PEACE EFFORTS. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan speaks to soldiers and formers rebels in San Jose de Buan town in this undated photo. The Samar provincial government has released PHP20 million in assistance to former rebels as part of its initiative to help the national government’s peacebuilding efforts. (Photo courtesy of Samar provincial government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Samar provincial government has released nearly PHP20 million in assistance to former rebels as part of its initiative to help the national government’s peacebuilding efforts.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said in a speech Wednesday that in the past four years, the provincial government already disbursed PHP14.4 million as financial assistance and PHP5.5 million funds for housing project to former rebels as part of their reintegration program.
Tan said that since 2020, some 873 former rebels have received financial assistance from the provincial government under the local integration program.
The provincial government also released funding to local government units as assistance for a housing project intended for former rebels under the “Saad nga Balay” (promised housing) program.
The recipients of free houses are surrendered rebels from the towns of San Jose de Buan, Calbiga, and Matuguinao.
At least 10 houses are funded by the provincial government in San Jose de Buan and have already been turned over to beneficiaries; another 10 houses are under construction in Calbiga; and 30 houses are up for construction in Matuguinao town.
The Philippine Army’s 801st Infantry Brigade conceptualized the housing project to ensure that surrenderers would not be influenced again by the New People’s Army.
“I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the six battalions and two brigades under the 8th Infantry Division headed by Major General Camilo Ligayo for all the operations and humanitarian support they have extended to the people of Samar,” Tan said.
The governor added that they are expecting the insurgency problem to end in Samar with the implementation of road network projects connecting interior towns to the national highway, including the ongoing road projects that connect the three provinces of Samar Island.
These projects include the Gandara-Pagsanghan, Sta. Rita-Talalora, the Jipapad-Las Navas, Matuguinao-Las Navas, and the Basey-Maydolong roads. (PNA)
