Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of cash assistance and food packs to 57 former rebels at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, Tuesday, May 16.
“This distribution assistance is just proof that the provincial government is willing to help and support you,” Lacson said.
The national government gave P5,000 and the provincial government gave food packs to each of the former rebels, he said.
This is an ongoing program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help the former rebels in their transition to becoming ordinary citizens, Acting Provincial Social Welfare Officer Ma. Gerla Sario said.
The governor said that the assistance and cash payouts came from the regional DSWD office and provincial government, while the national agency is processing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program for them.
Sario said that through the program, former rebels will be provided cash assistance to start their own livelihood.
They also assisted about 50 former rebels from the province last year and she hopes they can help more this year, she said.
They are also preparing more cash assistance programs for other marginalized sectors in the province, Sario said.*