CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has provided a livelihood assistance package to farmers’ groups whose members include  the associations of former communist rebels in San Mariano, Isabela province. 

The Paninnan Farmers Association received a half-million peso in livelihood package while the Subli Dibuluan Association received P300,000 worth of assistance which will be used to up their venture.

Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Froctoso Agustin said the program aims to uplift the well-being of the rebel returnees through the provision of assistance to start up their income-generating ventures.

He said the Paninnan farmers will engage in farm input trading to benefit their fellow farmers in their community while the members of the Subli Dibuluan Association will explore opportunities for the sale of motorcycle parts and accessories, and vulcanizing shop. 

Agustin also said the program is in partnership with the local government unit of San Mariano. The town is one of the insurgency-infested areas in the Cagayan Valley region. 

“The substantial assistance from DOLE and the local government underscores a dedicated commitment to foster positive change for former rebels and as a support to the community reintegration program as part of the fight against insurgency,” Agustin said.

Gaudencio Arcela, president of the Paninnan Farmers Association, expressed his gratitude to the government for facilitating the provision of livelihood assistance to their group, acknowledging the program's impact on rebuilding their lives in mainstream society. 

“Ang malaking tulong na ito mula sa DOLE at LGU San Mariano ay gagawin naming sandata para labanan ang kahirapan at ituwid ang aming ideolohiya para sa aming kinabukasan (This assistance from DOLE and LGU San Mariano will serve as our weapon to fight poverty and to correct our ideologies for our future)," Arcela said.

Rosendo Ignacio, president of the Subli Dubinan Association, also assured the government that they will utilize the assistance wisely and improve further their business venture to benefit more members. 

Meanwhile, Municipal Administrator Monico Aggabao of LGU San Mariano said the livelihood endeavors of the two organizations are very much viable considering the far distance of the town to the province's trade and economic hub. 

"Our collaboration with the national government agencies and law enforcers aims to encourage former rebels to surrender and be reintegrated into the community to be productive and be part of the government's thrust of nation-building. This is also one of our efforts to address insurgency issues in this municipality,” Aggabo said. 

Aggabao is also hopeful that the remaining rebels operating in their areas of responsibility will surrender and avail of government services. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)