SANTA CRUZ, Laguna (PIA) — Government authorities have extended livelihood packages to the families of militia members and former rebels to complete their reintegration process in their communities.
A total of 144 dependents of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) active auxiliary officers and rebel returnees received their livelihood starter kits composed of sari-sari store, rice retailing kits, frozen goods, and yema production kits in a distribution ceremony at the Laguna Cultural Center in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on September 27.
The beneficiaries were screened and validated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Laguna along with various government agencies such as the Laguna Peace and Order Office (LPOO), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Laguna, and the 202nd Infantry Unifier Brigade and 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Government agencies say that the distribution serves as a recognition for the sacrifices and heroism of CAFGU officers in ensuring the peace and security of Laguna province. Laguna Peace and Order Office head, Atty. Laurence Pasia hopes that the livelihood assistance will bring better lives for the beneficiaries. (STT/PIA-4A)
DOLE Laguna chief Guido Recio emphasized the collaborative effort of different government agencies in identifying the beneficiaries.
“This livelihood program is a convergence of various government agencies, so we have been cooperating with them in identifying beneficiaries to have a better understanding of who needs our services,” Recio added.
The Philippine Army, meanwhile, described the assistance as a recognition for the sacrifices and heroism of CAFGU officers in ensuring the peace and security of Laguna province.
Lawyer Laurence Pasia, LPOO Officer-in-charge, expressed the hope that the livelihood assistance would bring better lives for the beneficiaries.
“Now that you have been given seeds, may it prosper under your care. We genuinely hope that this can truly be the start of your progress,” Pasia said.
Livelihood recipient Leticia Fernandez, a 57 year-old resident of Majayjay, Laguna, said that due to health conditions, she and her sibling have been unable to work.
“This kind of humanitarian service is really timely, especially during the pandemic when everyone’s lives have become harder. Our livelihood is truly hand-to-mouth. We are grateful that there are people like them who can provide for people like us who are really struggling,” Fernandez adds.
The distribution of assistance packages was in celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month. (AM/PIA IV-A)
144 dependents of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) active auxiliary officers and rebel returnees received their livelihood starter kits composed of sari-sari store, rice retailing kits, frozen goods and yema production kits in a distribution ceremony as part of the National Peace Consciousness Month. (STT/PIA-4A)
