ILOILO – In a continuing push for peace and reintegration, nine former rebels in this province have embarked on a new chapter as small-scale entrepreneurs after receiving ₱20,000 each in livelihood settlement grants from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The total disbursement of ₱180,000 was made in coordination with the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry “Hunter” Battalion (61IB), the Iloilo provincial government, and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), as part of efforts to transition former insurgents into productive members of society.
The beneficiaries—four from Miag-ao, two from Tubungan, two from Oton, and one from Janiuay—are now starting ventures such as cattle raising, native chicken farming, and other small-scale businesses.
Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos Jr., commanding officer of the 61IB, underscored the program’s transformative potential.
“We are proud to witness the transformation of these former rebels as they take concrete steps toward a peaceful and productive life. This initiative proves that with unity, commitment, and sustainable support, reintegration is possible, and peace is achievable,” he said.
The grant is part of a national effort to reintegrate ex-combatants through livelihood assistance. According to DSWD, over 1,262 former rebels and violent extremists nationwide have received ₱20,000 each under SLP’s Track One, totaling ₱25.24 million in grants.
From 2015 to mid-2024, more than 36,000 individuals—including former members of communist groups and decommissioned fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)—have been supported by DSWD and its partner agencies.
In Iloilo alone, the provincial task force under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) has extended nearly ₱9.05 million in benefits from 2016 to 2024 to 132 former rebels. These include immediate cash aid, livelihood support, and firearms remuneration.
These efforts are in line with Executive Order No. 70, signed in 2018, which established a “whole-of-nation” approach to ending local communist armed conflict by harmonizing efforts across national agencies, the military, and local government units.
DSWD noted that aside from financial grants, continued mentorship, business development training, and referral to other support programs are provided to help ensure the long-term success of the beneficiaries’ enterprises./PN
