Valencia City, Bukidnon – In a significant move towards community reintegration, two former rebels, now referred to as Friends Rescued (FRs), engaged in an interface with Honorable Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, Barangay Laligan Punong Barangay Jose P. Magallanes Jr., and representatives from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and City Agriculture Office. The activity, facilitated by City Local Government Operations Officer (CLGOO) Jan Eric L. Manasan, is part of the ongoing efforts to reintegrate FRs into society following their completion of the three-month Deradicalization Program under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
The event also saw the presence of Program Manager Jay Niel C. Añasco of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bukidnon Provincial Office, alongside personnel from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
As part of the reintegration process, the City Government of Valencia, through the CSWDO, distributed essential food packs to the FRs to help address their immediate needs. Additionally, the City Agriculture Office has committed to providing agricultural inputs and materials to support the FRs in rebuilding their livelihoods and ensuring sustainable sources of income.
The City Government, under the leadership of Mayor Huervas, remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting FRs as they transition back into mainstream society. These efforts form part of a broader initiative to foster peace and development in Valencia City by ensuring that former combatants are given opportunities to lead productive and self-sufficient lives.
The reintegration of FRs underscores the commitment of local government units and relevant agencies to creating inclusive communities where former rebels can contribute to nation-building and economic development.
