TWENTY-FIVE former rebels have received livelihood starter kits from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB).
The livelihood starter kits were distributed to the former rebels, known as “Friends Rescued,” last week at the Good Life Village in Poblacion, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.
Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, 53IB commander, said the livelihood starter kits will be used for the former rebels’ venture in business and entrepreneurship.
Herrera said the former rebels also participated in the information drive on DOLE programs and services of the starter kits.
The activity was conducted under the umbrella of Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict, which was conceptualized to finally address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to help the former rebels in their transition to mainstream society.
In attendance during the distribution of the livelihood starter kits to the former rebels were officials of DOLE headed by Lawyer Roy Buenafe, the regional director of the agency. (SunStar Zamboanga)