TACLOBAN CITY — A delegation from the Department of National Defense (DND) visited Northern Samar on March 4 to evaluate the province’s peace-building initiatives and reintegration programs for former rebels.
The team, led by Marcelo Valdez Jr., inspected the Balay Darangpan Reintegration Center, a halfway house established by the provincial government to help former members of insurgent groups transition back to civilian life.
Located in the provincial capital of Catarman, the facility serves as a temporary shelter where former rebels undergo counseling, livelihood preparation, and community reintegration activities.
During the visit, the delegation also held a dialogue with beneficiaries currently undergoing the program.
Valdez commended the provincial government for its sustained commitment to peace initiatives, noting that Northern Samar’s recognition as the 2025 Best Implementer of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) reflects its strong support for former rebels seeking to return to mainstream society.
He also noted that the Balay Darangpan facility has remained functional and responsive to the needs of its residents since it was established.
Currently, the center houses the 10th batch of peacebuilders, who are undergoing a three-month reintegration program consisting of several modules aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families and communities. The participants are expected to graduate later this month.
The Balay Darangpan program is implemented through the Provincial E-CLIP Committee in partnership with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Task Force Balik-Loob member agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations.
Following the facility visit, the DND delegation proceeded to the provincial capitol where they met with members of the provincial task force to discuss updates on the peace and security situation in Northern Samar.
Officials presented developments related to people’s organizations, the implementation of the E-CLIP, and other initiatives aimed at sustaining peace and reintegration efforts in the province.
The meeting also allowed local officials to seek guidance from national government representatives on how to further strengthen programs supporting former rebels as they return to normal life.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
