Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) here through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) oriented the new barangay officials of seven barangays on their roles in the implementation of the Provincial Livelihood Program for Rebel Returnees of the provincial government last Thursday, July 26 at the Multi-Purpose Hall Building in this capital town.
Currently, there are 27 beneficiaries of the program who are from barangays Bekigan, Betwagan, Belwang and Saclit of the town of Sadanga; Can-eo and Mainit of the capital town of Bontoc and Pudo of Natonin.
Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. underscored the significant roles of the barangay officials in the implementation of the support program that aims to provide livelihood to former rebels in exchange for community services to support their families. He said that they are the partners of the provincial government in the barangay level, whose roles includes the proper supervision and guidance to the program’s recipients and ensure that the necessary documents for grant incentives as required by the provincial government are met.
With this, the PLGU of Mountain Province thru Governor Lacwasan renewed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the former rebels and was signed by the newly elected barangay captains.
Under the MOA, the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) will be in mutual agreement with the provincial government as to the work schedule. The BLGU as represented by the Barangay Captain will certify to the correctness of the services rendered through the signing of Daily Time Record and Accomplishment Report to support the recipient’s claim of honorarium. The barangay officials shall also monitor any violations in the agreement and report it to the provincial government if there is any.
Lacwasan said that the provincial government will continue to earmark an amount from the provincial government’s annual budget to sustain the program since the yearly assessment and evaluation that is being conducted by the PSWDO shows a positive impact of the program not only to the recipients and their families but to the community as a whole.
Under the program, each recipient will receive an honorarium of Php 5,500.00 per month based from the actual working days in exchange of community services rendered as stipulated in the MOA. From a monthly honorarium of Php 5,000.00, it was raised to 5,500.00 per month this year.
The new barangay officials have assured their utmost support to the livelihood program of the provincial government since it is beneficial to the former rebels and their family.
They urged the recipients to follow the guidelines that are stipulated in the MOA since the provincial government is sincere in supporting their integration into the mainstream of the society.
“Your elected barangay officials, being the partners of the provincial government are more than happy to do our part, in return, you must continue to do your part as productive members of the community,” Betwagan Barangay Captain Agustin Agpawan said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Rosalinda T. Belagan cautioned the recipients on the grounds for termination that is specified in the MOA. According to her, the recipients of the program may be terminated should he/she maintains his relationship with the underground movement as stipulated in the MOA. She added that benefits will also be terminated when the beneficiary refuses to send his/her children to school and if he/she refuses or fails to live within the norms of society.
In another development, the provincial government in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will soon be conducting a bread-making training for the former rebels to upgrade their skills and to provide a wider range of livelihood opportunities. **Erwin S. Batnag
