NEARLY 28K EX-REBELS REINTEGRATED UNDER PBBM ADMINISTRATION — NTF-ELCAC

NEARLY 28,000 former rebels and their dependents have returned to the fold of the law since July 2022, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration continues to prioritize reintegration programs aimed at providing livelihood opportunities, education, and other government assistance.

In a Facebook post of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), data from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) showed that 27,897 former rebels and their dependents received approximately P1 billion in government assistance from July 2022 to October 2026.

During the 10th NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee meeting at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, President Marcos directed concerned government agencies to prioritize the Transformation Program, which provides livelihood opportunities, educational assistance, and other support to help former rebels reintegrate into their communities.

The program also extends assistance to their families, with at least 3,911 dependents receiving scholarships under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Educational Assistance Program.

The government has also established 4,713 people’s organizations to strengthen community participation and expand economic opportunities for former rebels and their families.

The reintegration efforts form part of the administration’s broader peace and development agenda, which seeks to address the socioeconomic conditions in conflict-affected communities through improved access to basic services and sustainable livelihoods.

Under the Barangay Development Program, the government has allocated P44.9 billion for development projects covering 5,638 of the 9,750 identified isolated areas.

These projects include 978 classrooms, 1,601 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, 1,182 water and sanitation systems, and 556 health stations, benefiting an estimated 16.08 million Filipinos.

The Marcos administration continues to pursue reintegration and community development initiatives aimed at providing former rebels and their families with opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute to lasting peace.