PAGADIAN CITY, Apr 28 (PIA) — Friends rescued (FRs) in the province have been greatly impressed with the government for the sincere implementation of programs and services to the people.
Four FRs shared their statement of gratitude during their guest appearance on the weekly program ‘Kapihan sa PIA” aired on DXPR radio station in the City, recently.
Loryjane Hintapa revealed that upon their return to the folds of the law, they were warmly received and welcomed by the troops of the 53rd Infantry (Faithful) Battalion, Philippine Army and received livelihood assistance from various agencies of the national government.
“I received starter kits from DOLE and underwent free skills training from TESDA. Apart from that, we also availed the animal dispersal program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) where I was given 3 sheeps to breed and 43 chickens to raise in order to help improve my livelihood,” Hintapa said in vernacular.
“I am also happy that my husband Noel, who is also an FR has been given an opportunity by the DA to work and he already has a monthly honorarium to receive from the agency,” Hintapa proudly shared.
Sammy Pardillo ‘Aka Andoy’, a former political instructor and chief of the defunct Guerilla Front KARA of the New Peoples Army (NPA’s) of the Western Mindanao Regional Committee received the initial P20 thousand financial assistance from the government and is expecting additional benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (ECLIP) as he turned over a high-powered firearm upon his surrender.
“When I surrendered to the 53rd Infantry Battalion recently, they took good care of me. I live temporarily in the halfway house while awaiting benefits being processed under the ECLIP program. They constantly monitor us and they check what our needs are,” Pardillo announced.
Marvie Nano, ‘Aka Kim’ also said that since her return to the folds of the law in May 2016 she has received a number of benefits from the government.
She received livelihood assistance of P65 thousand and an additional assistance from various government agencies, underwent skills training from TESDA, sent to college, graduated from the 10-month Psychoeducation program of Project Good Life and became a CAFGU member.
“The livelihood assistance I received from the government helped with my parents’ farm expenses and my siblings ’schooling,” Nano said.
“I am very happy that I was encouraged by the 53rd IB to continue my schooling and am now in my second year of college. They also made me a CAFGU member and I already have a monthly honorarium,” Nano said.
The FRs are very grateful to President Rodrigo Duterte that under his administration, the ECLIP and NTF-ELCAC programs were faithfully implemented and resulted in the surrender of more than a hundred of rebels and the return of their allegiance to the Philippine government. (RVC/EDT/GCC/PIA Zambonga del Sur)
