14 ex-rebels get P280-K livelihood aid from DSWD

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released P280,000 in livelihood settlement grants to 14 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental early this week.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, accompanied by Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Head Merle Garcia, and Narciso Abad lll, focal person of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) turned over the cash assistance in a ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol here on Dec. 19.

Each former rebel from the municipality of Isabela and the cities of Sagay and Escalante received P20,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DSWD.

Food packs from the provincial government were also distributed.

Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) extended his gratitude to the DSWD.

“The former NPA rebels are now in a better position to generate a sustainable source of livelihood that would aid 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, he added.