Former rebels undergo livelihood skills training at 19IB

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
September 8, 2012

KANANGA, Leyte  –  A three-day livelihood skills training was conducted by the Leyte Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to seventeen (17) former rebels at Headquarters 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion from September 3-5, 2012.

For three days in 19IB, the former rebels were lectured about agriculture, particularly animal husbandry and farming methods. Values development was also highlighted during the activity.

Mrs. Gwyndalynn Malate, focal person for the Former Rebel Program (FRP) said that the training was a pre-requisite before the former rebels can receive the livelihood financial assistance amounting to P50,000 each from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

“The Provincial Government is so concerned about the needs of former rebels. In fact, Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla is pushing the implementation of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) in order to uplift their lives,” Malate stressed in an interview.

On August 23 this year, Provincial Government of Leyte released the Basic Immediate Assistance (BIA) amounting to P10,000 to each former rebel.

Malate further disclosed that they will be forwarding the pertinent documents of the beneficiaries to OPAPP for immediate release of funds. Exact date on the release of aforesaid funds cannot be determined as of this time.

In his message during the closing ceremony of the three-day training, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Cabansay, Executive Officer of 19IB hoped that the efforts of government would encourage the remnants of NPA rebels in Leyte to surrender and return to the main stream of the society.