SAN JOSE, Antique – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) granted livelihood projects to 19 former rebels in compliance to Executive Order 70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
Western Visayas Regional Task Force ELCAC (RTF-ELCAC) spokesperson and chairman of the Legal Cooperation Cluster Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, during the ceremony held recently in Sebaste, Antique, assured them that the government will continue to find ways so they could be supported as they returned to the folds of the law.
He likewise commended the various government agencies and the local officials in Antique led by Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Vice Gov. Edgar Denosta, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, the municipal mayors, and other local officials for continuously looking for ways to provide the needs of these former rebels so they could live a normal life in their communities.
Provincial Task Force ELCAC lead convenor Margie Gadian – who represented the governor during the ceremony – appealed to these former rebels to do their role in carrying out their projects properly so it could increase their income and sustain them as they start their new life.
Data obtained from the DSWD 6 team led by Schedar Novilla disclosed that the projects granted to these former rebels cost P20,000 each beneficiary which cover Buy and Sell of Palay, Cattle/Carabao/Hog and Goat raising, a small fishing project, and sari-sari store with rice retailing.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) supervising specialist Julie Baraquia explained the training programs of TESDA which they could avail to enhance their skills and knowledge as they work on for their livelihood projects.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Larry Petinglay likewise conducted an orientation on the Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Parental Abilities Training (ERPAT).PIA-Antique
