(The Provincial Government of Northern Samar.
TACLOBAN CITY — Thirty-three former members of an armed group in Northern Samar have completed a four-month government reintegration program designed to help them return to their families and establish peaceful livelihoods.
The former rebels graduated from Balay Darangpan “Batch 11” during a completion ceremony on Sept. 16 at the University of Eastern Philippines Gymnatorium.
The program, which began on May 7, provided the participants with livelihood support, financial assistance, food packages and other interventions intended to help them transition to civilian life.
Each beneficiary received P20,000 in livelihood assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, P5,000 through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, and P40,000 under Northern Samar’s Local Social Integration Program.
The LSIP assistance consisted of P10,000 in immediate cash assistance and P30,000 for livelihood support.
This brought the total cash and livelihood assistance received by each participant to P65,000, aside from food packages provided by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.
Northern Samar Gov. Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan attended the ceremony, along with representatives of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government, DSWD, 803rd Infantry Brigade, Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, OPAPRU Region 8 and Sinag ng Hilaga.
Ongchuan reiterated the provincial government’s support for former rebels as they rebuild their lives, secure livelihoods and reunite with their families.
He also encouraged the graduates to work with the government in promoting peace and development in their communities.
803rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Carmelito Pangatungan congratulated the graduates, describing their completion of the program as a new beginning for each participant.
“Today, we are not just celebrating your graduation, but the rebuilding of trust, the return of hope, and the beginning of a brighter future,” Pangatungan said.
He also called on remaining active members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), as described by the military, to leave the armed struggle and avail themselves of government reintegration programs.
The graduates also signed a Wall of Commitment as a symbol of their pledge to support peace and development in their respective communities.
The completion of Batch 11 brings together assistance from national and provincial government agencies and partner organizations to support former rebels in their transition to civilian life and help them establish sustainable sources of income.
(EUGENE M. ENANO)
