Former rebels showcase Arm-to-Farm program to Secretary Andanar

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – Lumadnong Organisasyong Dalangpanan (LINONDIGAN), a former rebels (FRs) organization showcased their Arm-to Farm program to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security Region 10 (CORDS X) Secretary Martin Andanar during his visit in the Halfway House located at Magbuliga Development Complex, Impasugong, Bukidnon on October 23, 2020.

The FRs exhibited their four-hectare farm program with the theme, “Changing Mindsets, Enriching Lives: Transforming Red Revolution to Green Revolution”, where three (3) hectares were planted with corn seeds, .7 hectare with Adlai crops, and .3 hectare with sweet potatoes.

Sec. Andanar witnessed that the said program is the result of collaborative efforts of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Impasugong, Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Army, and other agencies that changed the mindset of FRs from being combatant to becoming a peaceful and productive individual who can contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

Sec. Martin Andanar together with Mr. Franklin Gumapon, Regional Director of Philippine Information Agency; Ms Tarhata S. Mapandi, Regional Director, TESDA Region 10; BGen. Ferdinand T. Barandon, Commander of 403rd Brigade, Col Jose Arn M. Real, Deputy Commander of 403rd Brigade, Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr., Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB); and Hon. Maria Norly D. Pepito, Municipal Vice-Mayor of Impasugong observed the enormous benefits of the arm-to-farm program to the former rebels.

“Garbo namo nga gipakita kang Sec. Andanar ang amoang mga tanom sa arm-to-farm. Mapasalamaton ako sa gobyerno kay pinaagi sa kining programa, nabansay ug nasangkapan kami og kahanas nga nagpabag-o sa among kinabuhi,” alias Drian proudly said.

(We are proud to present to Sec. Andanar our crops in the arm-to-farm program. I am thankful to the government because through this program we were trained and it changed our lives.)

Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr., Commanding Officer of 8IB said, “Isa kini nga programa nga gipadangat sa gobyerno aron matudluan ang mga kanhing rebelde nga makig-indigay ug mabungahong indibidwal bag-o sila mahi-usa usab sa katilingban.”

(This program is one of the interventions of the government to train former rebels to be competitive and productive individuals before reintegrating them into the mainstream society).

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 8th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA