20K worth of Livelihood Assistance received by Former Rebels

New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province – The 66th Infantry (KABALIKAT) Battalion facilitated the turn-over of livelihood starter kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Compostela Valley Province that benefited 40 Former Rebels (FRs) on 28 November 2018.

A simple ceremonial awarding of Livelihood Assistance Package was held at Headquarters 66IB that was attended by LTC PALMER M PARUNGAO, Commander of 66IB, Mr. Patrick Kim Evangelio, the Acting Division Chief of DTI ComVal and Mr. Faustino E. Diabordo, Project Coordinator of DTI ComVal. The project of DTI is in connection to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government to capacitate and support the Former Rebels in going back to the mainstream society and become productive citizens. Each individual FRs was given a 20,000 worth of assistance and among of the identified livelihood projects proposed by individual FR is “sari-sari” store, Livestock Raising, Blacksmith and Hollow Block Making.

Mr. Evangelio on his opening remark said “This starter kit of livelihood seeding program is like a book. You have to read the book in order to understand its content and apply it in your life. When you receive this starter kit, you have to make an effort for you to be able to sustain it and make it grow.”

Meanwhile, a former member of Guerilla front 27, @Maya delivered a testimony. She tearfully thanked the 66IB and the programs of the government for it gave them a chance to have a new life. With the livelihood that had been given to them, it will greatly help them to come-up with income generation to sustain their everyday living.

LTC PARUNGAO stated, “As these programs materialize, we are more than thankful that the conjoined effort of the Battalion, the DTI, other government agencies did not come to waste. Rest assured that we (66IB) will help with the monitoring of the sustainment of these livelihood programs.”

“In this battalion is that we made it possible for former rebels and the soldiers to live together in harmony, building respect and nurturing appreciation from each other’s effort for the community to achieve peace and self-sustainment. I encourage the remaining members of NPA to go down, lay down your arms and surrender. The government has programs for you to start again and live a peaceful and happy life”. He added.

Source: 66th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army