CEBU CITY: The Visayas Command (Viscom) has facilitated the granting of about PHP500,000 in livelihood assistance to a people's organization formed by former members of the New People's Army (NPA). Maj. Joe Patrick Martinez, commander of 3rd Civil Relations Group based in Camp Lapu-Lapu here, said the organization was formalized through the help of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) on May 6. He said the Lawaan Farmers and Livestock Association headed by Flor Lingues based in the mountain barangay of Lawaan in Danao City received the check worth PHP483,000. It will use the amount to finance its hog-raising project. "The assistance is not just financial but it symbolizes starting anew their lives in the mainstream society," Lingues told the Philippine News Agency. She assured that the cash grant would be properly used for the benefit of their members. The grant was handed over to the organization by DOLE-7 Regional Director Lilia Estillore, assisted by Lawaan Barangay Captain Shirley Ramos, along with the officials from Viscom, 3rd Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the 14th Civil Military Operations Battalion. Martinez said Viscom also assisted former rebels in the sustainment effort to prevent the resurgence of insurgency and for them to become stable and resilient in warding off the influence of communist terrorist groups. Source: Philippines News Agency
