𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

29 October 2024 (Samar) – The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) conducted an orientation of the government’s amnesty program at the 87th Infantry (Hinirang) Battalion’s Camp, marking a significant moment as barangay chairmen and officials were invited for the first time to learn about their vital role in the program’s implementation.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis T. Rugayan emphasized the importance of barangay officials taking a proactive stance in encouraging former rebels (FRs) and remnants of active Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in Eastern Visayas to avail themselves of the amnesty program. The forum received strong support from local leaders, including Vice Mayor Christal Jean Elizalde of San Jose de Buan, Mr. Aspiro B Badiola from Motiong, Police Staff Sergeant Roberto L Costambienes of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Ms. Alma Gabin, President of the Eastern Visayas Peace Builders Development Federation (EVPBDF), along with various barangay officials.

Facilitated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the event fostered interactive dialogue with peacebuilders and families of active CTGs. Atty. Ma. Victoria Cardona of the NAC concluded the forum by calling for collective support for the amnesty program, underscoring its commitment to ending insurgency and promoting peace, development, and resilience in San Jose de Buan and surrounding municipalities. As a gesture of support for local initiatives, peacebuilders were provided food packs by the Province of Samar, under the leadership of Governor Sharee Ann T. Tan, who serves as Chairperson of the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Samar for FRs seeking to participate in the amnesty program.

Following the forum, Lieutenant Colonel Rugayan led the NAC team on a tour of the “Saad na Balay” housing project for peacebuilders in San Jose de Buan. This initiative, conceptualized by Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, aims to provide decent homes to FRs and their families. The project is initially set to support 17 houses, funded by the Provincial Government of Samar and the Municipal Government of San Jose de Buan.

Under a Memorandum of Partnership Agreement, supplies and materials are provided by various partners, including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Chair Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez. Additionally, skills training and capacity-building activities are offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Agriculture (DA). Land ownership issues are managed by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), and construction is jointly undertaken by Army engineers, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the PNP, and the peacebuilders themselves. The OPAPRU oversees the social preparation activities and continues to monitor the project to ensure social cohesion and the establishment of local conflict resolution mechanisms.

Out of the 17 target houses, 10 are already occupied, 4 are completed, and 3 are undergoing final touches. Lieutenant Colonel Rugayan expressed hope that all 17 units will be awarded to peacebuilders by December 2024.

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