Soldiers, Police waive housing for Former Rebels

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Soldiers and Police through the AFP/PNP Housing Boards waived their rights over a Housing Project in Cuambugan, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte, formerly earmarked for the AFP and PNP personnel in favor of the Former Rebels (FR).

The action is part of the intervention under the Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

It can be recalled that the housing project for FRs is one of President Rodrigo R. Duterte' s promises to them during the gathering of FRs at Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City on December 21, 2017, which was institutionalized with the signing of the Administrative Order #10 on April 3, 2018.

The housing project which is called "Biyaya ng Pagbabago Freedom Residences" is situated in a three-hectare lot that accommodates 375 units.

Initially, about 50 of the 375 housing units ready for handover was inspected by the National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. on February 1, 2019, together with MGen. Felimon T. Santor Jr., Commander Eastern Mindanao Command, Lt.Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, Commanding General, Philippine Army, MGen Jose Faustino Jr., Commander of 10th Infantry Division and Brigade Commanders to whom the beneficiaries surrendered.

Aside from the housing units, the project will also accommodate a training court of TESDA to provide skills development to the beneficiaries who will eventually be employed in completing the other units and building more units in the said housing project and other housing projects of NHA in Tagum City.

Meanwhile, MGen Santos Jr. emphasized the importance of post-surrender intervention in mainstreaming the FRs.

"Critical to the FRs is the post-surrender intervention and social preparation, which allows them to be integrated into mainstream society as a productive and law-abiding citizen. It is for this reason that we have directed our units to work closely with other government agencies and stakeholders for them to come up for a comprehensive program for the FRs aside from E-CLIP," he said.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP