Village for ex-rebels opens in Maasim

By Macky Macavinta and Beverly Paoyon

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 11, 2009) – Former rebels and victims ofcalamity have a new home with the opening of MJ-Village Housing and Resettlement Site at barangay Kabatiol.

The project was spearheaded by Mayor Jojo Lopez along with Governor Migs Dominguez with the support of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).

The project’s area covers 5.2 hectares and would serve as home to 34 rebel returnees.

Other beneficiaries were 14 families displaced by typhoon Frank.“This project will serve as a social integration program for formerCPP/NPA rebels,” said OPAPP Undersecretary Nabil Tan, who attended theJuly 9 groundbreaking ceremony.“This is an improved rebel returnee (program) which will includelivelihood and emergency assistance,” Tan added.

Mayor Lopez said “we invited the Department of Agriculture and Department of Social Welfare and Development to aid us in providing livelihood programs since the soil in the area has potential for agricultural growth.”

The ceremony was attended by Vice Governor Steve Solon and Kabatiol barangay captain Noel Tapan, a former communist rebel. Beneficiary families would be relocated by first week of August.

Vice Governor Solon said the rebel returnees are now called Kauban sa Reporma (KR).As economic assistance to the KRs, Tan distributed checks to the 34 beneficiaries amounting each to P20,000 which they would use ascapital for projects through direct organization of cooperatives.

Tan pointed out KR recipients were those that have applied for amnesty.This effort is a “reintegration to mainstream society,” Tan said,referring to KRs who have “returned to the folds of law as they heedthe call of government for peace and reconciliation.”Tan conveyed his confidence for the KR’s intention of “making peace asbetter alternatives than war hostilities.”

Governor Dominguez, on the other hand, cited ignorance as a problemcountry-wide that needs to be addressed thru quality education. He told his constituents never to lose hope as his administration is pushing for programs to improve education.

The governor also challenged the KRs to continue working with the government in keeping peaceful communities. (SARANGANI INFORMATIONOFFICE)