AID FOR EX-REBELS. Tubungan Mayor Roquito Tacsagon (3rd from right) and Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Philippines Army's 61st Infantry Battalion, lead the distribution of financial and livelihood aid to three former rebels on Feb. 9, 2020. The assistance to former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army members is in line with the town's social project dubbed "ROKIT" Reintegration Oplan Kabalaka for Deserving Individuals in Tubungan. (PNA photo courtesy of Army's 61st Infantry Battalion)
ILOILO CITY -- To show its support to the government’s fight against insurgency, Tubungan town in Iloilo province implements a reintegration program to benefit former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
The local government unit led by Mayor Roquito Tacsagon carries out Project ROKIT or Reintegration Oplan Kabalaka for Deserving Individuals in Tubungan that will provide jobs to former rebels.
On Feb. 9, Project ROKIT benefitted three former members of the CPP-NPA from Tubungan town.
Emelyn Estando, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Tubungan Head, said on Friday the former rebels received PHP30,000 financial and livelihood assistance each.
The assistance is comprised of PHP5,000 cash and a cow and carabao worth PHP25,000.
“They have surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) on Dec. 26, 2019,” she said.
Before the three, the project earlier benefitted two former rebels last Dec. 10.
Tacsagon, in a statement on Feb. 10, said the help extended by the town proves the commitment of the local government to the end local communist armed conflict.
The aid to former rebels will also prevent them to return to the armed movement, he said.
“Tubungan is sincere in improving the lives of the former rebels by giving them financial assistance and sustainable source of livelihood for them to support their families. With this program, we are hoping that more rebels will return to the fold of law and seek a peaceful and productive life,” Tacsagon said.
Aside from the local government’s assistance, the three are processing their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program which entitles them to PHP15,000 in immediate assistance and PHP50,000 in livelihood aid.
Tacsagon said they will also undergo skills training and other employment opportunities will be facilitated by the Tubungan Public Employment Service Office.
Tubungan town welcomes other local government units to replicate the Project ROKIT.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, said Tubungan is effective in addressing the root cause of insurgency.
He dubbed the Project ROKIT as one of the best practices of the town in implementing programs and services for the former rebels.
“With this project, I am renewing my call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA especially Tubunganons who are still waging the armed struggle to avail of this program. Your local government is sincere in helping you to start a new and productive life. Come down, go back to the folds of the government, and be the next beneficiaries of this project,” he said.
Aside from former rebels, Estando said the local government’s program extends to former Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
Currently, she said 25 former PDLs undergo the process of availing the program. (PNA)
