LAGANGILANG, Abra (PIA) – More than 60 former rebels in Abra were urged to partner with the government during the distribution of assistance in Lagangilang, Abra recently.

The beneficiaries from the different municipalities were oriented about the program that aims to transform the lives of former rebels, their families, and communities towards ending local communist armed conflict.

The Transformation Program is an initiative of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru),  as lead agency of the Localized Peace Engagement Cluster under the Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict institutionalized under Executive Order No. 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

During a recent program orientation, Chrisol Catalino, representative of the  Opapru, urged the former rebels to help them creating a master list of former rebels who can avail of the program. Former rebels may also organize themselves into peoples’ organizations, and help mount trainings for the successful implementation of the Transformation Program.

“We have a long way to go. Adu ti aramiden tayo iti daytoy Transformation Program ditoy Abra ket haan nga overnight nga malpas daytoy. We want Abra to be an example nga maipannakel tayo met nga Abra is working together for their Transformation Program [We have a long way to go. There is a lot to do for the Transformation Program here in Abra and we cannot finish this overnight. We want Abra to be an example that we can be proud to say that the province is working together for its Transformation Program,” he said.

During the orientation, OPAPRU North Luzon area manager Fr. Adonis Bringas said that the nationwide transformation program aims to integrate former rebels back to society and help them lead productive lives.

“Daytoy transformation program ket maysa nga programa ti gobierno nga mang-urnong kadagiti NPA wenno former rebels nga bimmaba tapno mai-integrate wenno mai-mainstream da. Daydiay transformation program nga kunkuna tayo ket maawan ti pagdumaan ti saan nga nag-armas ken ti nag-armas ngem ketdi daytoy nga nag-armas ket masapol nga mai-integrate wenno maisubli idiay komunidad [This transformation program is a program of the government that gathers NPAs or former rebels who have surrendered, so that they will be integrated or mainstreamed. This transformation program makes no difference for one who was unarmed or armed, but the armed  should be reintegrated to the community],” he explained.

Bringas shared that programs and assistance for former rebel beneficiaries in Abra are lined up under the Transformation Program. He said that Opapru will create a Special Project Team composed of three personnel that the office will hire.

“Kayat tayo nga agbiag tayo amin. Umay kami ditoy gapu ta adda ti gobierno; tapno maurnos ti former rebels, tapno napintas ti panangaisyangkat daytoy programa tayo [We want everyone to live. We come here because there is a government;  to organize  the former rebels, so that the program will be implemented efficiently],” he said.

 As part of the orientation program, the 69 FRs also received 50 kilos of rice each. The distribution was led by representatives of the Opapru, 24th Infantry Battalion, and Philippine National Police.

Lt. Col. Jose Wilfredo Panes, commanding officer of the 24th Infantry Battalion, said the distribution was part of a bigger initiative towards peace and development.

 “Hindi na tayo dapat nagaaway-away. Magkaisa tayo at nagpapasalamat ako sa pagbalik ninyo sa gobyerno natin. Sana tuloy-tuloy na ang ating transformation program at itong rice distribution ay konting bigay lang ng Opapru [We should not fight one another. Let us unite and so I am thankful that you came back to the folds of our government. I hope our Transformation Program continues and this distribution rice is a small assistance from Opapru],” he said.(JJPM-PIA Abra)