CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A Halfway House and Livelihood Center constructed inside the Headquarters of the 402nd Infantry “Stingers” Brigade (402Bde) was formally handed over by the Department of Interior and Local Government in Caraga (DILG-13) to the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte.
The turnover ceremony held on Friday, September 3, 2021 was graced by Gov. Dale B. Corvera; Agusan del Norte Second Dist. Rep. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba; and DILG-13 Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion.
The center will primarily serve as a training facility to hone the skills of former rebels (FRs) and to prepare them for reintegration to their families and inn the community.
Col. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, the Commander of 402Bde, welcomed the turnover of the facility that will further strengthen the different interventions of the government to the former combatants of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) who decided to abandon the futile armed struggle and returned to the mainstream society.
Col. Orio commended the concerted efforts of the DILG, the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte, and the committee that works under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for the completion and turnover of the livelihood center.
The construction of the Halfway House and Livelihood Center had a total cost of PHP5 million that was funded under the DILG-ECLIP.
In his message during the turnover ceremony, Gov. Corvera thanked the FRs for the cooperation they have shown with the government.
“The establishment of this center proves the sincerity of the government in helping the former rebels, especially for their future,” Gov. Corvera said.
For her part, Rep. Amante-Matba also thanked the FRs for deciding to go back to the government. She sincerely talked to the FRs to encourage them to utilize properly the benefits of the reintegration program to improve their lives.
One of the former rebel in reply made an appeal to the remaining CTG combatants in Caraga Region to open their minds and consider the offer of the government. He explained that they made a mistake in joining the CTG who only exploited them and gave empty promises.
The turnover ceremony on Friday was also witnessed by PCol. Martin Gamba, the Director of Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office; Ellen Chua, theD of the DILG in Agusan del Norte; and other to Head of Line Government Agencies in the province. ###(Cpt Romorosa,CMO Officer, 402Bde).
