AS PART of their Oplan Pagababago, the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley targets to put up a “Happy Village” - a half-way home intended for the New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderers.
In a press conference at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Davao last Friday, June 22, Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said a 2-hectare land will be donated by the private sector to the government of Compostela Valley where a Happy Village, similar to Davao Oriental’s Happy Home, will be constructed for the former rebels.
“We are happy because there are generous hearts that will donate lands in the city of 2-hectare facility so initially we can build halfway happy houses. But initially, we have already built together with our battalion commanders. We situate within the battalions’ area,” said Uy.
While still preparing for the 2-hectare Happy Village to be constructed in Mawab, Compostela Valley, Uy said halfway houses had already been built for former rebels within the peripheries of the 66th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 23rd in Monkayo while they had also visited the 71st IB during the third week of June as they also plan to build additional housing unit near. This had already been with talks with the municipal government of Mawab.
“Just like the happy home in Davao Oriental, the former rebels need to undergo psychosocial, health, spiritual, and other trainings that would last up to six months. The Happy Village will of course have transient homes, social hall for trainings, and one admin building,” said Uy.
According to Uy, the 2-hectare land to be donated is very strategic as it is very close to the Infantry Division and the 71st IB also.
“We have yet to proceed with the part of the plan where details such as number of bed capacities are discussed. For now, we are still finalizing the area when the land can be finally donated to the government. However, we are targeting to start construction of the Happy Village within the year,” said the provincial governor.