THREE newly-formed organizations of former communist rebels in Compostela Valley are now officially registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) as people’s organizations.
Lt. Colonel Esteveyn Ducusin, Philippine Army's 71st Infantry Battalion commander, said the former rebels were organized to form groups of community development volunteers (CDVs) in barangays Gubatan, Calabcab, and Sangab, all in Maco town.
The new organizations are Barangay Gubatan Livelihood for Peace Association (BGLPA), Calabcab Motor Drivers Association (Camoda), and Sangab Energetic Farmers Association (Sefa).
Majority of the 200 members of the three associations are former supporters of the New People's Army (NPA) Underground Movement (UGMO), Ducusin said in a statement.
Ducusin said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) aims to partner with stakeholders in bringing the government closer to the people and eliminating NPA's to pave the way for the entry of investors and infrastructure development projects.
Ducusin said the associations will engage in agricultural and veterinarian trading, selling of motor spare parts, car wash and vulcanizing as their livelihood projects.
These will be awarded upon the completion and approval of the livelihood proposals to be facilitated by the battalion and Masicap Foundation, Ducusin said.