LUNA, Apayao – “Kunatayo ikkan tayo iti 500,000 pesos dagiti agsubli iti abrasa ti gobyerno, nangina agpaysu ngem ti saludsod ko, mano kadi iti kandidad ti maysa a biag? Awan ti kantidad nga maitutop iti maysa a biag,” the Department of National Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro emphasized this during his talk on Wednesday, November 22 at the Balik-Loob program of the provincial government.
The secretary explained that countless benefits shall come from having to sacrifice an amount for peace and order, and that the incentive given to rebels returning to the fold of the government is with a purpose as the money is to be used by the surrenderees to start a new life and as a capital for their livelihood.
Six former rebels and 1 informant were awarded cash grants during the event amounting to a total of PhP4,000,000 – a big amount as promised by the provincial government under its Executive Order 22-2022.
This was made possible through the initiative of Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. and Congresswoman Leah Bulut-Begtang to help end local communism in Apayao through various means.
The cash reward is only one of the many programs of the provincial government including the Apayao Socio-economic Efforts Needed for Growth and Apayao (ASENG) to Student Assistance Program (ASAP) which provide scholarships, livelihood grants, educational aid, and others to help families not only of the underprivileged but also those of the former rebels.
In his speech, Teodoro condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army ideology, underlining that what they were fighting for was but falsehood and they are but a menace to society.
Teodoro emphasized that the right ideology is one of unity, which will lead to progress, advancement in technology, connectivity, infrastructure, food security, and energy security.
The defense secretary commended the provincial government and local government units of Apayao in their efforts to beef up security operations against terrorist groups in order to put a stop to the insurgency.
It can be recalled that Governor Bulut has courageously expressed his dedication to preserving safety and peace in Apayao Province, saying that he would even lay down his life for the safety of yApayaos.
“Uray isu pakatayak, aramidek nu para ti pagsayaatan ti kailiak,” Bulut said at the inauguration ceremony of a newly constructed multi-purpose gymnasium in Barangay Manag, Conner, Apayao on Monday.
Congresswoman Bulut-Begtang, meantime, expressed gratitude to the returnees for their decision to once again be one with the government, and praised the sincerity of the government’s leaders for their efforts in maintaining public safety, security, growth, and development.
“Agyamanak unay kadakayu nga nagsubli iti poder ti gobyerno, ket daytoy nga agdang dagiti leaders ti mangipakita ti sinseridad ti gobyerno,” said the legislator. By PIO Apayao
