TACLOBAN CITY — Thirty-three participants have completed Northern Samar’s Balay Darangpan Peace builders Reintegration Program, receiving livelihood and financial assistance as they return to their communities and begin rebuilding their lives.
The 11th batch completed three months of reintegration activities, bringing to 287 the total number of peace builders who have finished the program since it was established in 2019.
The completion ceremony was held at the University of Eastern Philippines, where government officials and partner agencies recognized the Batch 11 completers.
As part of the reintegration assistance, each completer received P5,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), for a total of P165,000.
Under the Provincial Government’s Local Social Integration Program (LSIP), each completer also received P10,000 in immediate assistance and P30,000 in livelihood assistance, bringing the total LSIP cash assistance to P1.32 million.
The completers also received food packages, while the program included firearms remuneration and facilitator incentives.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) distributed additional food packages containing food items and other materials to the participants.
Further livelihood assistance through other government programs, including the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), is expected to be extended to the completers in the coming months.
Previously, 37 peace builders from Batches 9 and 10 received P20,000 each through the SLP, for a total of P740,000 in assistance.
One Batch 11 completer said the lessons and skills gained from the program would be brought back to their respective communities.
“Ang lahat ng aming natutunan sa Balay Darangpan ay hindi namin iiwan dito, dadalhin po namin ang mga aral, karanasan, at pagbabago sa aming pagbabalik sa aming komunidad,” the completer said.
“Sa aming pag-uwi, sisikapin naming ipagpatuloy ang panibagong buhay—isang buhay na may pagbabago, pag-asa, responsabilidad, at kapayapaan,” he added.
Northern Samar Gov. Harris Christopher Ongchuan said the provincial government would continue providing livelihood opportunities, training and other assistance to help peace builders rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities.
“Para sa akin, ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan ay kapag may kabuhayan, may pagkakataon, may tiwala sa pamahalaan, at may lugar ang bawat Nortehanon sa pag-unlad ng ating lalawigan,” Ongchuan said.
He urged the completers to apply what they learned in their communities, maximize available opportunities and show that a new life anchored on peace is possible.
The Balay Darangpan reintegration program is part of Northern Samar’s efforts to promote peace, livelihood opportunities and stronger family and community ties.
The completion ceremony was attended by Imelda Bonifacio of OPAPRU Eastern Visayas; 803rd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Carmelito Pangatungan; Northern Samar Police Provincial Office Director Col. George Buyacao Jr.; and DILG Provincial Director Geraldine Maquelabit, among others.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
