Around 60 former rebels benefited from the skills and livelihood program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Barangay Tina, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur around 9 a.m. on March 8.1Lt. Jonald Romorosa, civil-military operations officer of the 36th IB, said the training was done with the collaboration with the provincial government of Surigao del Sur and the 36th IB. The rebels were mostly from the towns of San Miguel and Lanuza with eight females and 50 males.
They are the beneficiaries of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in October 2018.
Tesda provincial director Rey Cueva said, “this activity is a continuation of their reintegration program assistance and anchored on the administrative order 10 which is the prioritization of the former rebels to give livelihood and skills.
“Our intent is to give hope and make them feel that the government and other stakeholders are looking after them and committed to pursuing peace and development efforts in their community,” Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, commanding officer of 36th IB, said.
“The most important thing is their acceptance and their commitment to the government to become resilient individuals in order to contribute to the attainment of just and lasting peace in the province,” he added.
Florencio Sunico Jr., regional director of Tesda-Caraga, said the government can only do so much but it’s still up to the former rebels to change their fate.
The former rebels were trained on welding and small engine repair. Their employment after graduation will also be facilitated by the government.
