MATI CITY, Davao Oriental – The 66th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army continues to support and monitor the livelihood projects of the organizations of former rebels in Davao Oriental to ensure their success amid reports of some livelihood projects struggling to thrive.
“(On top of the) support ng government, binabantayan din natin sila ngayon, tinitingnan kung pa’no sila maglevel up based doon sa kanilang income na nakukuha so far (in their respective livelihood projects),” Maj. Raul Delos Santos, executive officer of the 66th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army said during the Kolokabildo sang Davao Oriental.
(Aside from government support, we are also closely monitoring them, assessing how they can further improve and expand their livelihood projects based on the income they have generated so far.)
Recently, Delos Santos revealed that they received a report from a people’s organization in Lupon, Davao Oriental, whose livelihood venture faced challenges as goods in their store expired due to poor sales.
As a response, Delos Santos said they immediately conducted an assessment to identify the problem and provide necessary interventions. However, he clarified that the goods were not expired when distributed but eventually expired due to low demand and prolonged storage.
To address the issue, Delos Santos said they have already provided additional training to help the organization better manage their livelihood projects and align their efforts with the actual needs of the community.
“Kulang lang sa study sa area but na-address na namin yan. So ngayon, nagpapaconduct kami ulit ng training ‘dyan sa kanila para ma-assess ‘yong problema at matulungan pa natin sila sa kanilang livelihood,” he explained.
(There is a lack of study in the area, but we have addressed that. So now, we are conducting another training for them to assess the problem and help them with their livelihood project.)
Delos Santos reiterated that the livelihood projects granted to the people’s organizations were selected according to the preferences and capacity of the organizations.
He added that proper training was provided before the implementation of the chosen livelihood projects to ensure the success and sustainability of the livelihood project.
However, Delos Santos noted that based on their monitoring, all livelihood projects provided to former rebel organizations have been performing well so far.
“Dahil sabi nga na mayroong mga people’s organizations na nag fi-failed but sa monitoring amin actually wala kaming na-monitor na (totally) failed sya. So far, ‘yong mga people’s organization naman na binabantayan namin dito sa province is good naman,” he shared.
(Because there are reports that there are people’s organizations that have failed, but in our monitoring, we actually did not monitor that they totally failed. So far, the people’s organizations that we are monitoring here in the province are doing well.)
Moreover, Delos Santos said that as part of their Community Support Program (CSP), they regularly visit people’s organizations in every barangay in the province to monitor their livelihood projects and provide necessary training to help members improve their livelihood ventures.
He added that they are particularly strengthening their engagement with former rebels through their organizations to ensure their continued reformation. (ASO/PIA XI)
