Ex-rebels get housing, livelihood grants

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Promises fulfilled.

Several former rebels will soon receive their housing units at the Kapatiran Peace and Development Community (KPDC) in Aklan province.

The groundbreaking for the 28 single-detached, two-bedroom housing unit was held March 10 at the KPDC area in Ibajay town.

Now on its phase 2, the project is constructed by the Philippine Army’s 53rd Engineering Brigade.

The construction of the 28 housing units shall complete the 44 units committed by the government to KAPATIRAN members.

Established in 2013, Kapatiran is formerly known as Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade/Tabara-Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB/TPG).

Founded in 1996, the RPA-ABB is the breakaway group of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Years later, the group signed a Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID) in July 2009. It stands as the landmark peace agreement forged between the Philippine government and the Kapatiran.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s event also saw the turnover of various projects for the group.

The Aklan provincial government has facilitated the construction of a coco milking facility. It is the local government’s contribution to Kapatiran members in Ibajay KPDC site.

Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity, led the inauguration of the Ibajay coco mill facility.

Also handed over was the Emergency Food Reserve (EFR) facility, a subcomponent of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program in conflict areas in Western Visayas of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The long-term livelihood of KAPATIRAN will also benefit the neighboring barangay and towns through the provision of nutritious ready-to-eat food that can be used to provide sustenance during times of calamity and disasters.

Galvez said granting the projects is the government’s way of showing that it is serious and committed in its journey towards peace to fulfill its obligations, as stipulated under all signed peace agreements.

Officers of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division attended the event, along with representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), National Irrigation Administration, and the local government of Ibajay and Aklan province.

Meanwhile, Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, has lauded the government’s incessant efforts, through OPAPp, to push forward for comprehensive Philippine peace process.

“Your Army in Western and Central Visayas is thankful to all government agencies and stakeholders in their continuous effort to ensure that the fruits of years of negotiations will result in the attainment of long and lasting peace,” Arevalo said.

Aside from housing projects and livelihood programs, it was gathered that 267 Kapatiran members from Western and Central Visayas completed a 45-day Community Defense Unit (CDU) training on Nov. 5,

2019 at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz. The CDUs are responsible in safeguarding the KPDC as they transform their lives to contribute for the peace and development and nation building in their respective communities.