TANJAY CITY, Negros Oriental, April 4 (PIA) -- To help former rebels (FRs) in their re-integration to mainstream society, the government opened its first halfway house for FRs in Central and Western Visayas inside the Philippine Army’s (PA) 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) Headquarters in this city.

The newly-built single-storey halfway house was inaugurated on April 3 with a blessing ceremony officiated by Msgr. Julius Heruela of the Diocese of Dumaguete.

Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary and “Task Force Balik Loob” Chairperson Angelito De Leon, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas Command (VisCom) Commanding Officer LTGen. Benedict Arevalo, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG7) Regional Director Leocadio Trovela came to lead the inauguration of the facility and express their support to this project.

On the other hand, officials and representatives of other agencies comprising the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) also participated in the inauguration of the said building.

The halfway house will not only serve as a temporary shelter for rebel surrenderees but will also serve as venue for various livelihood trainings by different government agencies to help them in their return to mainstream society.

The construction of the halfway house was funded by the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (ECLIP) of DILG with an amount of P4,898,189.37.  

It can accommodate 10 FRs and has rooms for double sharing, a common toilet, kitchen, dining area, and work area.

De Leon said FRs can stay in the halfway house while they wait for the processing of their benefit packages.

He also stressed that construction of the halfway house is a testament to the government’s sincerity in helping FRs.

“Yan po ay isa lamang sa marami pa. Mayroon pong educational opportunities, livelihood opportunities, housing opportunities because the ECLIP ay malawak po ang nasasakupan (This is just a part of many interventions. There will also be educational opportunities, livelihood opportunities, and housing opportunities because ECLIP covers a lot of areas of assistance),” De Leon said.

Arevalo stressed the project is the first of its kind in Regions 6 and 7.

“Unang pagkakataon pa na may inaugurate tayo halfway house para sa mga kapatid na nagbabalik-loob (This is the first time we have inaugurated a halfway house for our brethren who are returning to the folds of law).  My congratulations for making this happen. We are very much elated for having this kind of inauguration and we wish to show the people, not only in Negros Oriental but in the whole country, that there is hope for rebel returnees,” Arevalo said.

He also urged those who are still part of the armed struggle to surrender as he assured them of their safety and the government’s promise to help them start a new life.

Meanwhile, Trovela said the Provincial ECLIP committee will be convening other agencies involved in extending livelihood support to provide trainings for FRs to enhance their skills and help make their transition to mainstream society easier.

“Lahat ng government agencies like DTI, DOLE, TESDA lahat ng mga agency na may kinalaman para palakasin ang inyong hanapbuhay i-onboard po iyon ng ECLIP Committee with the DILG as the secretariat and law enforcement agencies (The ECLIP Committee with the DILG as the secretariat will put line agencies like DTI, DOLE, TESDA, on board to enhance livelihood opportunities for you with the help of our law enforcement agencies),” Trovela said.

Brigidaire General Leonardo Peña, commanding officer of the 302nd IB, said they will be in charge of the security of the FRs while they are staying in the halfway house while the management of the facility will be taken cared of by the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)