(BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda personally handed over financial assistance to two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to the 78th Infantry Battalion.
Each of the former NPA members received P50,000 from the Borongan City government through the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Mayor Agda, during the August 8 ceremony, urged the two to encourage their friends and colleagues who are still active in the communist group to surrender and take advantage of government opportunities, such as the city’s “Dukwag Agrikultura” program, which aims to help them transition to a peaceful, normal life.
The two former rebels expressed their gratitude for the assistance, acknowledging that it will significantly help meet their needs as they start anew.
Acting Commanding Officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, who was present during the turnover, thanked Mayor Agda and the CSWDO, led by Verina Amoyo, for their full support to the former rebels, noting that it greatly boosts their morale.
LtCol Bugaoan assured the local chief executive of their continued commitment to maintaining peace and progress in Borongan City.
Also present at the awarding ceremony was Col Rico Amaro, deputy brigade commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, who commended the city’s initiative to help former rebels reintegrate into society.
He also expressed interest in learning more about the city’s process for providing assistance to former rebels, with the hope that it could be replicated by other local government units.
In addition to the two former rebels, 11 others under the care of the 78th IB were also awarded financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Three of the former rebels received P10,000 each, while the remaining nine received P5,000 each.
The recipients expressed their gratitude for the financial aid, which they plan to use as additional capital for their livelihoods.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
