First batch of SIP graduates in Panay complete livelihood training
The 1st Batch of 23 Social Integration Program (SIP) awardees had already received P20,000 cash assistance each last March and as promised were awarded their capital goods worth P50,000 each upon completion of their livelihood training with the LSIP’s of Iloilo and Capiz. The first batch was provided with 19 carabaos, 4 cows, 4 motorcycles, 12 bigas package, 4 trisikads, 1 bicycle, 1 hand-driven tractor, and 3 sari-sari store packages.
In a simple ceremony held at the Capiz Provincial Capitol in Roxas City yesterday afternoon, the SIP awardees were each given their startup capital in-kind by the OPAPP, as represented by Usec. Pedro Cesar Ramboanga, together with Capiz Governor Vic Tangco, and Major Gen. Vicente M. Porto representing the Philippine Army.
The SIP is a program that was initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to support the AFP’s efforts through its Balik-Baril program and aims to provide former rebels with the needed resources to reintegrate themselves within the mainstream populace. Those who avail of the program will receive a cash reward for their surrendered firearms, undergo a Livelihood Skills training Seminar, and receive Livelihood Benefits in Capital Goods worth P50,000 each. In Western Visayas alone, a total of 70 former rebels have already availed and benefited from this program. The government is sincere in its belief that providing sustainable livelihood to former rebels will open the way for their reintegration into mainstream society.
In a peace message delivered during the ceremony, Major Gen. Porto commends the success of the SIP in that “it has grown leaps and bounds as the previous recipients themselves are the ones encouraging their former comrades to avail of the program. This is a huge development in attaining our goal of diminishing the communist terrorist threat in the Visayas and through peaceful means at that.”
The 3rd Infantry Division and its subordinate units all over Western Visayas are openly encouraging those who want to avail of the Government’s Social Integration Program. Major Gen. Porto, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, expressed his delight at the continued success of the SIP and that through SIP we are achieving our mission in Panay through peaceful means by bringing back our prodigal brothers to the fold.