Former NPA regulars, Militia and BOP members, receive livelihood cash assistance through LSIP of Northern Samar

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
December 1, 2012

BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar  –  A total of twenty three (23) former NPA regulars, militias and members of Batakang Organisasyon han Partido (BOP), a CPP/NPA mass organization in the barangays, have received livelihood financial cash assistance through the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of Northern Samar and the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) in a simple ceremony at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at around 9:00 o’clock in the morning of November 28, 2012.

The giving of said financial assistance came after the conduct of a three (3) day social preparation cum livelihood workshop on reintegration and rehabilitation conducted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Northern Samar.

The said seminar workshop is aimed to prepare the former NPA regulars, Militia and BOP members as they will be reintegrated into the mainstream of our society to start anew, normal and decent lives along with their families. The 3-day workshop was attended/participated by Director Carmen Mejia of Northern Samar PSWDO; Fr. Fred Placa, Pastoral Director, Diocese of Catarman; Ms. Maricel Bantilo, representative from OPAPP; PSSupt Isias Tonog, PD, NSPPO; other top ranking military; and friends from the media.

The said seminar workshop includes subjects on: Financial and Home management; Understanding and overcoming obstacles in starting a business; Getting to Know you; Choosing the Right Livelihood Project; Marketing Strategies; Financial Recording; and Spiritual Enlightenment and Recollection.

A total of three hundred fifty five thousand pesos (P355,000.00) as livelihood and cash assistance were given to the beneficiaries. Six (6) former NPA regulars received P40,000.00 each; One (1) unit militia received an amount of P10,000.00 as cash assistance; four (4) BOP leaders received P5,000.00 each; seven (7) facilitators or those who worked out and negotiated for the surrender of NPA regulars also received P5,000.00 each; and the eighteen (18) members of the defunct BOP received a livelihood cash assistance amounting to P50,000.00.

The former NPA regulars, militia and BOP members came out and voluntarily surfaced after the series of Bayanihan Team activities conducted by the troops of 20IB in the province.

According to LTC Noel Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer: “These former NPA regulars, militia and BOP members, after knowing the programs of the government that would indeed help them in starting a new life, have realized the futility of their continued resistance and support to the terrorist group. With the continued implementation of all the programs and Bayanihan team activities, with the continued support of all our Internal Peace and Security stakeholders in the province, more of them will come out knowing that there is a big opportunity for them to once again live a normal and peaceful life.”