Program for ex-rebels gets support from prov'l government
Mr. Milo D. Maestrecampo, Social Integration Program (SIP) Western Visayas Area Coordinator for OPAPP, presented to the Iloilo Provincial Peace and Order Council the accomplishments of SIP in Panay Island. In Panay there have been a total of 23 former rebels who have availed of SIP, nine of which are from the Province of Iloilo. Out of the nine, three of these former rebels surrendered only this year.
The OPAPP, together with the Philippine Army represented by Col. Gerardo T Layug, Commander, 301st Infantry Brigade, strongly urged the Provincial Governments in Panay thru its Provincial Peace and Order Councils to issue an Executive Order to create the Local Social Integration Committee (LSIC) that will convene to create the Local Social Integration Plan (LSIP.)
The LSIP will govern and sustain the reintegration effort of the former rebels in their respective home provinces. Maestrecampo commented that the responsibility for the success of these former rebels’ reintegration lies in the local chief executive branch.
However, OPAPP will support the initiatives and the programs of the LSIM once it is established. Capiz Governor Victor Tangco, after hearing OPAPP’s report and recommendations during their PPOC last March 4 at the Provincial Capitol in Roxas City, pledged that he will immediately issue an Executive Order creating the LSIC at the provincial level to come up with the Province’s LSIP.
Col. Layug appealed for the assistance of the local provincial governments in convincing active rebels in their respective provinces to lay down their arms and avail of the Government’s Social Integration Program. He also added that the Army is expecting more surrenderees within the next few months and is optimistic that with the creation of the LSICs and the implementation of the LSIP in Panay, even more rebels will be encouraged to follow suit and avail of the SIP.
In his closing remarks at the Iloilo PPOC, Maestrecampo re-emphasized the creation of the LSIC in Iloilo and a request for the availability of personnel from the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Social Welfare Office in processing the former rebels for reintegration. OPAPP is scheduled to process the 23 former rebels on March 16-19 at Headquarters 301 Infantry Brigade, Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo. After processing, the former rebels will be formally awarded by OPAPP Secretary Avelino Razon Jr.
The 3rd Infantry Division is sincere in its endeavor to create a lasting peace in Western Visayas. It is thru convergence with the local chief executives, government agencies, and other stakeholders that this endeavor may be fully realized. The 3ID is appreciative that the SIP is getting the full support of the Local Chief Executives in achieving its long-term goal of sustaining genuine social and economic integration of the former rebels and contributing to healing divisions in the community.