Five former rebels have each received Php 15,000 in Livelihood Settlement Grants under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6.
The turnover ceremony was led by DSWD-6 Project Development Officer Anthony Laruan, together with Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and representatives from the Philippine Army.
The beneficiaries, who hailed from Igbaras, Tubungan, and Lemery, had been involved in the communist movement for seven to ten years before returning to mainstream society. Their identification and validation were facilitated by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) under acting head Rani Melvi Cuarte.
Banias welcomed their reintegration into the government’s fold and encouraged them to pursue higher education through the provincial scholarship program for former rebels, underscoring the province’s commitment to supporting their transition to productive civilian life.