Cagayan Valley NPAs to get gov’t assistance

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Dept. of Trade and Industry regional director Leah Pulido Ocampo the DTI will help rebel returnees under an army battalion’s care by providing assistance that will enable them to establish sustainable livelihood ventures.

Ocampo told Lt. Col. Gladiuz Calilan, commander of the 95th Salaknib Infantry Battalion, during a recent meeting at the DTI regional office about this saying the assistance to rebel returnees under the battalion’s care would be done under DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa pagBangon at Ginhawa (PBG) program.

“We can also look into establishing a shared service facility for them and give entrepreneurial trainings to them to ensure sustainability of  livelihood projects,” Ocampo said.

She said the DTI-Isabela provincial office will be working closely with the 95th Infantry Battalion on programs and projects urging them to visit other regional line agencies to help rebel returnees integrate into society.

The 95th Salaknib Infantry Battalion, based in San Mariano, Isabela, is known to have an increasing number of New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees.

Calilan said at least 54 former rebels, with their families, are presently staying in the battalion’s headquarters.

The Battalion commander added they helped these families feel at home by establishing a small village composed of two housing facilities with a kitchen and a bathroom, a backyard garden that the former rebels personally cultivate and a pool table that serves as a recreational facility.

"village called The Happy Ville is a symbol of hope and happiness for the former rebels as they gradually move towards the mainstream of society," Calilan said. PIA/DTI Region 2