Rules set on Mt Prov rebel fund

By Juliet B. Saley

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here passed a resolution ratifying Executive Order No. 53,s. 2011 entitled “ Guidelines for the use of the livelihood for rebel returnees fund, 2011 budget."

The EO, issued by Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen, included an amount in this year’s budget for livelihood of rebel returnees.

It also provides the rebel returnees fund may be used or disbursed to provide wages or honorarium to rebel returnees to perform or render community or civic works like forest guard, reforestation worker, road maintenance man, community worker and others.

Not all rebel returnees are qualified for the program, however.

The EO states rebel returnees with pending cases in courts involving crimes against chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping for ransom, use and trafficking of illegal drugs and other crimes for personal ends, and violations of international law, are not qualified.

The program does not also include rebel returnees who refuse to send their children to school who are of school age; those who fail to live within the norms of the community; and those who continue their relation/contact with the underground movement such as the New People’s Army or the Cordillera People Democratic Front.

This program is part of the mandate of the local government unit to provide services which include program and projects on rebel returnees as provided in Section 17, 3, V of the Local government Code.