Surigao mulls establishment of peace village for former rebels

The provincial government here thru the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) is mulling the establishment of a peace village for the former rebels (FR) to help them assimilate and live normally in the mainstream of society.

In the recently held PPOC meeting, Provincial Human Resources Management and Development (HRMD) Head Ramon Gotinga, said the proposal aims to encourage rebels to come down and live harmoniously with the community. “A village where peace and harmony prevails, where people help and respect each other practicing bayanihan in all communal works.”

As suggested, the council chaired by Gov. Sol Matugas will spearhead the program thru the office of the HRMD, Barangay Development Office and Department of the Interior and Local Government as facilitators.

Gov. Matugas said that she has already identified a suitable land with enough space where houses will be located.

“It is in barangay Ipil, Surigao City. We have our nine (9) hectares lot there. I am thinking of providing them may be two (2) hectares to resettle our rebel returnees.”

Matugas added that the beneficiaries will be provided with employment and livelihood opportunities for their sustenance. “The program will have an employment and livelihood component. It is actually a self-contained community.”

The children (if there are any) will also be enrolled as scholars in the province.

Thereafter, they will be facilitated to be employed in any industries within the province.

According to Gov. Matugas, the proposed program will be a multi-stakeholders undertaking with the national and local governments, business and non-government organizations. (PIA)

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