nora said.

In a separate interview on Friday, 2nd Lt. Paoula Andrea Ledesma, 23IB civil-military operations officer, said the group joined a training conducted by the Cooperative Development Authority to help them transition into a full cooperative.

"As part of our sustained operations, we will be joining the DSWD in the conduct of regular monitoring of the group's micro-enterprise project," Ledesma said.

The monitoring, she said, will ensure the continuity of the micro-enterprise project of the former UGMO members.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225971