REINTEGRATION. Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay answers questions during a media forum at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City on Thursday (July 18, 2024). The DSWD continues to intensify its efforts to provide more opportunities to sustain the reintegration of former rebels into society. (Photo courtesy of DSWD)
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), continues to intensify its efforts to provide more opportunities to sustain the reintegration of former rebels (FR) into society, a senior DSWD official said on Thursday.
During the weekly media forum at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City, DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay said the case management for former rebels and extremists is one of the agency’s accomplishments in the first half of 2024.
“Ang case management po ay instruction ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian noong sya ay pumasok sa DSWD (The case management was a directive from Secretary Rex Gatchalian when he joined the DSWD),” Tanjusay told the media.
“Sinabi niya na ang DSWD ay hindi lamang nagbibigay ng cash o ng ayuda sa ating mga kababayan. Dapat ay nagsasagawa rin ang DSWD ng case management na kung saan ay bibigyan ng tutok ang bawat isang FR at extremist upang masusubaybayan sila patungo doon sa kanilang reintegration sa kanilang pamilya, sa kanilang communities upang makamit natin yung tinatawag na peace and development talaga sa mga regions (He said the DSWD is not just giving assistance or cash. It should also do case management, giving focus on former rebels and extremists to monitor their reintegration into their families and communities to achieve peace and development in their regions).”
He said the case management, which is under the DSWD’s Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) Program, underscores the agency’s long-term commitment to looking after the welfare and livelihood of former members of various non-state groups, violent extremist groups, and adults and children in armed conflict situations.
“Kaya nilang magbago at magbagong-buhay provided nandon ang gobyerno na tutulong sa kanila. Willing silang magbagong-buhay at makasama muli ang kanilang pamilya, bantayan ang kanilang anak na nag-aaral, at ayusin ang kanilang pamamahay (They can change and renew their lives provided the government is there to help them. They are willing to rebuild their lives and be with their family again, look after their children who are studying, and organize their household),” he said.
The “Buong Bansa Mapayapa” or BBM peace and development program aims to formalize the convergence of various efforts within the agency to attain inclusive and sustainable peace and development both in conflict-affected and -vulnerable areas.
During the forum, he also discussed the accomplishments of the DSWD’s various programs and services for former members of different non-state groups, violent extremist groups, and adults and children in armed conflict situations, and their families.
Under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, the DSWD has provided livelihood assistance to about 1,241 conflict vulnerable areas (CVAs); shelter assistance to the municipalities of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte; and Tungawan and Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay.
About 60,634 households, he said, also benefited from the 221 community projects using the Community Driven Development technology.
The PAMANA, as one of the modalities of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), aims to improve access of conflict-affected barangays to basic social services and responsive, transparent, and accountable local governments.
As part of the DSWD’s commitment to Executive Order 70, series of 2018, the agency has provided a package of services to 516 FRs, four former violent extremists (FVEs), and two children involved in armed conflict (CIAC).
Aside from PAMANA, Tanjusay said the DSWD also has a whole-of-nation approach to assistance for the former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CCP-NPA), Abu Sayyaf group, and extremist terrorist groups.
These include Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), SLP, psychosocial intervention, and social pension, among others.
Tanjusay said the department also provides family food packs (FFPs) and other relief assistance during disasters.
For the members of the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (KAPATIRAN), the DSWD and other government agencies assist them in the construction of shelter units, child development centers, and health centers, among others.
He said the agency implements the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Transformation Program and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Normalization Program.
Based on the conducted focus group discussions with former rebels, Tanjusay said, poverty is one of the main reasons why they join non-state and violent extremist groups. (PNA)
