DSWD provides package of services to former rebels, other extremist groups

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 during the Thursday Media Forum on July 18 at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.

“Ang case management po ay instruction ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian noong sya ay pumasok sa DSWD. 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,” DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay told reporters at the media forum.

Undersecretary Tanjusay 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 look 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,” Usec. Tanjusay pointed out.

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.

Usec. Tanjusay also discussed in the Media Forum the accomplishments of the DSWD’s various programs and services for former members of various 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 some 1,241 conflict vulnerable areas (CVAs); shelter assistance to the municipalities of Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte; and Tungawan and Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Some 60,634 households, according to the undersecretary, also benefited from the 221 community projects using the Community Driven Development technology.

“Ang PAMANA ay may tatlong bahagi. Mayroong modified shelter assistance program, PAMANA-Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), at panghuli ay mayroon kaming PAMANA-Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP),” Usec. Tanjusay explained.

The PAMANA, as one of the modalities of 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 No. 70, series of 2018, the agency has provided a package of services to some 516 FRs, four former violent extremists (FVEs), and two children involved in armed conflict (CIAC).

“Bukod sa PAMANA ay mayroon din po kaming tulong sa whole-of-nation approach. Tumutulong kami sa sumusuko na dating miyembro ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CCP-NPA), ng Abu Sayyaf group, at extremist terrorist groups,” Usec. Tanjusay said.

These include Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), SLP, psychosocial intervention, and social pension, among others.

According to Usec. Tanjusay, the agency is also providing family food packs (FFPs) and other relief assistance during disasters.

“Hindi sila exempted sa mga disaster, hindi sila exempted sa mga calamities,” the undersecretary stressed.

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 (CDC), and health centers, among others.

“Nagbigay ang DSWD ng Php1 million para itayo yung CDC. Ang CDC ay kahilingan ng KAPATIRAN group dahil mayroon na silang mga anak, ang iba sa kanila ay may apo na. Ang CDC ay isa sa pamamaraan natin upang maputol na yung intergenerational cycle of violence,” Usec. Tanjusay said.

The DSWD undersecretary added that 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, Usec. Tanjusay said poverty is one of the main reasons why they enter various non-state groups, violent extremist groups. #