DSWD grants livelihood projects to former rebels

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

 

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 12 – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) granted livelihood projects to 19 former rebels in compliance to Executive Order 70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

Western Visayas Regional Task Force ELCAC (RTF-ELCAC) Spokesperson and Chair of the Legal Cooperation Cluster Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, during the ceremony held recently in Sebaste, Antique, assured them that the government will continue to find ways so they could be supported as they returned to the folds of the law.

Gonzales likewise commended the various government agencies and the local officials in Antique led by Governor Rhodora Cadiao, Vice Governor Edgar Denosta, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, the municipal mayors, and other local officials for continuously looking for ways to provide the needs of these former rebels so they could live a normal life in their communities.

Provincial Task Force ELCAC Lead Convenor Margie L. Gadian, who represented the governor during the ceremony, appealed to these FRs to also do their role in carrying out their projects properly so it could increase their income and sustain them as they start their new life.

Data obtained from the DSWD 6 team led by Schedar Novilla disclosed that the projects granted to these FRs cost P20,000 each beneficiary which cover Buy and Sell of Palay, Cattle/Carabao/Hog and Goat raising, a small fishing project and Sari-sari Store with Rice Retailing.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Supervising TESD Specialist Julie A. Baraquia explained the training programs of TESDA which they could avail to enhance their skills and knowledge as they work on for their livelihood projects.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Larry Petinglay likewise conducted an orientation on the Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Parental Abilities Training (ERPAT).

He emphasized to the FRs, of which 18 are male, that their responsibility as fathers is equally important as that of the mother in the family, thus, there is a need for them to also perform reproductive roles such as child caring and rearing and feel the fulfillment of being part of their kid’s growing up years.

The full version of ERPAT Training will be conducted to the FRs to help them appreciate the joy of parenting in a gender-sensitive household environment. (PIA)