12 Ex-NPA Received P20,000.00 worth of Livelihood Cash Assistance from DSWD

PAQUIBATO DISTRICT, Davao City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office Region XI together with 27th Infantry Battalion and 1003rd Infantry Brigade handed-over P20,000.00 worth of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Assistance to 12 former rebels held at Barangay Paquibato Proper, Paquibato District, Davao City on October 16, 2020.

The said SLP assistance is over and above the ECLIP benefits entitled for NPA rebels who voluntarily surrendered to the government.

The program is one of the interventions offered by the DSWD under Executive Order 70 (EO) to end local communist armed conflict. It is an added benefit which aims to ensure that FR will be able to sustain their livelihood program and provide their respective families a decent life.

The awarding of livelihood settlement grant was given by the DSWD XI EO70 Focal Person Mr Kerwin Gabasa, Mr. Eric Diaz, Project Officer II DSWD, and Mrs Epifania Sagayno, Head Kalinaw Village of CSSDO and witnessed by LTC VICTORINO M SEÑO, Commander of 27th Infantry Battalion, COL LUCITO C CARIN, Deputy Brigade Commander of 1003rd Brigade and the local officials of Barangay Paquibato Proper headed by Honorable Miljoseph Escobidal, the Barangay Chairman.

“Ang nakita naku sa gobeyerno grabe ang tabang sukad sa pag surrender nato gikan sa E-CLIP, sa pabahay og sa pang tindahan nato, so sa atoa angayan gyod nato tabangan ang atong gobyerno para mo lambo ang atong komunidad” Mr Marjun Delima said, one of the beneficiaries.

In return, Mr Gabasa encouraged the former rebels to manage well their respective livelihood and gradually increase their income. Meanwhile, COL LUCITO CARIN (MNSA) PA, the Deputy Brigade Commander of 1003rd Infantry Brigade also emphasized the government’s commitment to accept and support NPA rebels who would want to surrender and live a peaceful life.

The SLP program of DSWD has widened its coverage and impressively felt by the community particularly in Paquibato District, Davao City.

It can be recalled that last September 30 and October 12, two (2) SLP Associations from Brgy Mapula and Brgy Pañalum both of Paquibato District also received P300,000.00 worth of livelihood project under the same program of DSWD in support to ending local communist armed conflict.

The said starting capital is not only a huge support for former UGMO members and former rebels to start a new life but also a clear manifestation of the government’s sincerity and continued efforts to deliver programs and services in conflict affected areas and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 27th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA