Agusan Sur peace center launched
PATIN-AY, Agusan del Sur , Philippines — Sixty-four former rebels took an oath of allegiance to the country during the launch of the Kalinow Peace Center in this province on Friday last week.
The launch was led by Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.
Cane thanked the former rebels for giving peace and development a chance to prevail, not only in the province but throughout the country.
He urged them to support efforts aimed at putting an end to communist insurgency by persuading their former comrades to surrender and return to the fold of the law.
During the ceremony, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, through its enhanced comprehensive local integration program, turned over financial assistance worth P1.44 million to former rebels.
The Department of Health distributed hygiene and sleeping kits, while the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. handed over membership IDs.
In support of the peace center, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) provided the provincial government P8 million in funding for the facility’s operations.
Galvez said the OPAPRU, through its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program, would implement P210 million worth of high-impact, community-level infrastructure projects.
He cited the significance of the Kalinow Peace Center to peace and development efforts of the provincial government.
He said the P8 million would enable the peace center to implement deradicalization programs, localized peace engagements and livelihood initiatives.
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