BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Eight former rebels in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, are availing of the P1 million DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program.
This was facilitated by the Task Force-Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, newly-installed commanding officer of the 79th Infantry Battalion, said yesterday.
Javines said the eight former rebels, accompanied by their barangay officials, were gathered on June 4 for a consultation dialog with DOLE and the Center for Collaborative Solutions of Escalante City. This was where the completion and submission of documentary requirements needed to fast-track the delivery of livelihood projects and employment opportunities, through DILEEP, was done.
Javines added that the former rebels took their oath of allegiance to the government, before they were issued certificates by TF-ELCAC to complete the documentary requirements.
Javines said that Mary Agnes Capigon, DOLE Negros Occidental Field Office head, told the DILEEP beneficiaries that they will receive P1 million worth of goods for their consumer store, as a form of livelihood assistance to them.
Cabigon said that the eight former rebels were chosen as the first DILEEP beneficiaries in northern Negros. She expressed her gratitude to the 79IB, TF-ELCAC Escalante City, and the CCS for their support and assistance to the beneficiaries.
Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap said the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program and DILEEP will greatly help his constituents. Javines also expressed his appreciation to the DOLE provincial office for extending the DILEEP benefit to the formerly insurgency-affected communities in Escalante City.*
