ILOILO – The municipal government of Tubungan has launched a reintegration program that assists former rebels to start a new and normal life.
Project ROKIT (Reintegration Oplan Kabalaka for deserving Individuals in Tubungan) provides livelihood and job opportunities to rebel returnees.
These opportunities include formal employment both local and abroad through skills training, livelihood projects and values formation.
“The municipal government is sincere in improving the lives of former rebels by giving them financial assistance and sustainable source of livelihood for them to support their families. With this program, we are hoping that more rebels will return to the fold of law and seek a peaceful and productive life,” said Mayor Roquito Tacsagon.
On Feb. 9 three former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) who surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) on Dec. 26, 2019 received P30,000 financial and livelihood assistance from the local government of Tubungan, Iloilo through Project ROKIT.
The said financial and livelihood assistance that included P5,000 cash and P25,000 worth of livestock (carabao and cattle) were received by the former rebels on top of the benefits they can avail themselves of through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Aside from these assistance, they will also undergo skills training and other employment opportunities that will be facilitated by the Tubungan Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara of the 61IB lauded the local government of Tubungan in addressing the root causes of insurgency. He said this will help the concerted efforts of all government agencies in ending local communist armed conflict.
“Project ROKIT can be considered as one of the best practices of the town in terms of implementing the programs and services for former rebels. With this project, I am renewing my call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA especially Tubunganons who are still waging the armed struggle to avail themselves of this program. Your local government is sincere in helping you start new and productive lives. Come down, go back to the folds of the government, and be the next beneficiaries of this project,” said Batara./PN
