CASH AID. Sambayanan Association president Ka Edgar (5th from left) receives from Mayor Ariel de Jesus of San Luis, Aurora (5th from right) the PHP300,000 check as livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday (Nov. 13, 2023). The amount will be used by the Sambayanan Association whose members are composed of former rebels, for their piggery business that could help them start their new lives. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 91IB)
BALER, Aurora – At least 20 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in San Luis town, this province on Monday received cash assistance that could help them start new lives.
Lt. Col. Julito Recto Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB), said in an interview on Tuesday the former rebels, who are members of the people’s organization- Sambayanan Association, received some PHP300,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Recto said the cash assistance will be used for the piggery business of the association.
“Our government is sincere in changing the lives of our former rebels. It is now in their hands to use it to become more productive. Even though it is a small amount, we know that it can help. We continuously tap the different concerned government agencies to help them get more livelihood assistance,” he said.
San Luis Mayor Ariel de Jesus thanked the DSWD, the 91IB, and other concerned agencies for continuously helping the former rebels to rebuild their lives.
“We do not need to fight with others but we could work hand in hand for the betterment of the people. Rest assured that the local government unit of San Luis will allot livelihood assistance yearly to former rebels,” de Jesus said.
Sambayanan Association president Ka Edgar said the livelihood aid is a big help for their reintegration into mainstream society.
“We thanked everyone in the government for giving us the assistance. This will greatly help us in starting a source of livelihood,” he said. (PNA)
