Closure MOA with gov’t benefiting former CPLAs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The economic component of the closure agreement between the government and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) is bearing favorable results.

Former CPLA members who qualified as Bantay Gubat under the employ of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earn salaries  during  a six month employment which is renewable.

They gained additional and applicable skills that are office-based and regard themselves as partner of DENR in forest protection.

From the results of the program review done by a third party, the  Bantay Gubat has contributed significant intelligence for operations on forest protection. They perform their functions with less supervision and have changed their perception of their capacities showing higher self-regard.

There are 148 former rebels working at present as Bantay Gubat.

On the other hand, former CPLA members integrated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines have now permanent source of income and opportunity for trainings and capacity building, and opportunity for promotion to a higher rank.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process encourages the former rebel group to organize and be partners of government.

Livelihood assistance is also packaged for said organizations.

The Government of the Philippines and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-CPLA signed in 2012 a memorandum of agreement dubbed “closure agreement” to transform the group into a socio-economic organization and hasten the attainment of peace and development in the Cordillera Region. Its component include final disposition of arms and forces, projects for identified communities and livelihood and employment support.