DTI grants 1.7M Livelihood Assistance to 43 People’s Organization in Bukidnon

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – 27 October, a total of 403 beneficiaries from 43 People’s Organization (POs) formerly supporting the Communist Terrorist Group in Quezon, Bukidnon received Livelihood Assistance amounting to Php 1.7M in the form of starter kits for Agrivet Supply, Sari-Sari Store, Agricultural Supply and Bigasan ng Bayan under the “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program” (PPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the 88th Infantry (Maringal) Battalion at Barangay Covered Court of Barangay Salawagan, Quezon Bukidnon.

The said activity was realized through the relentless effort of the Mobile Community Support Sustainment Team (MCSST) of Bravo Company, 88th Infantry “Maringal Battallion, deployed in Quezon Bukidnon. The said program is aligned with the government’s Whole of Nation Approach in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict. DTI’s “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program” aims to help the beneficiaries to generate income through Livelihood Programs.

The said activity was attended by Mr. Laurente Alvarez Jr, Executive Assistant of Municipal Mayor of Quezon, Ms. Famelah Racquel D. Villanueva, OIC Provincial Director of DTI, Hon. Rosalinda Lopez, Barangay Chairman of Salawagan and LTC CHRISTIAN JAMES P VINGNO INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of 88IB.

Alias Tita, a Former Rebel, and one of the beneficiaries of the Livelihood assistance expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the said government program, in his statement he compared his life while he was still in the terrorist organization which is full of suffering and regret. He said, “Nalipay ko sa pagtabang sa mga kasundaluhan og sa DTI sa among mga nagbalik-loob sa gobyerno labi na kay kini makatabang og dako sa among panginabuhian. Sa una pa naa pa ko sa kalihukan perteng kalisod ang akoang naagian, ang pasalig sa mga kumander, walay bisan is nga gituman kana dako akong pagbasol”. (I am grateful for the help of Philippine Army and DTI have extended to us, former rebels. I remember the days when I’m in the CTG organization; we experienced nothing but hardship and regrets.)

Director Villanueva thanked the team of Bravo Company, 88IB for facilitating the needed requirements of the 43 POs that qualified them to be the beneficiaries of the DTI program. “Without the effort of the Philippine Army, the implementation of this program would have not been a reality”, she added.

LTC Vingno, on his part, also thanked the DTI leadership for providing the livelihood assistance to the FRs. He also recognized the hard work of our ground troops who facilitated the implementation of the program.” Your ARMY as a partner in uplifting the lives of the least privilege members of our society will help DTI in monitoring that this program will be implemented by every beneficiary”, he added.

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