MILITARY troops belonging to the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) have started teaching former rebels (FRs) the various methods of farming particularly animal raising so that they could earn a living without depending much on financial assistance coming from the government, a military official said Wednesday.
Newly assumed Army’s 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said the hands-on training for the rebel returnees aims to enhance their skills in farming and other forms of economic activities.
Cordero said that through 29IB civil-military operation officer, Cpt. Miguel O. Borromeo Jr. conducted an orientation on “hog raising” to the former rebels who received the piglets on July 18, 2020, at their headquarters in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
The training is given under the “Balik-Loob Program” of the government as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Executive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in ending armed conflict in the country.
“Piglets which distributed to the former rebels for breeding purposes are coming from the provincial agriculturist office,” said Cordero.
The 29IB received the piglets on July 15, 2020, through the animal (Swine) dispersal project of the “AGUSAN UP” of the local government unit of Agusan del Norte headed by Gov. Dale B. Corvera.
The farming and animal-raising program dubbed by the military as “Bagong Buhay, Bagong Pag-asa” helps former rebels who have opted to abandon their armed struggle to sustain the needs of their family, according to Cordero.
“Ako mapasalamaton nga ang akong pamilya usa sa mga benepisyaryo sa proyekto sa gobyerno. Dili namo mahuna hunaan kung unsa among kinabuhi karon kung wala ang tabang ug suporta sa gobyerno sa amo,” said one of the former rebels, alias LT. Peñas.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Capt. Borromeo being a graduate of veterinary technology was glad as he was able to impart his knowledge and expertise on livestock management to the the former rebels who participated in the project.
“The government is truly benevolent and is willing to help its people but we just need to do our part to help ourselves and support our government,” said Borromeo.
29IB commander Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste said that he was indeed grateful, for the continuous help of the LGUs to the people especially to the former rebels.
“Truly the pandemic has not stopped our government from extending its concern and support to the people who were in great need. Let us just continue to combine our efforts for our people. By doing so, I know that the peace and development which we are all hoping for will be realized,'' Criste said. (Ben Balce)
