Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. signs the MOA to renew the livelihood program of former rebels for CY 2020.
Bontoc – The provincial government here thru its livelihood program continues to aid 27 former rebels.
Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the former rebels together with their respective Barangay Captain on January 30, 2019 to extend the program this CY 2020.
Under the MOA, each recipient will receive a monthly honorarium of P5,500 based on the actual working days in exchange of community services. They would either work as a forest guard, reforestation worker, road maintenance man, community worker and other jobs as maybe agreed upon and under the direct supervision of their Barangay Captain. The program is lodged under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
Lacwasan said that the livelihood program for former rebels is now on its 4th year of implementation under his administration and on its 9th year since its conception in 2011.
“Every year, we allocate a budget for this program because we are aware of its importance. The provincial government supports your integration into the mainstream of the society,” Lacwasan said.
The governor urged the former rebels to be sincere in performing their functions and follow directives from their respective Barangay Captain who are their immediate supervisors.
The recipients were also reminded that the program is dependent on the appropriation of the provincial government. They were encouraged to consider the program as a stepping stone while considering to look for a greener pasteur.
In relation to this, the provincial government has tapped the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to offer special skills training to former rebels for them to have a bigger chance of improving their livelihood.
TESDA-Mountain Province Provincial Director Eric O. Ueda welcomed the suggestions of the former rebels to be trained on basic carpentry and welding.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and TESDA will provide the venue and schedule for the training next month.
Meanwhile, Board Member Henry D. Bastian, Jr., Sangguniang Panlalawigan Chair on Human Rights, Civil Defense and Peace and Order assured his support to the continuous implementation of the livelihood program. For their part, the former rebels were one in expressing their gratitude to the provincial government for making sure that they are taken care of.
