33 former Isabela rebels receive livelihood grant

GRANT FOR EX-REBS -- Former rebels from Isabela through are awarded livelihood grants by the DSWD through assistant regional director for operations Lucia S. Alan, promotive services division chief Pasencia T. Ancheta and regional program coordinator Noel T. Domingo.

By Merlito G. Edale

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela – A total of 33 former members of the New People’s Army-Communist Party of the Philippines received livelihood settlement grant through the sustainable livelihood program of the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development worth P660,000.
    The awarding of financial assistance was held at the Capitol Amphitheater attended by DSWD - 2 assistant regional director for operations Lucia Alan and representatives from the Dept. of Interior and local Government, Philippine Information Agency, provincial government of Isabela and 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
    Alan said the DSWD and other government agencies converged to give benefits to former rebels and those still active in the underground movement who wish to surrender and return to the folds of law.
    Each former rebel received P20,000 under the SLP of DSWD and relief packs from the provincial government of Isabela.
    Of the 33 former rebels, 26 came from the municipality of San Mariano, three from Jones, three from Echague, and one from the City of Ilagan.
    Alan said the other six former rebels will be scheduled for pay-out to complete the 39 recipients of LSG in the province.
    Alyas Jimboy, one of the beneficiaries expressed his gratitude to the government for the livelihood assistance.
    Baby Jane Morales, another beneficiary, thanked the government upon receiving the financial aid. She then urged the remaining members of the New People’s Army to surrender to the government.
    Brig. Gen Laurence E Mina PA, commander of 5ID said the command will work hand other government agencies to facilitate benefits intended for former rebels through the E-CLIP.
    Meanwhile, provincial administrator lawyer Noel Manuel Lopez said the P20,000 financial assistance from DSWD and DILG was just the first of the many benefits the former rebels will be receiving from the government as other benefits are already in the pipe line.
    He said the provincial government through the BRO programs will give additional aid to the former rebels and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office’s livelihood program for former rebels are already prepared and soon will the distributed to them. -- PIA 2-Isabela