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Officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) meet with the representatives of the Office of Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity to strengthen their partnership in the implementation of social protection programs for KAPATIRAN members on January 23.
Officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) meet with the representatives of the Office of Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity to strengthen their partnership in the implementation of social protection programs for KAPATIRAN members on January 23.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been working closely with the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) to support the reintegration of the KAPATIRAN members into the society through the continuous provision and monitoring of social protection programs. KAPATIRAN is composed of former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade – Tabara Paduano Group (RPM/P-RPA/ABB-TPG).

The DSWD and OPAPRU conducted a sit-down meeting on Monday, January 23, to strengthen their partnership for the succeeding implementing years. Essentially, the agencies envision a mechanism that will ensure the sustainability and stable progress of the grants and other subsidies being provided to the beneficiaries. This includes psychosocial services conducted by the DSWD-Program Management Bureau, and livelihood settlement and reinforcement grants extended by the DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program.

To date, all 727 members of the 12 KAPATIRAN Chapters were provided with livelihood settlement grants.

As the lead agency in social protection, the DSWD recognized the importance of a comprehensive case management program to better address the needs of the beneficiaries and further empower them and their families and communities. Likewise, the Department noted that there are gender-differentiated and peculiar needs of former women rebels that need to be responded to.

The bilateral meeting concluded with definite steps towards the inclusion of gender and peace-sensitivity dimensions, the prioritization of children in conflict, the development of livelihood programs, and the enhancement of psychosocial interventions to further support the KAPATIRAN members.

Meanwhile, in his message, DSWD Officer-in-Charge Eduardo M. Punay expressed his gratitude to OPAPRU for its continued support and guidance in the implementation of various peace programs of the Department.

“Let’s work hand in hand to sustain the government’s efforts in attaining just and lasting peace by following through with our commitments in the peace tables,” he added.

The DSWD and the OPAPRU committed to serve as instruments of peace and development not only for the KAPATIRAN but also, to the overall peace campaign of the Philippine government. ###