LAGANGILANG, Abra (PIA) -- Thirty Abrenian former rebels (FRs) received  livelihood assistance under the Integrated Livelihood Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE-Cordillera  Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra, 24th Infantry Battalion Commanding Office Lt.Col. Ricardo Gary Garcia III, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority- Abra Provincial Director Jimicio Daoaten, DOLE-Abra OIC Provincial Director Christopher Tugadi and some municipal mayors led the  awarding of the livelihood packages at  the 24th Infantry Battalion Headquarters here  on Sept. 14.

Awarded were  five  sari-sari store package, 18 hog raising package, six goat raising package and one for  chicken layers. Beneficiaries  are  nine  from Tubo, 12 from Sallapadan, three from  Lacub,  two each from  Dolores and Malibcong,  and one  each from Villaviciosa and Licuan-Baay.

Lt.Col. Garcia said that this program is one of the initiatives  of the government in assisting former rebels in their re-integration into the mainstream society.

DOLE-CAR Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra assured the FRs that the government is always open and ready to accept them on their decision to return to the normal life.

“Marami kaming mga agencies na hadang tumanggap at sumalubong sa inyong pagbabalik at sana lahat ng naibigay sa inyo, pagbutihin ninyong palaguin para umasenso ang pamumuhay,” he said.

The  lone chicken layers package beneficiary  thanked the government for the assistance and for willingly accepting them  to return to their families and live normally.

“Chicken layers ang napili ko dahil malayo ang Sallapadan, malayo din ang mga bilihan ng itlog, wala ding bilihan masyado sa amin kasi walang layers kaya malaking tulong ito sa akin para makapagsimula ulit,” the former  Milisya ng Bayan  member said.

DOLE’s DILP seeks to reduce the vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers by providing them access to a grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood ventures either for individual or group undertakings. (JDP/CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)