BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA) -- The newly organized Balik-Loob Organization of Mountain Province (BLOOMP) recently held its first general assembly here where national agencies and the provincial government expressed their support and presented their programs which the rebel returnees may avail to help them live peaceful life.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Evelyn Trinidad presented   government programs that may benefit the former rebels and their families such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, and Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict. 

Representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also shared their services that can be availed by the former rebels and their families.

Trinidad said the government, both the national and local government units and the agencies, are serious to give the necessary assistance that the FRs may need, albeit not all. She enjoined the FRs to continue living in peace and to persuade their former comrades to return to the folds of law.

Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. also highlighted the readiness of the government to help the organization.

 “Thank you, all line agencies who gave their commitment to help ti kapakanan ti daytoy nga organization. Ited  ti provincial government ti kaya na nga maitulong ken dakayo. Nangeg tayu ti commitment dagitoy national line agencies, naibaga da dagitoy programa da. Addo ti programa ti gobyerno.” he said.

Police Provincial Director PCol. Sibly Dawiguey, represented by his Deputy Provincial Director for Operations PLt. Col. Bernard Wong, expressed support to the activity highlighting the importance of crafting plans and activities of BLOOMP towards social healing and national unity.

 “This general assembly is important for us to plan for activities and programs that will help you, our balik-loob members, to address social healing and national unity towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace,” he said.

Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli, Philippine Army represented by 1Lt. Jake O. Baracion, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members Henry Bastian and Johnson Bantog through their respective secretaries also gave their messages of support during the activity held at the Half-way House, Senior Citizens and PWD Center here last April 28.

The BLOOMP composed of FRs from across the province was organized last year for unified representation, said Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Miguela P. Angwani. FRs who are organized into associations or cooperatives have better chances of availing livelihood and socio-economic growth programs and of no one being left behind. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)