Mindanaotoday.com | Former rebels in MisOr town open livelihood arcade
By: Vincent Philip Bautista
CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental – The 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion (58IB) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental (PGMO), public and private stakeholders, and former CTG-NPA rebels formally opened its Anlag Ani Tapukanan Livelihood Arcade, September 28.
From the Higaonon dialect ANLAG-Sunshine; ANI-Harvest and TAPUKANAN-place of gathering, the livelihood arcade aims to give an avenue to products and services from former rebels who received different skills development and livelihood training from various government agencies.
“This place is a testament to good convergence in the spirit of the whole of the nation approach to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) and providing our former rebel’s livelihood as an integral part of integrating them into mainstream society,” said Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, Former 58IB commander.
As one of the flagship projects of Misamis Oriental’s RTF-ELCAC, the arcade grants livelihood assistance that will contribute to poverty reduction to former rebels and reduce their vulnerability as they return to mainstream society.
More than 300 former rebels are expected to benefit from the livelihood arcade as more CTG-NPA surrender to the folds of the law each day.
“We are thankful, together with my colleagues who were former rebels for the support we received, we would have not been here today if it were not because of your great efforts to provide us with a new livelihood. We made no mistake in our decision to return to the bosom of the law because of the new life and hope you have given us,” Former Rebel and President of the Anlag Ani Tapukanan Cooperative Robert B Bangcong said. (VPSB | PIA-10 | Misamis Oriental)
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