Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles hailed the government for its efforts to provide employment opportunities to former rebels, as he underlined that doing so is crucial in their reintegration into society.
“The livelihood and employment programs extended by the government to former rebels is important so that they could be productive members of the community,” Nograles, the chair of the House of Representatives’ labor and employment committee said.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) recently said that around 10,000 former rebels have benefited from the Department of Labor and Employment’s “Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa ating mga Disadvantage Workers” (TUPAD) program.
“Ultimately, I believe that it isn’t physical force that will put an end to insurgency, but our collective effort to address its root causes. I am hopeful that with the government’s attempts to address poverty through job generation, education, health care, etc., we will see a new dawn of peace in our communities.”
Nograles said that providing jobs to former rebels would give them renewed hope.
“Mahalaga ang mga trabahong ito dahil nabibigyan ng panibagong pag-asa ang mga dating rebelde na makakapamuhay nang marangal ang kanilang mga pamilya,” he said.
The lawmaker also urged the government to provide continued support to former rebels until they find sustainable livelihood.
“A stable means of livelihood would dissuade former rebels from returning to insurgency. Kailangang maipakita natin na mas maganda ang buhay na bahagi ng komunidad,” he said.
Nograles also expressed hope that the country’s insurgency problem would end soon.
“Ultimately, I believe that it isn’t physical force that will put an end to insurgency, but our collective effort to address its root causes. I am hopeful that with the government’s attempts to address poverty through job generation, education, health care, etc., we will see a new dawn of peace in our communities,” the solon said.
