“TFBL Chairperson and Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon graced the opening ceremony of the People’s Organization Summit and Capacity Training for Former Rebels at the PCSD Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute from July 30 - 31, 2024.”

TFBL Chairperson and DND Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon led a two-day People’s Organization Summit and Capacity Training for former rebels at the PCSD Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute in Brgy. Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, from July 30 - 31, 2024. 

The two-day training, facilitated by Acting TFBL Executive Director CAPT Ferdinand C. Buscato (GSC) PN, and other representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Palawan, 3rd Marine Brigade, and Land Bank of the Philippines, focused on enhancing the former rebels’ skills in cooperative management and project proposal development. Participants also received support packages of farm kits from the Department of Agriculture, TFBL shirts and magazines, and information on amnesty applications from the National Amnesty Commission.

Usec. De Leon emphasized the importance of both individual and organizational productivity for community development, beyond receiving aid from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), former rebels must also develop project management skills to become productive individuals and contribute to their communities’ long-term prosperity.

“...komprehensibo po ang gusto nating mangyari. Hindi po yung pag nakapagbibigay tayo ng kaukulang tulong ay tapos na po. Gusto namin po ay sana maging produktibo. Hindi lamang tayo bilang isang indibidwal kung hindi bilang isang organization. Dahil kung maging produktibo po kayo bilang indibidwal, maging produktibo po kayo bilang organization, makakapagbibigay tulong po kayo sa pag-unlad ng inyong komunidad at ng bansang Pilipinas,” the Chairperson stated. 

Moreover, the DND Undersecretary committed to ongoing engagement and support, promising that the capacity training would serve as a pioneer project to guide future initiatives.

“Umasa po kayo na sa pamamagitan ng Task Force Balik-Loob at ng inyong mga leader, kami po ay parating makikipag-ugnayan para malaman po kung ano ang mga dapat gawin. Ito pong training ng people's organizations to cooperative activities ay seryosohin po natin ito dahil ang aking instruction sa Task Force Balik-Loob, ito po ay gagawin namin isang ‘pioneer project’ para malaman natin ang kinakailangan ng mga People's Organizations natin para maging maunlad at maging paki-pakinabang lalong-lalo na para sa ating mga former rebels,” he said.

Additionally, the TFBL team also met with the Palawan E-CLIP committee and Atty. Joshua Bolusa, Provincial Legal Officer and representative of Governor Victorino Socrates on July 30, for updates regarding the status of former rebels in the province at the Provincial Capitol Palawan. They also visited a halfway house in the area for briefing and inspection. 

KADRE Palawan President Jerwin Castigador accompanied the TFBL team to present handmade slippers as their primary product for business. KADRE Palawan is expected to submit its project proposal by August 2024.

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