LIEUTENANT General Alberto Macairog, commanding general of the Philippine Army (CGPA), conducted a site inspection at the first batch of housing units intended for former rebels in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City.
“Napaka-importante nitong project na ito especially that it will help us in our problem in insurgency. Matutulungan natin ‘yong kababayan natin na sumama sa NPA (former NPA) and now they returned to us sa society natin, bumalik sa gobyerno,” Macairog said in a press conference Friday, February 1.
The program is also seen to address one of the root causes of the insurgency problem, the lack of housing opportunity.
The housing project, spearheaded by the National Housing Authority, was formerly earmarked for the military and police personnel but due to the need to allocate housing units for former rebels under Administrative Order No. 10 dated April 3, 2018, Escalada recommended for the re-allocation of the housing units which the AFP-PNP Housing Boards waived in favor of the former rebels.
He also believes that the housing units will give the Philippine Army’s anti-insurgency campaign a boost.
“Nakikita natin ang sinsiridad ng gobyerno, nakita natin ang sinsiridad ng Armed Forces. Binigay nila ang kanilang housing rights at pinaubaya sa ating former rebels. Napakalaki at napakagandang proyekto ito para ating sa kampanya para magkaroon tayo ng kapayapaan at development sa lugar,” Macairog added.
For his part, NHA General Manager Marcelino P. Escalada Jr. said the construction of housing projects for former rebels are also being explored in the areas of Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro to accommodate more rebels who surrender.
“We want to consolidate all of them together and bring new life and new beginning for the former rebels,” Escalada said.
The three-hectare housing projec will be able to house 375 families. The project was developed by the Stone Rise Home Realty & Development Corporation. However, 300 will be allocated for the former rebels while the 75 units will be for the men in uniform.
Some of the houses are ready for occupancy. This month, they will turn over the first 50 housing units together with President Rodrigo Duterte.