CLOSE to 100 former rebels in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are set to benefit from the different programs of the government.
With this development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the region (DSWD-CAR) sees more rebels return to the fold of the law, according to Officer-In-Charge Regional Director Leo Quintilla.
Quintilla said their office has been receiving feelers from relatives and rebels who wish to surrender.
“DSWD-CAR identified 97 individuals who were former rebels that will be receiving livelihood assistance in the form of seed money for farming, vegetable growing, livestock raising, among others,” Quintilla said.
The DSWD official added rebel returnees are given two choices from the regular program of the agency, particularly, sustainable livelihood program.
“We also have allocation under PAyapa at MAsaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) launched in 2011 as a priority program of the government that supports the peace negotiation track and contributes to the goal of attaining just and lasting peace. There are other specific programs of DSWD that they can benefit,” Quintilla said.
Other programs for former rebels are their inclusion in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services.
Quintilla said aside from those returning to society, the barangay where they will be returning to will also be assisted.
“We should not only prepare those returning to society but also their barangays, considering that they (rebel returnees) have been away from their barangays for a long time, and the possibility of conflict may occur. We also have to give interventions to the communities where they will be returning,” Quintilla added.