MANILA, Philippines – Inasistihan ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ang nasa 10,000 dating miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya sa proseso ng pagbabalik ng mga ito sa lipunan.
Sa pahayag nitong weekend, sinabi ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) na kabilang sa mga tulong na ibinigay ay panghanapbuhay at employment programs.
“Our department is committed to advancing the welfare of our fellow workers who are former rebels,” ani DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez.
Aniya, sisiguruhin ng DOLE na makapagbigay ng oportunidad sa mga dating rebelde upang magkaroon ang mga ito ng sapat na pagkukuhanan ng kita.
Inihayag ni Benavidez ang kahalagahan ng livelihood program sa pagtulong sa mga indibidwal na magkaroon ng permanent income sa pamamagitan ng entrepreneurship.
“Through the ‘Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa ating mga Disadvantage Workers’ (TUPAD) program, DOLE has allocated resources to support the employment of former rebels, demonstrating a commitment to fostering economic stability and social inclusion within this group. This initiative has played a crucial role in offering emergency employment opportunities and livelihood projects to facilitate their seamless reintegration,” sinabi ni Benavidez.
Nasa mahigit 6,100 dating rebelde na rin ang nakinabang sa livelihood assistance mula sa Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula at Davao Region.
“In Caraga, we have assisted over a thousand individuals, while in Regions 9 and 11, we have supported close to 900 beneficiaries,” dagdag ni Benavidez.
“Through our TUPAD program, we have provided emergency employment to almost 10,000 former rebels. Despite the substantial investment required, DOLE remains unwavering in its commitment to further assist our fellow citizens who have returned to the fold of the government.” RNT/JGC
