BALER, Aurora (PIA) -- A total of 35 former rebels (FRs) in Aurora received livelihood assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

They are beneficiaries of the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) which is a livelihood seeding program that aims to assist individuals affected by calamities and health disasters, communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and those identified by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to recover or start their businesses.

DTI Aurora Senior Trade Industry Specialist Bryan Omar Sardea said the livelihood kits include groceries, rice, and poultry-raising packages that were based on request of the beneficiaries during profiling.

In his message, DTI Provincial Director Aldrin Veneracion challenged the PPG beneficiaries to sustain development and flourish the livelihood opportunities they received so that they could improve the quality of their life.

For his part, 91st Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Julito Recto Jr. expressed his support to the program of DTI and will continue to help surrenderers in their reintegration into mainstream society.

“Our government is always ready to assist you to make sure that your business is continually growing. We are always ready to help you generate income through livelihood programs. We will also assist DTI in monitoring your business for your success,” Recto told recipients.

DTI will distribute PPG livelihood kits to another group of FRs this November. (CLJD/MAT-PIA 3)