Thirty-one former members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Wednesday received livelihood assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry in Leyte in partnership with the Baybay City government, to support their reintegration into mainstream society.
The assistance was extended under the DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program, which aims to help former rebels rebuild their lives and establish sustainable sources of income and promote long-term economic stability.
The ex-rebels were drafted into the Baybay Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (IPDWA) whose membership came from Barangays Cabungaan, Mapgap, Monterico, Amguhan, Ciabu, Maypatag, and Maysapa in Baybay City.
Of the group’s 75 members, 31 qualified to receive livelihood packages for hog-raising and rice retailing after meeting program requirements, including having existing or ongoing small-scale livelihood activities.
