Another Batch of Former Rebels Receive Livelihood Assistance from Gov’t

Along with the Government’s quest to give a premium on the Former Rebels’ transition to mainstream society, another batch of 52 FRs of Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) received livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during a two-day payout on November 17-18 at 53rd IB Headquarters, Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

The DSWD thru its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) distributed the Provision of Livelihood Assistance amounting to a total of Php 1,040,000 to the 52 FRs, with Php 20,000 each FR.

The payout of the provision of livelihood assistance were facilitated by the team of DSWD-SLP Provincial Coordinators Ms. Therese Maravel Arcenal and Mr. Donato Savella, who were both optimistic that more [NPA terrorists] come down, return to the folds of law, and avail of various government programs such as this.

According to 53rd IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the said payout will be of great help to the FRs’ transition to the mainstream society. He also thanked the DSWD for their unwavering support to the Former Rebels.

The said FRs have already undergone the required psycho-social activity by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and have already availed the E-CLIP program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) amounting to a total of Php 65,000 each.

Aligned with the mandates of Executive Order No. 70 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, this program of the DSWD seeks to institutionalize the Whole of Nation approach. This involves National Government Agencies (NGAs) such as the DSWD in the government’s thrust to completely eradicate the 52-year-old Communist-NPA terrorism.