Lawyer turned social welfare exec Erickson C. Luz encourages former rebels to “trust the government, trust the system,” in a radio interview with AFP’s Katropa Radio. He now heads the Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa Program - National Program Management Office (PDBBM-NPMO) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
"Trust the government, trust the system. The government is here. It will support you," Atty. Erickson C. Luz told former rebels (FRs) who are in the process of social reintegration following their surrender to authorities. The newly minted director is the Program Manager of the Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa Program - National Program Management Office (PDBBM-NPMO) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In his recent interview for the program “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago” which aired on AFP Radio DWDD on July 4, 2024, Director Luz assured the government's commitment to help former rebels (FRs) and former violent extremists (FVEs) reintegrate into the mainstream society through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Luz said DSWD’s genuine concern for the welfare of FRs and FVEs is manifested by the recent upgrade of the Program Management Unit to the National Program Management Office. This upgrade aims to formalize collaborations with other government agencies as part of the whole-of-nation approach to ending insurgency peacefully and monitoring the implementation of Peace and Development programs in the country.
“To further support ‘yong effort ng E-CLIP, lahat po ng tulong ng DSWD consolidated na po dito sa office namin para po yung office namin will ensure na nakatutok po,” He elaborated.
The DSWD plays a crucial role in the Task Force Balik-Loob, a multi-agency body mandated to assist FRs and FVEs towards social reintegration. It provides a wide range of support, including counseling, social assistance, transportation, and cash aid. Additionally, eligible FRs can receive up to PHP 20,000 through the Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) to help them become financially independent. For 2024, a total of 349 rebel returnees were assisted by the DSWD through its various programs.
Director Luz also mentioned that their office is developing a module under the Case Management Program that aims to expand the number of case managers available to assist the former rebels and violent extremists.
He encouraged former rebels to become advocates for peace within their communities and use their experiences to help prevent others from being drawn into conflict. “Tuloy-tuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng DSWD at ng iba't ibang member agencies para po tuloy-tuloy ang suporta ng pamahalaan po sa inyo. At kung mayroon kayong mga kaibigan na pwedeng mahikayat at makikita naman nila ang pagbabago, baka makatulong kayo sa pagpapaliwanag sa mga inyong dating kasamahan na bumalik na rin sa society.”
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