Soldiers, ex-rebels get aid
by Teresa D. Ellera
GENERAL Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, conducted Christmas visits to the Charlie Company of 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), one of the brigade’s frontline unit that was also devastated by Typhoon Odette.
Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Guzman, commander of the 94th IB, accompanied him during his visit to the unit located at Barangay Mahalang in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on December 25.
Pasaporte distributed sacks of rice, canned goods and noodles to the personnel of the 94th IB who were also affected by the typhoon.
Meanwhile, some 73 former rebels from various cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental also received livelihood settlement grants under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas amounting to P1.640 million.
The awarding of financial assistance was held at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City on Thursday, December 23.
Pasaporte, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Director Colonel Romy Palgue, Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) Focal Person Jenie Macalipsay and DSWD Provincial Coordinator Emily Bacaocao led the activity.
Macalipsay said each former rebel received P20,000 pesos under the SLP including relief packs containing 10 kilos of rice and assorted canned goods from the provincial government.
Alias Edgar, one of the recipients, thanked the government for the assistance they’ve received.
He said the livelihood grant would greatly help his family start anew as he plans to use the money to start a small piggery business.
For his part, Pasaporte extended his gratitude to the various government agencies, especially the DSWD, as one of the main and leading agencies in providing grants for the surrenderers to help them live a normal life.
He also called on the remaining rebels to return to the government fold so they could also avail of the socio-economic and livelihood assistance being offered by the government.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, commanding officer of 79th IB, said the SLP is part of the other benefits included in the E-Clip that aims to provide capital for the chosen small businesses of former rebels.
The businesses are seen as later generating the income needed to sustain the basic needs of the rebel returnees.
“The former rebels are now in a better position to generate a sustainable source of livelihood that would enable them to be integrated back into the society and be productive citizens and agents of peace in their respective communities,” Javines said.
“We will work hand in hand with other government agencies to help facilitate the benefits intended for them. Together, let us continue to build progressive and resilient communities that are inhospitable to any threat group that undermines our efforts for nation building,” he added.*
