Eight former rebels (FR) from Laguna benefitted livelihood packages from the Department of Labor and Employment Laguna (DOLE) Laguna during a simple hand-over of benefits ceremony held at Hqs, 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, Brgy West Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna, on March 15, 2022.DOLE Laguna Provincial Director Guido R. Recio led the hand-over of livelihood grants amounting to PhP30,000.00 to each FR together with Ms. Maricar A. Palacol, focal person of the Laguna Peace and Order Council representing the Provincial Government of Laguna, and Brigadier General Cerilo C Balaoro Jr, Commander, 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade.
The livelihood grants are additional benefits over and above from what they have already received thru the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). This intervention was a result of the consultative meeting of the Laguna Provincial Task Force ELCAC (PTF-ELCAC) specifically the PRLEC cluster which intends to improve the former rebels’ lives by providing them additional sustainable sources of income.
Alyas Aloma, one of the recipients, expressed her deep gratitude along with the other FRs to the government for the additional assistance they received. She assured the government officials present of their cooperation in all their peace and development efforts especially in encouraging their former comrades to return to the folds of the law.
On behalf of the Provincial Government of Laguna, Ms. Maricar A. Palacol, the focal person of the Provincial Peace and Order Council commended the member agencies of Provincial Task Force ELCAC for making the activity meaningful and successful.
“The assistance provided to former rebels exemplifies the collaboration among the provincial government unit and different line government agencies with the aim of establishing a peaceful environment conducive to economic development”.
BGen Cerilo C Balaoro Jr., Commander, 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade lauded the DOLE Laguna and the Provincial Government of Laguna for the untiring commitment in rebuilding the lives of the former rebels. “The assistance given by the government is not just for them but also for their families and the community itself. In partnership with the government agencies, we will continue to help the FRs start a decent and peaceful life with their families:”
.He also urged the former rebels to be the mouthpiece of this initiative in order to convince the remaining NPA members to return to the folds of the law and share renewed lives with their families instead of pursuing a path to violence.
Dir. Guido R Recio, DOLE Laguna Provincial Director who handed over the livelihood assistance said that the DOLE and other government agencies remain relentless in their efforts in pursuit of a single aspiration in helping these former rebels to return to their normal lives and eventually live peaceful and productive lives.
He assured that their agency will continue to help not only former rebels but also other sectors who need their assistance.Along this line, the 202nd Brigade continuously engages other government agencies and non-government organizations to provide the necessary assistance to former rebels and reoriented organizations of the cleared CTG-affected barangays and mass organizations.
