The 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Provincial Veterinary Office turned over 200 free-range chickens to an association of former rebels in Brgy. Washington, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, last week.
They turned over 200 chickens and two sacks of feed pellets to the Escalante Peace Farmers Association on February 7, the 79IB reported on Saturday, February 17.
This activity aims to boost multi-stakeholder partnerships that focus on strengthening a sustainable livelihood for the former rebels, a 79IB press release said.
The program is in partnership with the PVO and Escalante City government to develop a sustainable potential source of income “to sustain the gains towards community development”, it said.
The turnover was also attended by Escalante Vice Mayor Rogelio Preitos, Councilor Richardy Pios, some city heads, and members of ESPEFA with their president Janet Pantonial.
Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said that this is their commitment to be of service not only to reintegrated citizens but to the entire Negrosanons as a whole which will greatly contribute to national development.
“This will further sustain our gains towards their development as renewed citizens, which with utmost hope, can influence others who are still fighting a futile cause and a dead-end ideology to surrender and lay down their arms”, he added.*