Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has told members of the House Committee on Appropriations that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has given a Php500 million fund allocation for setting-up of regional offices to oversee the reintegration of non-state armed groups and former rebels.
“So, ang good news po namin, nakipag-usap kami sa DBM, at this budget season, binigyan po tayo ng allocation na Php500 million to jumpstart our regional program management office for the Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) cluster under Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay,” Secretary Gatchalian said during the August 21 budget hearing for the DSWD’s proposed 2025 budget.
The DSWD chief also informed the members of the Appropriations Committee that the agency continues to improve programs and services for peace and development, particularly on case management of former rebels and decommissioned combatants.
“Una sa lahat, tuloy-tuloy po yung payout namin na sa mga rebel returnees. Based on the targets identified by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), they give to us, we disburse. Pero sa isang hearing sa Senado, na-point out namin na may gap doon sa mekanismo, walang nagke-case manage.” Secretary Gatchalian said in response to House Deputy Majority leader Erwin Tulfo when asked about the agency’s programs for rebel returnees.
Emphasizing the DSWD’s commitment to complement financial grants and other assistance to rebel-returnees, Secretary Gatchalian said the agency developed an aftercare case management mechanism to ensure and monitor sustained deradicalization and reintegration of the sector into their communities and families.
“Ano ho ang mandato nitong mga gagawin nating mga regional offices? Ipa-pilot po natin siya sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao areas, para masigurado ho natin na yung mga na-decomission, yung mga nabayaran na ay nasusubaybayan,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
According to the DSWD chief, the pilot will be conducted across three regional offices in Mindanao to assess the extent of assistance and support it can provide to the well-being of non-state armed groups and former rebels, as well as leading them back to society as law-abiding and productive citizens.
“It’s a pilot, but once we see the progress in it as it pans out, because we know that the case management for former combatants is quite different, we will now use the experience there and expand it all throughout the country,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The regional offices are also eyeing to deploy 400 social workers to exclusively handle case management for the rebel returnees, according to the DSWD Secretary.
The case management approach is under the DSWD’s Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) Program which aims to streamline the agency’s long-term commitment to look after the welfare and livelihood of former members of various non-state groups, violent extremist groups, and adults and children in armed conflict situations.#